Schuller unveils the 2046 plan
CHENEY – City Financial Planner Mark Schuller unveiled the “Visioning Element: Cheney 2046” during a recent City Council meeting.
The plan, rooted in the principles of the Growth Management Act, aims to shape the future of the city through long-range planning.
Schuller emphasized the importance of the city’s comprehensive plan as the cornerstone of local long-term planning.
This plan, he said, encompasses a vision, goals, objectives, policies and implementation actions, serves as a guiding framework for elected officials and local government staff in making day-to-day decisions.
The presentation introduced five value statements underpinning the envisioned future: balance, health, livability, experience, and strong community and family appeal.
He highlighted the city’s town-and-gown dichotomy, emphasizing the significance of the relationship between the city and Eastern Washington University.
Schuller delved into the issue of poverty within the town-and-gown relationship, noting statistics indicate a higher poverty rate in college towns compared to the national average.
He discussed strategies such as special zoning overlays and economic integration to address this disparity.
A detailed timeline for the Cheney 2046 visioning process was presented, outlining milestones from establishing existing conditions to the creation of desirable future visions.
Schuller emphasized community engagement through surveys and data evaluation, culminating in the identification of so-called “best practices” for future development.
Schuller outlined Cheney’s community vision, highlighting the city’s commitment to being a wonderful town for families with a strong sense of community and an excellent school system. He underscored priorities such as enhancing pedestrian spaces, preserving natural areas, and promoting compact community and housing choices. Schuller outlined opportunities for future development, including the creation of pedestrian spaces, housing affordability and preservation of the historic character.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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