VISIONS OF THE FUTURE The Comprehensive Plan outlines the following goals for the future of Porterdale: • Developing a park by the Yellow River that provides activities for people of all ages to enjoy the river and the outdoors adjacent to downtown; • Preserving the historic structures that can be restored, removing irreparable and dilapidated structures, and developing infill guidelines that ensure that new development fits the historic style and character of Porterdale; • Fostering small businesses in the core downtown area, such as retail, restaurants, grocery and pharmacy; (Restoring the city gymnasium to honor its historic past while creating a modern facility that provides a place for the community to gather and participate in activities); and • Cleaning, repairing and maintaining the streets, sidewalks, yards, houses, storefronts and river so that people can walk around town and enjoy Porterdale’s history and natural resources. From the Porterdale Comprehensive Plan
The Porterdale City Council approved the Comprehensive City Plan Monday night to be sent to the Department of Community Affairs for review.
The presentation, assembled by the Fanning Institute, addressed development of the city and highlighted the strategy for development.
The plan details several key "Character Areas" around the city, including the Historic Town Center, Yellow River, Historic Mill and the other commercial and residential areas.
The plan also details what needs to be done for other "community issues and opportunities," which includes addressing housing blight and the construction of future businesses and residences to match existing aesthetics of the town.
"We want to maintain the character of an 1800s mill village," Langford Holbrook of the Fanning Institute told the council on Monday.
The plan needs to be approved by the Department of Community Affairs so Porterdale can regain its ‘qualified local government' status, which would allow the city to apply for state assistance and other programs.
The plan presented is not binding and should generally just serve as a guide, Holbrook told the council.
The council voted to send the proposal to the Department of Community Affairs. Holbrook said the city should expect to know if the plan has been approved within a few weeks, at which point the council can adopt the plan.
