Chris Byers, one of the organizers of the Comprehensive Plan Review meeting held earlier this week, said the review was being held for the group to begin thinking about what needs to be done in the future for Neosho, and begin the process of revising the plan.
“That is so we can provide a guide for our city leaders,” Byers said. “This is a citizens’ group, not a governmental group.”
The Comprehensive Plan took shape when a group of Neosho citizens sat down and hammered out a number of items they would like the city to perform in the next 15 years.
During Monday’s meeting, those in attendance heard updates on the progress made by three important pieces of Neosho — Crowder College, the Neosho R-5 School District and the city of Neosho.
Neosho Mayor Jeff Werneke said the council has acted on many of the goals put forth to them in the Comprehensive Plan.
“No. 1 was finish the South Street bypass,” Werneke said. “No. 2, and this is the only one out of this section that has not had an action, is to install solar lights, and I am sure we could begin talking with Crowder College on this. Item three is airport improvements, and we have improved the terminal building. No. 4 was to research an alternate Highway 86 bypass, and the goal date for date was 2020 and there are already discussions about that. Item five is addressing the existing sewer and water lines, and as you know we are addressing the sewer system, and we are asking the public to support a water line update as well. And also we were asked to modernize zoning regulations and plan for future growth, and I think everyone knows about the 405 Code changes.”
According to a document released by the city of Neosho at the meeting, the following physical infrastructure project is in the planning stages: install a signal light at McCord and Coler streets, using McCord as the main artery to the Square.
Ongoing physical infrastructure projects include installing more high-speed DSL and cable Internet access, and installing a city-wide wireless Internet project.
Under transportation, the following projects have been completed: taxi cab service; require sidewalks to be maintained by the land owner; complete downtown sidewalks; require developers to build sidewalks for all new development.
Transportation projects in the planning stages are: start a sidewalk development plan that creates infrastructure to allow students in close proximity to walk to school; provide incentives for residences to install sidewalks; create bike trails and bike routes.
