How Is Our Current Plan Holding Up?

As Troy looks at a new plan, a reader wants to know how the old plan was implemented

One of our most consistent readers recently reached out and was very appreciative about the work being done here, talking about the community’s comprehensive plan. And in the midst of that conversation, a question emerged: “How did our community do in implementing the current plan?”

That is a great question and ripe for discussion as we look forward to a new plan on the horizon. The city’s current plan was adopted in 2005, with a few updates in 2010, 2016 and 2019.

The city’s current plan had outlined 32 separate goals and 123 separate objectives in seven distinct thematic areas: neighborhoods and housing, economic development, downtown development, land use and thoroughfare, urban design, community facilities and services and parks and open spaces.

Much like the plan being developed, the current plan envisions our town as a city that retains the charm and close-knit feel of a small town while offering the amenities and opportunities typically found in larger urban areas. This vision is rooted in a deep respect for Troy’s history and heritage, coupled with a forward-looking approach that embraces innovation and change. The current plan is built on the principle that growth should enhance, not diminish, the qualities that make Troy a special place to live, work, and visit.

Land Use and Urban Development

A central component of the current plan is the strategic approach to land use and urban development. The plan emphasizes the importance of carefully managing growth to preserve the city’s character while accommodating new development. This is achieved through a balanced approach that integrates residential, commercial, and industrial uses in a way that complements and enhances the existing urban fabric.

Mixed-use development is a cornerstone of this strategy. By encouraging the development of areas where residential, retail, and office spaces coexist, the plan aims to create vibrant, walkable neighborhoods that foster a strong sense of community. These mixed-use areas are designed to be accessible and attractive, with amenities such as parks, public plazas, and green spaces that invite social interaction and contribute to the overall quality of life. And while mixed-use development may have been a key component of the current plan, the current existing conditions report found that just 1 acre of the city could be classified as “mixed use”.

The preservation of Troy’s historic downtown is another key objective. The plan seeks to maintain the downtown area as the cultural and economic heart of the city, supporting it with policies that encourage the rehabilitation of historic buildings, the promotion of local businesses, and the enhancement of public spaces. At the same time, the plan identifies specific areas outside of downtown where new growth can be directed, ensuring that development is both sustainable and aligned with the city’s long-term vision. One of the more notable policies that the current plan had put forward was to have city staff investigate amending the city’s Code of Ordinances to provide “ad hoc” representation to the city’s Planning Commission for improvements to downtown historic properties.

Transportation and Connectivity

Transportation and connectivity are critical components of the current plan, reflecting the city’s commitment to improving mobility for all residents. The plan recognizes that a well-connected city is essential for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and the overall quality of life. As such, it outlines a comprehensive strategy for enhancing transportation infrastructure across Troy.

The plan includes significant investments in road networks to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. These improvements are designed not only to accommodate current traffic volumes, but also to anticipate future growth. The current plan is heavy on creating new roadways and improvements; ideas that have not come to fruition, such as the development of a “Northeast Connector” that would connect State Route 55 to Troy-Sidney Road or an additional connector connecting Barnhart Road north past State Route 718 to Stanfield Road at McKaig Avenue.

Housing and Community Development

Housing is a fundamental aspect of the current Comprehensive Plan, with a focus on providing a diverse range of housing options to meet the needs of all residents. The plan recognizes that a thriving community requires housing that is affordable, accessible, and appropriate for people at all stages of life.

To this end, the plan promotes the development of affordable housing units, particularly in areas with access to parks, schools, and employment opportunities. These housing options are designed to cater to a wide range of income levels, ensuring that everyone, from young families to retirees, can find a place to call home in Troy.

The plan also emphasizes the importance of creating neighborhoods that are safe, attractive, and vibrant. This includes investing in public spaces such as parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities that enhance the quality of life for residents. The city is committed to maintaining and improving existing neighborhoods, while also facilitating the development of new communities that reflect the values and aspirations of Troy’s residents.

Again, progress on this specific set of goals and objectives represent a mixed bag. Housing development has remained strong in the community and attention has been paid to infill and downtown residential development, both of which are positive for the community. However, the plan called for the implementation of conservation development standards that placed a premium on expanding and enhancing green space in residential developments, that is something that hasn’t occurred. This was noted in American Structurepoint’s Existing Conditions Review, where they noted that newer residential subdivisions in the community don’t have the same access to walkable parks as older residential parts of the community may have.

Economic Development

Economic vitality is a key pillar of the Comprehensive Plan, reflecting the city’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and resilient local economy. The current plan outlines a multi-faceted approach to economic development that includes attracting new businesses, supporting existing enterprises, and nurturing a skilled and adaptable workforce.

The plan emphasizes the importance of creating a business-friendly environment that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation. This includes offering incentives for startups and small businesses, such as tax breaks, grants, and access to business development resources. The city also aims to attract larger employers by promoting Troy as a desirable location with a high quality of life, excellent transportation links, and a skilled workforce.

Workforce development is closely linked to the city’s economic goals. The plan includes initiatives to enhance education and training opportunities for residents, ensuring that they have the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing economy. Partnerships with local schools, colleges, and businesses are a key part of this strategy, helping to align educational programs with the needs of local industries.

The plan also recognizes the importance of tourism and cultural activities as drivers of economic growth. By promoting Troy’s historical sites, cultural events, and recreational opportunities, the city aims to attract visitors and boost local businesses, contributing to the overall economic vitality of the community.

Community Engagement and Governance

Community engagement is a key aspect of the city’s efforts. The plan includes initiatives to educate residents about environmental issues and encourage them to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. This could involve community events, workshops, and partnerships with local organizations to promote different environmental initiatives.

Effective governance and active community engagement are essential to the success of the Comprehensive Plan. The plan stated that the city is committed to fostering a transparent and inclusive decision-making process that involves residents at every stage of the planning and implementation process.

The plan outlines a range of strategies for engaging the community, including public forums, surveys, and the establishment of advisory committees. These efforts are designed to ensure that residents have a voice in shaping the future of their city and that their input is reflected in the city’s policies and initiatives.

Transparency was also put foward a key priority. The city plans to make information about the Comprehensive Plan and its progress readily available to the public, using both traditional media and digital platforms. This includes regular updates on the city’s website, social media channels, and through local news outlets.

In addition to public engagement, the plan emphasizes the importance of strong intergovernmental collaboration. The city aims to work closely with neighboring municipalities, county officials, and state agencies to align its efforts with broader regional and state planning initiatives. This collaborative approach is seen as essential for addressing complex issues such as transportation, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

How is the city doing in terms of engaging the community in the decision making process? It’s probably the area where the city needs to put forward the most effort. The IOOF saga showed a local government that showed an inability to clearly communicate. The Planning Commission still doesn’t allow general public comments in their meetings.

The Final Result?

Given it’s relatively impressive title, “Comprehensive Plan”, it’s easy to make the document do more than what it is set out to do. At it’s core, the Comprehensive Plan gives guidance for land use efforts that are largely instigated by the private sector; in other words, the community isn’t going to put a strip mining operation on the town’s northeast side. It’s the Comprehensive Plan that provides the legal basis to keep that land being zoned to allow that to happen. Yet, the plan is still expected to help challenge the community to make policy improvements that will improve the community for generations to come.

Frankly, it’s not fair to simply tally the things that were done and that weren’t done in a plan that is now two decades old. But, there is a general sense that the plan helped shape a community over the last twenty years that is growing at a modest and healthy rate. Troy is certainly not shriking and there are more economic opportunities now than twenty years ago. In addition, Troy is not growing at a breakneck speed that is straining local traffic and infrastructure.

What Do You Think?

How do you feel the community is doing over the past twenty years? Do you feel the community has met it’s goals over the past twenty years? Our paid subscribers are welcome to leave their ideas and insights in the comment section.

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