Arlington Heights approves new comprehensive plan

After nearly a year of work, Arlington Heights has a new comprehensive plan to guide village policies and development.

The village board approved its first new comprehensive plan in 18 years on Monday night. The plan includes a focus on population growth, housing, economic development, recreation, historic preservation and sustainability.

“This is an aspirational plan of what we want to be as a community, what we want to look like and how we want to be experienced,” said Village Manager Randy Recklaus. No new funds were committed to any plans on Monday.

Mayor Tom Hayes called it a vision statement for the village to use going forward.

An online survey on the plan received 535 responses, said Bill Enright, deputy director of planning and community development.

According the survey, 83 percent of residents support policies that encourage population growth in targeted areas.

The study also showed that 91 percent of people valued historic preservation, 90 percent support improving appearance of village corridors such as Rand Road, Northwest Highway or Arlington Heights Road, and 85 percent said the village should encourage sustainable development in the future.

“Arlington Heights is a rich community with lots of great heritage and things that would be great to keep from the past and not lose some of that culture,” said Trustee Jim Tinaglia.

Trustee Mike Sidor said he was happy with the sustainability section of the plan.

Trustee John Scaletta called the plan “a road map.”

“Obviously there is so much in here that is unfunded,” Scaletta said. “We are not mandating that we are going to be doing all of this at once.”

Tinaglia agreed, saying, “This is a set of tools we can use and others can use to help us get where we want to go someday.”