Phase 1: Foundation and Visioning

 The City began the Master Plan update by gathering information on community values, concerns, and opportunities for the future. The first phase began with one-on-one interviews with key individuals from the Cody community. These interviews allowed people to express their deepest concerns about their city and propose opportunities and strategies that can help make Cody even better in the future. The following organizations, agencies and groups were interviewed:

City of Cody staff City of Cody Planning and Zoning Board City of Cody Tree Board City of Cody Traffic Committee Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Forward Cody Cody Chamber of Commerce Yellowstone Regional Airport Park County School District No. 6 Cody Senior Center Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Park County Parks and Recreation Board Shoshone Recreation District Outdoor recreation organizations and businesses            Local employers Downtown businesses Hotel owners Developers Realtors Lenders and banks Engineering and surveying consultants Insurance companies

In conjunction with the interviews, a public event was held on May 23, 2012 to introduce members of the community to the project and set the stage for the Master Plan update.

An Advisory Committee of community members was formed to guide the Master Plan update throughout the process.


Phase 2: Plan, Policy, and Process Assessment

In Phase 2, the City and consultant team will review and evaluate the 1997 Master Plan to identify key policies and new inclusions to modernize the plan. The City will also review the existing zoning and subdivision regulations, land use classifications, development manual, as well as other existing plans, policies, and processes. This step will help the City understand what policies have helped Cody achieve the community’s vision and protect quality of life as well as which policies and regulations need to be adjusted moving forward.


Phase 3: Existing Conditions Analysis

In Phase 3, the City evaluated the existing conditions in Cody for all major components of the Master Plan, including:

• Land use, zoning, and neighborhoods
• Transportation
• Housing
• Economic development
• Parks, recreation, open space, and trails
• Natural resources and sustainability
• Urban services (e.g., fire, police, emergency) and utilities
• Airport compatibility

At this point, the City identified key areas of the community that require additional focus in the Master Plan, such as the downtown core, based on the existing conditions analysis and public input. The economic, social, and environmental opportunities and constraints for each of these sub-areas was evaluated.


Phase 4: Opportunities and Choices

Phase 4 of the project was reserved as a time to think boldly about Cody’s future. At this point, the City asked the community to help brainstorm opportunities and strategies for protecting the community’s values and achieving the future vision for Cody. “What if?” scenarios were presented and discussed as we explored the range of options and their consequences and potential benefits for the community. Such ideas included infill and redevelopment areas, new growth areas, affordable housing, economic development, downtown enhancement strategies, and community connections.


Phase 5: Plan Preparation and Adoption Process

Based on the previous phases, a Draft Master Plan was prepared and presented to the public. The plan described draft policies on community character preservation, land use, sustainability, transportation, community design, growth management, housing, economic development, downtown revitalization, parks, recreation, open space and trails, public utilities and services, infrastructure, and other key topics. Regulation and implementation strategies were incorporated in the Plan.

After the Plan had been reviewed by the public, Advisory Committee, Planning and Zoning Commission, and City Council, the plan was then be refined and finalized for adoption.