The City of Troy began drafting a new city plan almost exactly a year ago. Now, after several hearings, the plan is nearing its completion.

The Comprehensive Community Master Plan will guide the city of Troy in its long-range future development, said City Planner Calvin Lott.

“It’s been about 12 years since we’ve done an upgrade on our long-range plan, and what we’re looking at is a lot of improvements we feel we need in our electric system, drainage system and infrastructure,” Lott said. “So, it’s just time for us to upgrade our plan.”

The draft, as it stands now, encompasses several aspects of the Troy community—from land use and zoning, to downtown development, to recreation and overall growth.

Lott said while the plan includes something from every aspect of city life, some of the key proponents are transportation, long-term land use and recreation.

In the plan, the transportation policies discuss connecting streets to become more accessible and implementing ways to make the city friendlier for bikers and pedestrians.

The land use policies include preserving some traditional neighborhoods, revitalizing others in terms of making improvements and developing others for new housing.

Recreation plans involve revamping the city’s parks and expanding other facilities.

In the last Planning Commission meeting, the draft was presented to the commission so they could begin to review the plan.

Lott said, a public hearing will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2, at the community’s recreation center to discuss residents’ desires for city growth. After that, the plan will be drafted again and sent to the Planning Commission and the Troy City Council for final approval.

“With the number of hearings we’ve held, I don’t feel like they’ll be any major changes,” Lott said.

Lott said even after the plan is approved, the policies listed will not come into play immediately.

“The plan will be used as a guide for future development. It’s not something that will just be implemented over night,” Lott said. “It will just depend on how fast the city develops.”

A copy of the city plan can be found on the city of Troy’s Web site at www.troyalabama.com or at City Hall, for review prior to the hearing.

Lott said the planners are seeking community input before the draft reaches completion.