Engagement process – what is a comprehensive plan and how does it work?

A Comprehensive Plan is the document that translates community input and ideas into actions that affect City budgets, ordinances, and growth.  A Plan investigates the future and guides the Village on action steps for today.  The Plan is a declaration of the Village’s values, desires, and vision of what the future holds. 

Plan Limitations:  While future goal setting is important, the Village cannot truly foresee all probabilities.  The Plan will help to prioritize actions so Edgar can maintain a high quality of life and be financially resilient through ever-changing economic circumstances.  It is mandatory for this plan to be viewed with flexibility and common sense. 

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

The Comprehensive Plan serves as a blueprint for Village decision-making and outlines a strategic direction for future development. It directly influences Village budgets, policies, ordinances, and capital improvement decisions.

While it’s not possible to predict every challenge ahead, this Plan will help Edgar navigate changing conditions while preserving quality of life and financial resilience. Flexibility and common sense are essential in applying its recommendations.

Who Uses the Comprehensive Plan?

• Citizens: Submit development and zoning proposals
• Village Board: Make informed policy decisions
• Village Staff: Provide zoning and land use recommendations
• Planning & Zoning Commission: Recommend development strategies

Plan Values

Sustainability: Promote well-being and equity for current and future generations by encouraging green space, mixed-use development, and resource protection.

Equity: Recognize the inherent worth of all residents by ensuring access to opportunity and community participation.

Health: Shape community design to encourage physical activity, reduce pollution, and support mental well-being.

Adaptability: Prepare for changes including climate impact, workforce automation, and technological shifts.

Public Engagement Methods

• Community Meetings: Shared background information and collected feedback
• Edgar Forward Website: Served as project hub with surveys and engagement tools
• Pop-Ins: Village staff attended local events to share information and hear feedback

Actively involving community members in development, Edgar’s Comprehensive Plan was a primary objective.  Broad public engagements helped to ensure that the Comprehensive Plan accurately reflects the visions, goals, and values of our community. 

Community Meetings

Community meetings were held to provide background information and gather input on key issues.

Edgar Forward Website

The Edgar Forward website served as the project’s hub for information and engagement.  The site had X visitors throughout the project.  Many surveys were conducted and available on the website during each phase of the process. 

Pop-ins

Staff attended various events and meetings in the community and provided information and received feedback.