Forward-thinking, community-centered: Mount Prospect looking ahead in its comprehensive plan

Mount Prospect officials will meet Tuesday to chart the village’s course toward 2040.

The village board and the planning and zoning commission will hold a joint workshop at 6 p.m. to discuss the MP2040 Comprehensive Plan.

“2040 seems like a long way away, but we know it’s not,” Mayor Paul Hoefert said. “If you’re standing still, you’re falling backwards. So we have to look forward, and we have to make sure our town is keeping up.”

The plan will guide the village’s vision for future development and capital investments.

At the heart of the discussion will be a review of the village’s Vision, Goals and Objectives Report. The report comes from an outreach effort. This included surveying residents, interviewing stakeholders and holding focus groups and public workshops. It also featured pop-up outreach stations at village events.

“Mount Prospect will continue to embody the very best of suburban living as a forward-thinking, community-centered village that sets the standard for quality of life in the region,” the report stated.

The report touches on a range of topics.

Land use goals include evaluating the annexation of the remaining unincorporated areas around the village, as well as promoting flexibility in land-use designations to adapt to changing market conditions and emerging industries.

In the area of housing, it calls for encouraging entry-level housing aimed at young professionals and growing families, while also expanding senior-oriented housing.

The plan recommends reinforcing the downtown’s role as a dining, shopping, entertainment and residential hub. In addition, it envisions the transformation of Randhurst Village into a more walkable mixed-use entertainment destination through residential investment and a parking redesign.

It also sees the Kensington Business Center evolving into a mixed-use business area, as the suburban office market changes.

The report calls for adding natural amenities and passive recreation, including improved trail access along Weller Creek.

Transportation goals emphasize developing a protected on-street bicycle network that safely connects neighborhoods to schools, parks and commercial areas. It also mentions promoting Pace’s “Pulse” bus service along Golf Road, Elmhurst Road and other corridors to connect residents to surrounding communities.

Adoption is anticipated this summer.