Task 2: Diagnosis and Assessment
Task 2 will begin with an inventory of how Powhatan County is progressing in implementing existing plans and policies, as well as the forces and trends that are shaping the community. Previously recommended strategies and actions will be reviewed to determine the status of current work and conditions. Action items in the existing plan will then be categorized as completed, still relevant and needing attention, or in need of adjustment or deletion. The review will be conducted based on interviews with staff and agency representatives.
Following the review, the consultant will meet with the comprehensive plan oversight committee to present ideas and findings, and to offer an opportunity for comment about specific components that are in need of adjustment. Key questions to consider during this task are, “What work has been completed, what still needs to be done?” and, “Is the current plan accomplishing what we want and need it to accomplish?”
In addition, the consultant will conduct targeted data analysis, building on analysis from Phase I of the planning process and supplementing it with additional analysis. It is anticipated that as part of the diagnosis and assessment the consultant will conduct a capacity analysis that will assess the amount of growth that could be accommodated under current planning and zoning policies, taking into account reasonable natural and man made constraints to growth. This analysis will include an assessment of the ability of public facilities to accommodate forecasted growth. The analysis will be conducted and summarized in such a manner that it is understandable and relevant to county leaders and the public.
The consultant will work with the county to determine if additional fiscal impact analysis is needed to assess the cost of growth issues at a more detailed level. If so, the consultant will work with the client to select additional consultants as necessary. The cost of additional consultants is beyond the scope of this project.