Live Oak progressing on city plan

The Live Oak City Council is “adamant” when it comes to updating the general plan, says interim City Manager Tom Lando.

Following this week’s meeting on the update, which is being revived after a hiatus of almost a year, Lando said the council remains adamant about its willingness to meet weekly for as long as the next year to complete the general plan.

Council members also remain adamant that owners of land neighboring the city seeking annexation have until the end of a 60-day timetable set two weeks ago to decide whether they’re in or out.

“At the end of 60 days, they’ll make a decision (about how to proceed),” Lando said of the council.

Lando said the meeting primarily looked at revising the scope of work to be done with the update and gave property owners a chance to discuss their concerns with the council.

It was the latest step in the council’s efforts to revive a general plan update that started in 2004. Stakeholders in the land seeking to be annexed into Live Oak agreed to finance the update.

The project has been at a standstill since the election of a new council majority last year. The time off was used to get the new members “up to speed” on the update.

Councilwoman Judy Richards said the city gave the developers its 60-day request to decide whether to stay in or out instead of a 14-day deadline city staff initially suggested. The city doesn’t need additional delays, she said.

“Because we want them to know we’re sincere about having a partnership with them, we wanted to give them the 60 days,” she said.

The next meeting is 2 p.m. Tuesday at Live Oak City Hall.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Robert LaHue can be reached at 749-4713. You may e-mail him at rlahue@appealdemocrat.com.