What is a Master Plan?

A Master Plan consists of maps, policies, goals and objectives and provides a “blueprint” for how a community should grow in the future. A Master Plan typically looks 10-20 years in the future and incorporates a wide range of issues and questions relating to land use, including transportation, land use mix, parks and open space, community facilities, community character and identity, housing and neighborhoods, and economic development. Once adopted, elected and appointed officials of the City will use the Plan as a guide for their land use and public investment decisions.

How does the Master Plan relate to zoning?

The Land Use Plan map, a major component of the Master Plan, is not the same as City zoning regulations and districts and does not change existing zoning. Future zoning and re-zoning, however, will have to be consistent with the new Master Plan map once the City adopts it. The Land Use Plan map of the Master Plan is a “blueprint” for future development decisions and looks at the big picture of how land uses should be mixed and located. The Riverton Municipal Code is the tool that implements the Land Use Plan. It contains more specific guidelines for how development can happen in specific areas, or zoning districts. These standards regulate more specifically how an individual lot can be developed including: allowable uses, building heights, fire safety, number of parking spaces, landscaping, signs, and other variables of site design.

How long will it take to update the Master Plan?

The Master Plan update process began in the spring of 2008 and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2009. Public involvement is very important to the development of the plan, particularly in assessing future goals, policies, and land use alternatives. Public meeting dates, times, and locations will be posted on this web site, and the City encourages all members of the public to attend. Before the updated Plan will become a formal policy document of the City, it will go before the Planning Commission and the City Council for review, comment, and adoption. These hearings will also be open to the public.

Who Will Be Involved in Updating The Plan?

The Master Plan update will incorporate the feedback and input from a variety of sources, including:

• Property owners and residents
• Business owners and ranchers/farmers
• State and federal agencies
• Interested stakeholder groups
• Service providers (safety, water, sewer, energy, schools, etc)
• City elected and appointed officials
• City staff

There will be meetings throughout the process. Please read more under the Get Involved tab of this web site and check the Upcoming Events box on the main page for upcoming meetings.