City of Beloit Comprehensive Planning Program Underway

The Beloit Planning Commission is conducting a Comprehensive Planning Program. The Program includes preparing a new Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations and a Community Housing Study for the City. A new Comprehensive Plan will provide a 10- and 25-year forecast of population and household characteristics, a Land Use Plan capable of addressing both the development and redevelopment and economic potentials of the City and public facility and utility and transportation needs. The Plan will also address the parks and open space needs of the City and examine the historic uniqueness of Beloit, providing recommendations for historic preservation and revitalization activities.

"A new Comprehensive Plan will fit perfect with other community and economic development goals, objectives and activities currently underway and planned for Beloit, Kansas," according to Glenn Rodden, City Administrator.

A Beloit Community Housing Study will include important population, income and economic data, a housing stock analysis, strategies for affordable housing development, a 10-Year "Housing Action Plan" and funding options for future owner and rental housing development and housing rehabilitation projects.

"The identification of needed new and improved housing stock in the Community will greatly aid in the recruitment and expansion of business and industry, by meeting employee's housing needs, as well as provide housing for City's elderly and special needs population," states Rodden. "Housing is economic development and Beloit has the potential to add new housing stock of various price products as well as improve existing housing."

The citizens of Beloit will have the opportunity to participate directly in the Comprehensive Planning Program, by completing an upcoming survey and attending public informational meetings.

The Planning Commission is being assisted by Hanna:Keelan Associates, P.C., a community planning and research consulting firm, in its 36th year of serving Communities and Counties. Hanna:Keelan works extensively in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and North and South Dakota preparing comprehensive plans, zoning regulations, housing studies, downtown and redevelopment plans and assisting Communities in building both family and elderly housing. Hanna:Keelan is being assisted by Kirkham Michael Consulting Engineers, of Ellsworth, Kansas.

Any questions and/or comments regarding the Beloit Comprehensive Planning Program can be directed to Glenn Rodden, 785.738.2551, grodden@beloitks.org, or Chris Jones, City Code Enforcement Officer, 785.738,3553, cjones@beloitks.org, or Tim Keelan, Hanna:Keelan, 888.252.6897, or tkeelan@hannakeelan.com.