Land use plan review hitting home stretch by james jacenich • staff writer
MONTEREY - Highland County's planning commission members got together before the holidays to review a strategy for completing the comprehensive plan draft. Their goal is to begin a review of the final chapter of the plan - land use - in February.
Planner Harry Sponaugle, acting comprehensive plan committee chair at last month's plan meeting, told Cobb two chapters were completed in December.
Cobb went over a mental list: "Natural environment is finished. Government and finance. Community facilities will be ready in January … We need to get that (comprehensive plan) done. We'll be ready to possibly get into land use in February," he said. "It's a month or so later than what I wanted, but we're doing pretty good."
Cobb took charge of the review last summer at the direction of the board of supervisors. Supervisors asked the planning commission to have the review finished by the end of 2006.
Turning his attention to land use, Cobb told planners, "Get your comprehensive plans out and figure out what is the best way to divide that thing up."
Cobb said land use was "the most important section of the comprehensive plan." He added, "If we can divide that up in a meaningful way, then we can go ahead and get that thing whooped."
Cobb said if everyone on the review committee considered the chapter as a whole, planners would get too many versions, which would slow the review.
"Is what we've got what we want?" he asked. "It's time for everybody to get their ideas in. If we need to make a major change to the plan, let's get it done."
He said designated growth areas might have to be changed, for example. "Look at potential growth in Blue Grass. There is no well for the community or waste treatment," he said. "Perhaps we need to take a harder look at that - that's what I'm talking about."
He emphasized the commission was in charge of the plan's review process. "We need to tell the others (on the committee) how we want to attack this thing. That way we won't be wasting a month," he said. "We can have this thing on the road by springtime."
He later explained task efficiency should not be interpreted as unwillingness to hear other points of view. He wants to avoid getting bogged down in minority views that do not represent the county's best interests, he said. However, he was disappointed there had not been more public input, he said.
After completing the review, planners will hold a public hearing and send a draft plan to supervisors, who then have 90 days to review it before holding a public hearing of their own, he said. "If (supervisors) kick it back at us, saying they don't like what we have, and to change these apples to oranges or whatever, of course we will do that," said Cobb. "We've got to have this published before we get into the subdivision ordinance rewrite," he said.
"We've got five sections on the Web site," Cobb added. "If we put four more on there, people can start reviewing that stuff for the public hearing."
The finished draft sections of the comprehensive plan are online at www.highlandcountyva.org.
Planner Doug Gutshall recommended holding a joint work session with supervisors. "That would save a lot of time," he said.
Cobb agreed and said he would talk to the chairman of the board. "It has the potential to be a very beneficial session," he said.
"Let me talk to Robin (Sullenberger),
said Cobb. "It won't be done before Lee (Blagg) gets out of office."
Supervisors' chair Lee Blagg will rotate out of that position at the board's January meeting. Supervisors are set to elect a chairman and vice chairman Jan. 3.
Planners will meet with the comprehensive plan review committee at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25 at the Highland County Public Library.
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