Helena city officials will hold two open houses in the next week to kick off the city’s work to revise its growth policy, the foundational document that sets out Helena’s plan for growth in the coming decades and serves as the basis for city zoning and subdivision regulations.

The first open house is set for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in the lower commons of the Carroll College Campus Center. A second event is planned from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. next Thursday in the dinner club meeting room at the Neighborhood Center, located at 200 S. Cruse Ave.

The meetings will be relaxed affairs, with city officials asking residents to come when they can and stay as little or as long as they wish. Officials will set up informational stations for residents to peruse and provide comment at their own pace.

City Community Development Director Sharon Haugen said residents who can attend will have a great opportunity to be involved in the city’s plan for growth and development.

“If you want to be a good citizen and know about the city, it’s a great process to follow,” she said.

Senior Planner Kathy Macefield noted the growth policy was last revised in 2001, and those cursory updates were in response to changes in state law. This round will be an in-depth revision.

Much has changed since those changes were put in place, she noted. The city has grown geographically and has seen an 8.2 percent increase in population. Helena is projected to grow by another 30 percent by 2030. Climate change and changes in the cost of energy will affect how the city expands.

Revisions to the growth policy will have broad effects on the city, including its transportation network and other infrastructure, parks and open spaces, city services, public health and safety, aesthetics, wildlife issues and wildland fire concerns.

Attendees Saturday should use the North Park Avenue entrance to the college to access the parking lot south of the campus center and use the west entrance to the building.

Those attending next Thursday’s meeting should park in the lot just south of the Neighborhood Center.

Reporter Larry Kline: 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com