NEW ULM — The city is hard at work developing a new comprehensive plan to guide the future development of New Ulm, but guidance is still needed from the community.

The comp plan will serve as an important tool to plan economic development, housing, parks and open spaces, transportation, land use, and public utilities.

In late November, a survey was released that can be found on the city website along with other comp plan information. The survey is open for anyone to take and the information collected with help city staff create a shared vision of New Ulm’s future.

As of this week, 514 survey’s have been filled out but the city wants more feedback. City Planner John Knisley said the target goal is to have at least 1,000 surveys by the end of the month. In reviewing the surveys already submitted, Knisley said the city especially needs to hear from the younger citizens and senior citizens demographics.

Most of the 514 surveys filled out were from the 35 to 64 age demographic. The 18-24 age group is the least represented on the survey with 1.7% of young people completing it. Only 4% of the respondents are people 75 and older.

Staff is working on ways to maximize the number of people taking the survey. The survey can be completed online. For those not comfortable with navigating a computer or who do not have access to a personal computer, the New Ulm Public Library can help individuals complete the survey at the library at the following dates and times:

Monday, January 9th – 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Wednesday, January 11th – 9:30 am to 8:00 pm

Friday, January 13th – 9:30 am to 5:00 pm

If people wish to complete the survey online at their home they can follow this link to the survey:

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7047408/Survey2-PlanNewUlm