The Town of Oak Creek is updating its Comprehensive Plan!
The effort will continue from January - November 2025. Read on for more information about the planning process and how to make your voice heard.
What is the Comprehensive Plan?
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The Plan lays the groundwork for future public investments and private development in Town. It does this by establishing goals and policies that Town Staff and Town Board members use to help the community achieve desired outcomes.
The Comprehensive Plan is an advisory document that guides Town decision making on future land uses, development, and investments in Town amenities and services. While the Comprehensive Plan places a focus on land use, it doesn’t end there. The policies, programs, and projects recommended in the Comprehensive Plan can have broad impacts on all areas of life from transportation to recreation and from economic development to utilities and services.
Photo Credit: Paula Jaconetta
In short, Oak Creek’s Comprehensive Plan:
Guides future decision-making
Provides an opportunity for the community to establish a vision for growth and development
Acts as a toolkit to help focus public resources to achieve community goals
Creates an advisory framework for land use and its relation to transportation, parks & recreation, economy, and other areas of life
Learn more through these frequently asked questions:
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Colorado state statutes authorize municipalities to develop comprehensive plans to guide decision-making and to help communities reach their respective vision and goals. The more current a plan is, the more effective it can be in achieving the community’s vision and goals.
Oak Creek’s Comprehensive Plan was last updated in 2015. In the 10 years since the Plan was adopted, a lot has changed in terms of economic conditions and regional growth. This update to the Plan will help establish a sound vision to guide future decision-making within the town and ensure the community has an intentional plan to address the changes that are inevitably taking place.
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Oak Creek’s Comprehensive Plan Update involves several steps including gathering data; engaging the community to understand goals and priorities; mapping and analysis of opportunities and constraints; conducting an economic analysis to understand market conditions and opportunities; and creating a Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) to identify and prioritize capital projects.
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1. Revitalize the community vision and create an action plan to achieve it
2. Define our Town character and honor and protect it
3. Unite the community / build coalition
4. Guide smart growth
a. Identify sustainable development opportunities
b. Focus on infill and redevelopment within Town
c. Preserve small town character and agriculture / natural heritage5. Increase economic resilience
a. Increase collaboration between businesses
b. Increase activity and things to do in Town6. Increase local housing options
7. Improve transportation connectivity
8. Update Town infrastructure to support sustainable development
These goals are fluid and capable of evolving throughout the process. If you’d like to weigh in on these goals, you can do so by taking the community survey.
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Phase I: Discovery (January-May) – During this initial phase, the project team reviews and analyzes all relevant information to inform the Plan update process. The team is also launching a comprehensive and inclusive community engagement effort to gather valuable input, insight, and recommendations from Town leaders, key stakeholders, and community members.
Phase 2: Draft Comprehensive Plan Update (May-September) - During the second phase, discovery and community input are used to develop an updated community vision statement along with updated goals, policies, implementation strategies, maps, and graphics. The draft Plan content will be presented to Town leadership and the community for review and feedback.
Phase 3: Final Plan Update (October-November) - During the third and final phase, the feedback received on the draft Plan during Phase 2 will be incorporated and the consultant team will finalize the Plan for review and adoption by the Town Board.
Who is working on this project?
The Town Board and Town Staff are leading the effort to update Oak Creek’s Comprehensive Plan. The Town has brought on a team of consultants to help complete the plan and to engage with the community.
Project Administrator
Lead Project Consultant
Economic Consultant
Engineering Consultant
Transportation Consultant
How can I get involved?
There are several ways you can make your voice heard in the planning process.
1. Attend community events
There are currently two community events on the calendar, with more to come. These events provide the opportunity to learn more about the Comprehensive Plan Update, engage with Town Board members and Town Staff, and provide input on the Plan. Upcoming events include:
Community Kickoff Event: Wed, April 9
5-7pm, Oak Creek Town Hall
Join us to learn about the project and provide your input. Food and refreshments will be provided.
Coffee & Pastries: Thurs, April 10
9:30-11:00am, Sweet Pine Café
Join us for coffee and pastries to learn about the project and provide your input!
2. Stay informed
Updates will continue to be provided throughout the planning process. If you’d like to receive communication from the project team related to upcoming events and input opportunities, fill out this form below. Hard copies are available at Town Hall.
3. Take the community survey
The community survey offers the chance to provide your input and shape the direction of the Plan. If you’re interested in participating, simply follow the link below:
4. Participate in a focus group
Opportunities are available to be part of a focus group. Focus groups offer a small group setting where participants can discuss specific topics and make policy recommendations for Town leadership to consider. If you are interested in participating in a focus group, contact Town Hall or fill out the contact form above. Hard copies are available at Town Hall.