Hartselle gears up for future growth: City seeks input for new comprehensive plan

In a bid to pave the way for the next two decades of growth and development, the City of Hartselle is gearing up to revamp its Comprehensive Plan, marking a significant stride since the adoption of the last plan in 2012. 

The endeavor is a collaborative effort with the North Central Alabama Regional Council of Government (NARCOG) Planning and Economic Development Department. Spearheading this initiative is Joey Hester, Director of Planning, and Shelby Selman, planner, who are inviting residents to actively contribute their insights and ideas. 

Joey Hester

The new Comprehensive Plan aims to build on the accomplishments of past projects and envisage a future that aligns with the city’s ever-evolving needs and opportunities, according to Hester.  

“It’s a 20-year roadmap for our elected officials to use while making decisions on future developments based on what the community wants Hartselle to look like in the future,” he said.  

Hester stated that municipalities are generally advised to revise their comprehensive plans every five years. It is essential for them to regularly update these plans to retain their designation as an Alabama Community of Excellence (ACE). The City of Hartselle earned this designation in 2012. 

Hartselle residents are encouraged to be part of the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan by sharing their thoughts on the city’s present status and their vision for its future. 

 A community planning meeting will be held March 19 at the Sparkman Civic Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. 

Hester said the event will be structured with no formal presentation and will be a come-and-go event. Free popcorn and soda will be provided for attendees.  

“This event will give us an opportunity to report back to the community on previous survey results and what planning has been done up to this point,” Hester added. “Sort of “Here’s what we’ve heard, this is what we’ve learned and how we’re going to use the data.”  

Mayor Randy Garrison established a steering committee to head up this initiative from a wide variety of Hartselle residents, selecting representatives from the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, the Hartselle City Planning Commission and educators.   

Mayor Randy Garrison

Residents can peruse maps, reports and details of meetings related to the Comprehensive Plan online at https://planhartselle.my.canva.site/help-hartselle-plan.  

Garrison said the new Comprehensive Plan will be approved later this year.  

Committee members, city officials and representatives from NARCOG will be present at the meeting March 19 and are open to answering questions and providing further information about the ongoing planning efforts.