By Justin Golbabai, Long Range Planning Administrator
Planning for the growth and development of a city is similar to planning for any journey – it begins with knowing the starting point and the final destination. Based on those points, you can make appropriate plans and preparations and then set out knowing that adjustments will be necessary along the way.
The 2009-2030 Comprehensive Plan is the city’s policy roadmap to plan, anticipate, and guide growth and development over 20 years. It’s been 10 years since the plan’s adoption, and it’s time to reassess and discuss where the city should go in the next decade. We’re calling this process The Next 10.
Focus on the Future Workshops
Community input is an essential part of The Next 10. Next week, we will conduct a series of four identical workshops at locations across College Station to gather your input on the city’s present and future growth patterns. We encourage you to attend the most convenient session.
The 90-minute meetings will consider the conditions and trends facing our community and feature small groups to generate insight about your desired outcomes. Whether you are living, working, attending school, or raising a family in College Station, your perspective is vital to the plan’s success.
Here’s the meeting schedule:
Monday, Sept. 23
>> 7-8:30 p.m., Southwood Valley Elementary Cafeteria (2700 Brothers Blvd.)
Tuesday, Sept. 24
>> 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., CSU Meeting & Training Facility (1601 Graham Road)
>> 7-8:30 p.m., Forest Ridge Elementary Cafeteria (1950 Greens Prairie Road)
Wednesday, Sept 25
>> 7-8:30 p.m., Oakwood Intermediate School Cafeteria (106 Holik St.)
If you plan to attend, RSVP on the workshop Facebook page.
College Station is committed to updating its policies to address the issues of today and prepare for those that may arise in the future. By participating in the process, you can help evaluate the city’s direction in light of current trends and community values and to proactively address topics that are important to you.
You don’t have to be an expert, either. You only have to care about your community.
We’ll start analyzing the data we’ve gathered in December and start laying out the plan in the spring. We hope to present a final draft to the city council next summer.
For more information and to sign-up for email updates, visit cstx.gov/TheNext10.
About the Blogger
Long Range Planning Administrator Justin Golbabai, AICP CNU-A has been with the City of College Station since 2016. He previously served the City of Austin for nine years in various capacities, most recently as Neighborhood Partnering Program manager. Justin has also worked for the cities of Savannah (Ga.) and Overland Park (Kan.). A native of Windsor, Conn., he received a master’s in public administration from the University of Kansas in 2006, and a bachelor’s in economics and sociology from The University of Notre Dame in 2004.
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