Following a nine-month process to create an update to the City of Hot Springs’ comprehensive plan, Forward Hot Springs, feedback from the public will be sought daily as the plan’s introduction and seven themes will be introduced from July 6 – 13 at www.cityhs.net/forward.
“Hot Springs is special; we want to promote a built environment that reflects Hot Springs, its unique landscape and culture by providing better housing choices and urban design, by preserving and promoting character, by protecting historical assets, by providing walkable streets and adequate parking, and through equitable access to common goods and services,” said Kathy Sellman, City of Hot Springs planning director.
Design Workshop was selected by the City of Hot Springs to work with Planning & Development and other City staff, leaders and residents to create Forward Hot Springs. Envision Hot Springs was the process of creating the comprehensive plan update, and it involved robust civic engagement through several community workshops, presentations and polls.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what was to be another community meeting in which residents could learn more and provide in-person feedback for the new plan’s themes has been converted into an online event. A video presentation and accompanying information regarding each of the Forward Hot Springs themes will be released daily on the City’s website at www.cityhs.net/forward. Users are encouraged to provide feedback using the accompanying submission fields.
The Hot Springs Planning Commission will review the plan and resident feedback later this summer and make recommendations. The Hot Springs Board of Directors will then make a decision regarding adoption of the plan.
“It’s important to note that actually implementing the plan will come through numerous budget, policy and program decisions of Hot Springs Board of Directors. While the plan presents an array of future options, it is only a menu from which future individual decisions may be made,” said Sellman.