The city of Hays is expected to begin the process of updating generations-old zoning and development regulations.

At its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, the Hays City Commission will consider hiring a consultant to craft the zoning rewrites.

Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno said existing rules guiding new developments date back to the 1970s.

“A lot of things have changed since that time,” he said, adding the rewrite was a recommendation made in the 2012 comprehensive plan.

City staff will recommend hiring Kendig Keast Collaborative, a Texas firm with Kansas ties, at a cost of $150,000. The process is expected to take 14 months.

Changes in policy have a distinct impact on growth, Briseno said. That evolution can be seen by starting on narrow brick downtown street and traveling west. As the city grew, streets became wider and building lots became larger.

Briseno said there will be public hearings throughout the process to garner input from the community.

As the city adds new residential and business developments, the correct zoning rules will help ensure those meet community expectations, Briseno added.

“We only have once chance of getting this right,” he said, “considering a development may be there the next 100 years.”

Kendig Keast Collaborative, one of nine companies bidding for the project, was recommended by a selection committee made up of city staff and planning commission members.

The complete agenda for Thursday’s meeting can be seen HERE.