Comprehensive Plan
The Comprehensive Development Plan is a document that addresses land use, land development, expansion and preservation of city streets, structures and services, economic development and tourism, housing, historic preservation, transportation, and recreation. The policies embodied in the plan are developed through the use of citizen input techniques, community meetings, Planning Commission review and City Commission adoption. In order for a Comprehensive Plan to be relevant, it needs to remain current! The Comprehensive Plan underwent a full scale update by the City to make necessary adjustments to the 2006 adopted plan. This page documents that process.
The Abilene Comprehensive Plan 2024-2045 was adopted by the Abilene Planning Commission on January 16, 2024, and approved by the Abilene City Commission on January 22, 2024, by Ordinance No. 24-3443.
The final Comprehensive Plan 2024-2045 can be viewed here and on the city website.
Abilene Park System Master Plan 2024-2045
View a draft of the Abilene Park System Master Plan here.
The City of Abilene Planning Commission is also working with Foster Design Associates, LLC., city staff, Steering Committee members, and the community to prepare a Park System Master Plan for 2024-2045. On February 6, 2024, the Abilene Planning Commission and the Abilene Recreation Commission will review the Abilene Park System Master Plan 2024-2045. The plan will then be voted on by the Abilene Recreation Commission on February 12, 2024; if approved, the plan will then be presented to the City Commission for final approval at a date to be determined.
It's crucial to emphasize that these documents serve as guidance for the city, offering a framework for decision-making rather than presenting concrete plans. They play a pivotal role in ensuring that the city evolves in a coordinated and sustainable manner over time.
Planning Commission Members:
Travis Sawyer - Chair
Bill Marshall - Vice Chair
Matt Mead - Member
Rod Boyd - Member
Eric Anderson - Member
William Rose - Member
Penni Zelinkoff - Member
Steering Committee Members:
Trevor Witt - Mayor / City of Abilene Representative
Matt Mead - Planning Commission Representative
Jessica Goodale - DKEDC Representative
Kellee Timbrook - Parks and Recreation Represenative
Cassy Wilson - Business Community Representative
Greg Brown - USD 435 Representative
Nicole Hall - At-large Community Representative
Grant Waite - Youth Community Representative
This webpage is where the City will keep the community informed of anticipated stages and important dates of this project. All dates are tentative and subject to change as the project progresses. Updates will be made directly to this site. Please check back often or register for notifications to stay informed. Designated public hearings will be held at the Abilene Public Library, located at 209 NW 4th Street, specifically for public feedback regarding the Comprehensive Plan. We hope to see you there, as your feedback is a fundamental part of Abilene's future!
Foster Design Associates, LLC was awarded the contract on January 23, 2023 by the City Commission. Foster Design will collaborate with City staff to complete necessary updates.
Stay Informed
Get notified on upcoming engagements and the latest project related news.
Additional Information
Project Updates
Public Meeting - Today!
Public Meeting Today at 4:00 p.m. at the Abilene Public Library
Notice of Public Hearing
January 16, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. at the Abilene Public Library
Public Meeting Today - November 28, 2023
Public Meeting Today at 6:00 p.m. at the Abilene Public Library
Public Meeting Schedule Change
October 24 Meeting Rescheduled to November 28
Community Questionnaire - Comprehensive Plan
Community Questionnaire Open
Important Dates
Request for Bids Opened
A request for bid was open to the public between November 7, 2022 - Decmeber 9, 2022.
Initial Review of Bids
The Comprehesnive Plan Steering Committee reviewed the received bids on December 12-16, 2022.
Consultant Interviews
Interviews were conducting from December 19-22, 2022.
Final Review by Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee
Recommendations to Planning Commission
Planning Commission was presented a list of recommended consultants.
City Commission Study Session Review
City Commission members were presented with the Steering Committee and Planning Commission's final consultant recommendations.
Contract Awarded to Foster Design Associates, LLC
The City Commission approved awarding the bid.
UPCOMING DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
These dates are subject to change as we progress through this timeline. Please check back often or register for notifications to be kept up-to-date.
Steering Committee Meeting
Initial meeting of Steering Committee members, Foster Design Associates, and City Staff at the Abilene Public Library, 209 NW 4th Street, at 6:00 p.m.
Topics:
- Aerial maps and demographic data
- Discuss existing conditions, issues and priorities
Community Questionnaire Begins
Public Meeting at the Abilene Public Library
Public meeting will be held at the Abilene Public Library, 209 NW 4th Street, at 6:00 p.m.
Topics:
- Review Key Planning Concepts
- Input on planning issues, goals and priorities
- Input on parks planning issues,goals and priorties
Community Questionnaire Ends
Combined Steering and Planning Committee Meeting
Combined meeting with Steering Committee members, Planning Commission members, Foster Design Associates, and City Staff at the Abilene Public Library, 209 NW 4th Street, at 6:00 p.m.
Steering Committee Topics:
- Review public input and questionnaire results
- Refine goals and priorities for each park, the pathway network, recreation programs and the parks system as a whole
- Discuss future population projections
- Review future land use patterns
Planning Commission Topics:
- Project status update
- Review public input and questionnaire results
- Refine goals and priorities
Steering Committee Meeting
Meeting of Steering Committee members, Foster Design Associates, and City Staff at the Abilene Public Library, 209 NW 4th Street, at 6:00 p.m.
Topics:
- Review draft Comprehensive Plan
- Review draft Parks Master Plan
Planning Commission Meeting
Meeting of Planning Commission Members and City Staff at the Abilene Public Library, 209 NW 4th Street, at 4:00 p.m.
Topics:
- Review draft Comprehensive Plan and Parks Master Plan
Steering Committee Meeting
Meeting of Steering Committee members, Foster Design Associates, and City Staff at the Abilene Public Library, 209 NW 4th Street, at 6:00 p.m.
Topics:
- Review draft Comprehensive Plan
- Review draft Parks Master Plan
Public Meeting at the Abilene Public Library
Public meeting will be held at the Abilene Public Library, 209 NW 4th Street, at 6:00 p.m.
Public is encouraged to attend.
Topics:
- Present final draft of Comprehensive Plan and Parks Master Plan
- Discuss and refine community goals and priorities
Planning Commission Meeting
Meeting of Planning Commission Members and City Staff at the Abilene Public Library, 209 NW 4th Street, at 4:00 p.m.
Topics:
- Review draft Comprehensive Plan and Parks Master Plan
Notice to the public to be published.
Notice will be published and plans available for public review for 20 days leading to final Planning Commission meeting scheduled for December 5, 2023.
Planning Commission Meeting - Public Hearing
Meeting of Planning Commission Members, City staff, and the public at the Abilene Public Library, 209 NW 4th Street, at 4:00 p.m.
Public is encouraged to attend.
Topics:
- Public Hearing/ Planning Commission adoption of Comprehensive Plan 2024-2045, to be recommended to the City Commission.
City Commission Meeting
Meeting of City Commission members, City staff, and the public at the Abilene Public Library, 209 NW 4th Street at, 4:00 p.m.
Topics:
- City Commission members will be presented with the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan for 2024-2045.
Update: City Commission approved the Abilene Comprehensive Plan for 2024-2045. The final copy will be uploaded to the city website soon.
Abilene Planning Commission Meeting
The Abilene Planning Commission will review the Abilene Park System Master Plan 2024-2045 on February 6, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at the Abilene Public Library. From there, the plan will be presented to the Abilene Recreation Commission on February 19, 2024, to be adopted and reviewed annually thereafter.
Abilene Recreation Commission Meeting
The Abilene Recreation Commission will meet on February 12, 2024, at 6:30 a.m. at the Abilene Community Center to review the Abilene Park System Master Plan 2024-2045 for adoption. Upon adoption, the plan will be reviewed annually by the Recreation Commission.