The Truesdale Board of Aldermen is making progress as they move forward with developing a zoning code following the completion and approval of their comprehensive plan at their June 26 meeting. 

As Truesdale continues to grow there have been more frequent discussions surrounding the city’s lack of zoning codes and a recent comprehensive plan to direct the development of the city. 

Truesdale City Clerk Elsa Smith-Fernandez described the comprehensive plan as a “guide” for development in the city and said that there was extensive public input from the Planning and Zoning Commission before the plan came before the board. 

“With the development coming in, the board wanted to give the city more direction,” said Smith-Fernandez. 

The next step of that process is now underway as the Truesdale board approved a measure to contract with PGAV Planners LLC for their assistance in developing a zoning code for the city of Truesdale at their July 10 meeting. That code will allow the city to enforce the specific land uses that will be outlined by the comprehensive plan. 

PGAV Planners are a development firm out of St. Louis and, according to Smith-Fernandez, they came at the recommendation of Jonesburg city staff, where the firm completed similar work. 

She said they expect that while there will be some differences much of their zoning code will resemble similar measures enacted in Jonesburg. 

The contract with PGAV is not to exceed $32,000 and Smith-Fernandez said they expect to receive a draft of their zoning codes some time next month. At that point there will still be time for public input as the board reviews the potential changes and weighs their effects. 

She said once that draft is available the board will work with the public to make decisions about how that code is implemented and how it will affect property and business owners in the city limits. 

“The big thing is making sure that as we’re growing, we’re growing responsibly,” Smith-Fernandez said.