The City of Urbana opened its doors to residents on Thursday evening at the city hall for a public hearing on the revised draft of its “Imagine Urbana” comprehensive plan.
“Imagine Urbana” is a document that serves as a guide for the city’s next few decades. It outlines strategies for policy, zoning, infrastructure development and community services.
The plan’s vision, according to the current draft, labels Urbana as “a welcoming community for everyone.” The plan categorizes the city’s future into four big ideas — the city should be financially and environmentally “resilient,” culturally vibrant with character, connected by its neighborhoods and “a place for everyone.”
The document expands upon these big ideas with 11 “big moves” the city will take to illuminate those ideas.
Some initiatives include addressing housing needs, driving economic growth in downtown Urbana, expanding arts and culture programs, creating more walkability and advancing a “clean and green” community with “environmentally resilient” infrastructure.
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Kevin Garcia, Urbana’s principal planner, said the plan has been in development for nearly five years and is a guide toward the city’s next 20 years.
“When finalized, ‘Imagine Urbana’ will serve as the city’s guide for city policy, infrastructure and planning decisions in the years ahead,” said Urbana Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin in a statement.
Marlin said the plan provides a framework to promote quality of life for residents through “innovative, sustainable and fiscally responsible growth.”
Urbana residents packed the hall, eager to voice their opinions on the plan’s draft. Sherry Steigmann expressed her dislike of the city’s high tax rates compared to Champaign County.
“Fix the potholes,” Steigmann said.
Another resident, Veronica Falcon, agreed with Steigmann’s complaint regarding the potholes and voiced her frustrations on the conditions of Urbana roadways.
“There’s very poor lighting on roads,” Falcon said. “(Specifically) on Bradley Avenue.”
Other locals, like Zach Soleck, spoke to the inclusiveness of the draft’s walkability initiatives. He expressed concerns over eastern and southern Urbana and how they might be left out of the conversation.
“I would really like to emphasize the importance of keeping these areas in discussion,” Soleck said.
A few residents collectively called on the city to “lean into housing cooperatives,” sharing that it was just as good an investment as low-income housing. They commented on how housing cooperatives are not only low-income accessible but also build a sense of community while cultivating ideas of green living.
Attendees then turned the conversation to question accessibility in community spaces.
Soop Leish, another taxpayer, voiced their opposition to labeling golf courses in country clubs as “green spaces,” as they’re not publicly accessible and require payment. They continued by requesting the city to invest in green spaces that are free and available to all inhabitants.
While there were many criticisms throughout the evening, residents communicated that critiquing the draft came from a place of good intentions.
“In general, I think the values in the plan are good,” said Patricia Jones, Urbana resident.
Jones’ comment illustrated what most residents expressed at the hearing, which was wanting better for their city. Another townsperson, Tim Hartin, agreed with Jones.
“We are committed to long-term vitality in Urbana,” Hartin said.
Other folks, like Dennis Roberts, shared their pride over the city, from the architecture to the history.
“We have a unique downtown,” Roberts said. “It’s kind of a gem. We have to love it and carefully.”
Roberts suggested bringing cultural centers from the University to downtown Urbana to host events, live performances or to have festivals as a means to share and appreciate different cultures. He coined it “the international festival.”
Andrea Ruedi, Urbana’s senior adviser for integrated strategy development, expressed the importance of resident participation in the public hearing and the process of providing feedback on the draft in a statement.
“Input from the hearing will be used to refine ‘Imagine Urbana’ for the Urbana Plan Commission’s final review,” Reudi said.
Residents can continue posting their comments directly on the online draft version of “Imagine Urbana” or by emailing their feedback to imagineurbana@urbanail.gov.
According to Garcia, March 27 will be the next “special meeting” for the plan commission to continue community discussion of the draft.
“No plan recommendation will be made until at least the end of the month,” Garcia said.
