The City of Salem is excited to begin reimagining its Comprehensive Plan. The document was last adopted in 2012 and an updated strategic plan is necessary to enhance the understanding of current conditions and properly address future opportunities.
The update will include a significant community input process that will allow Salem city staff members to frequently engage our citizens and stakeholders. Understanding how these groups view the city and then translating that valuable information into an actionable strategy is the mission of this plan. Public input is essential for Salem employees to effectively foster a high quality of life, expand opportunities for the citizenry, promote comprehensive community health, and stimulate economic vitality.
The Comprehensive Plan will be developed over approximately 18 months, and it will include numerous creative opportunities for citizen input. The planning horizon is slated for 2045, and it will provide data and high-level strategies which will inform the city’s focus and decision making on the following topics:
• Economic Development
• Housing Availability and Affordability
• Code Enforcement
• Neighborhood Character
• Environmental Quality
• City Services
• Community Health and Recreation
• Transportation – Congestion and Pedestrian Accommodations
• Current/Future Land Use and Zoning Regulations
Salem will kick off this process Friday, October 27, at the Salem Farmers Market. The city’s Planning and Zoning Department will be staffing a booth at the Pumpkinfest celebration from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and you are welcome to stop by. Our employees look forward to hearing from you regarding those things that make Salem great, components that you feel should be improved upon, and priorities that will best shape the plan moving forward. Basic information about the planning process, along with a rough timeline for plan creation, completion, and adoption will be available.