Powhatan County Comprehensive Plan
PLAN EXTENDED
The comment period on the draft plan has been extended to DECEMBER 21, 2009.
We had a good turnout at our open houses held December 3rd , 4th and 5th. Due to interest in the plan we have extended the comment period and are posting the Executive Summary Posters, the Overview Presentation, and all the comment forms available at the Open Houses here for your review.
The Executive Summary Posters, and comment forms are also on display in the hall at the County Administration building. You can fill out comment forms and submit them on site.
Please use the interactive comment forms to email us your comments or print them out and return them to the County Development and Planning Department by December 21st. 2009.
Click here to see the schedule of upcoming events in the planning process.
Draft Plan Available For Public Comment
The Public Review Draft of the Powhatan County Comprehensive Plan is now available for review and comment. The plan can be downloaded here from this website or copies can be acquired from the County Planning Department for $20.00.
The plan was made available on December 3, 4, and 5 for review at open houses held at the Library and the Village Building. We are collecting comments from these open houses and via the website until December 21st. At that time the consultants will consolidate the comments received and forward them to Planning Commission who will be reviewing the comments in work session tentatively scheduled for mid to late January. The Planning Commission will direct the consultants to make revisions to the plan based on the consolidated feedback from the public.
The revised draft will be posted on the website and interested parties will be notified of its availability. After revision the plan will be prepared for the public hearing and adoption process which will include, at minimum, two additional public meetings for review and comment to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
What is a comprehensive plan?
A comprehensive plan consists of maps, policies, goals and objectives and provides a “blueprint” for how a community should grow in the future. A comprehensive plan typically looks 20-30 years in the future and incorporates a wide range of issues and questions relating to land use, including transportation, land use mix, parks and open space, community facilities, community character and identity, housing and neighborhoods, and economic development. Once adopted, elected and appointed officials of the County will use the plan as a guide for their land use and public investment decisions.
The State of Virginia mandates that Powhatan County prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan for the physical development of the land within its jurisdiction under Section 15.2-2223 of the Code of Virginia. The plan must include assessments of existing conditions, trends of growth, and the future needs of the order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of the inhabitants. The state code also requires the plan to include transportation and land use components. The land use component is encouraged to provide policies for : the location of future public facilities such as parks, schools, waterworks, and sewage disposal, historical areas, areas for redevelopment, and areas for environmental significance. The plan must also address affordable housing within the County.
Why are we updating ours?
Powhatan County has a long history of planning. This plan will be an update of the current comprehensive plan (See link below.) Powhatan County is doing what communities should do – plan for the long range (20 years) and update the plan on a regular basis.
This update is occurring at an especially important time for Powhatan County. First, regional growth pressures are pushing at Powhatan’s borders. Thousands of new dwelling units and millions of square feet of commercial space is being planned and built within several miles of the county line. Second, regional transportation access to the county is making those growth pressures even more real. The completion of Route 288 is providing easy regional access to the county. While recent economic events make for an uncertain future, now is the time to reassess and update the vision for Powhatan’s future.