A detailed list of goals and strategies for the City of Bristol, Tennessee that was created with significant input from the public has gained final approval and now will serve as the City’s “play book for success” for many years to come.
Titled “Bristol Becomes,” the City’s first-ever Comprehensive Plan is the result of a process that began with a look at current conditions in Bristol and an inventory of community efforts already underway. Additional information was gathered through public surveys, focus groups, and a series of workshops that brought City leaders and community members together to describe the Bristol they would like to achieve in future decades.
The result is a 158-page plan that gained the approval of the Bristol, Tennessee Planning Commission in June and was adopted by City Council in August.
“This Comprehensive Plan considers that Bristol’s citizens, City staff, and leadership wish for Bristol to evolve into an even more economically sustainable, healthy, fair, responsible and highly livable place that elevates the lives of its citizens, while promoting and protecting the attributes that make it one of the best places on earth to be,” the plans says. “By acting on the Actions outlined in this Comprehensive Plan, policies, plans and ordinances can be created that will ensure that Bristol will not only remain a highly desirable place to visit, but a desirable place to live, work and prosper for generations.”
Bristol leaders embarked on the project as a way to compile a series of existing plans and create a strong foundation for future decision making. The process was led by the City’s planning staff with assistance from the consulting firm of Design Workshop of Asheville, N.C.
The next step, said Planning Services Manager Cherith Young, is to create a timeline for accomplishing the 21 goals that are currently underway and the 42 short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals outlined in the plan. Each goal fits into one of the six main themes, which include a livable built environment, harmony with nature and the outdoors, a resilient economy, a fair and open community, a healthier community, and collaborative regionalism.
Work to accomplish the goals will continue for many years, she said, but the plan likely will need to be updated in five years and completely revamped in 10 years because of new development, changes in the economy, population fluctuations, and other factors not currently known.
As the plan notes, “The document is to be referred to regularly as plans are being made for the coming year and to make sure that the action items are being accomplished. It is with action that the City will realize its vision.”
The complete plan is available at www.bristoltn.org/comprehensiveplan.
