Richmond Mayor Ron Oler thinks some cities put their comprehensive plans on a shelf after developing them, and doesn’t intend to let that happen here.
“We’re working the comprehensive plan; that’s the best part,” Oler said Oct. 29 after the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission voted 7-0 to recommend Richmond Common Council approve the update of the existing 2019 plan. “We’re actually doing what’s in there, and we’ve done what’s in there, and we’ll continue to do what’s in there.”
HWC Engineering developed the update with input from a steering committee and public-input session. Rachel Christenson and Jennifer Barclay of HWC presented the update to plan commission during its Sept. 24 meeting. The update crosses off some completed goals, such as moving the city’s permit process online and a rebranding project, and replaces them with additional goals.
“Definitely pleased with the process and the outcome,” Oler said. “By not waiting a decade to start from scratch, making it a refresh within five years, made it a little easier process, more cost-effective process, more efficient, and really updated the land use.”
No residents spoke during a public hearing before plan commission’s vote.
Ken Paust, a plan commission member, said the well-thought-out plan is perfectly timed because of changes coming to Richmond and its downtown. Paust made the motion in support of the plan.
“Richmond is on the move, and I can’t wait to see all of this implemented,” Paust said.
In addition to establishing goals and steps to reach them, the plan includes a land-use map that identifies areas in the city for each of eight uses: central neighborhood, traditional neighborhood, urban mixed-use, commercial, industrial, community services, agriculture/rural residential, and parks, open spaces and natural areas. The slight changes react to uses developing since the plan’s origin.
The city’s planning department uses the map to guide the city’s growth. One criteria for zoning variance requests is if the request fits the comprehensive plan. Oler said developers look at the plan on the city’s website.
“Updating the land use is really important,” Oler said. “It will show developers that we’re ready for more investment. So definitely updating the land use is huge.”
The plan update will next be presented to common council for its consideration. The plan draft is available online at wwn.to/ricompplan25.
A version of this article appeared in the November 5 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.