Comprehensive Plan Revision Background
Stafford County is undergoing a major effort to revise its current Comprehensive Plan. The County has retained the services of design based planning, inc. to assist with this project. The Comprehensive Plan is the foundation document for the future of Stafford County. Often referred to as a road map, the Comprehensive Plan envisions where the county will be in the future in regards to the use of land, the future transportation patterns, protection of natural resources, and location and type of public facilities, schools, and parks. To simplify the Comprehensive Plan, there is a starting point, an ending point, and a path that takes us from the beginning to the end. The starting point identifies the current conditions, the end point identifies how we envision the county being developed in the future, and the path is implementation measures or a “to do list” to achieve those goals.
Why update the Comprehensive Plan?
The current Comprehensive Plan centers around the Land Use Plan with other elements. The Land Use Plan, in its current form, was originally adopted in 1988, and last updated in 2003. Several other elements of the Comprehensive Plan exist, which have been adopted and updated as needed.
The plan is used to shape development regulations, schedule public improvements, and evaluate development proposals to determine if they fit in with the recommendations of the plan.
The State Code of Virginia mandates that localities prepare a Comprehensive Plan.
Click here for a direct link to the section of the State Code dealing with the Comprehensive Plan.
In December of 2005, the Board of Supervisors authorized staff to begin the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan.
How will the Plan Update be Accomplished?
With the amount of effort involved in updating the Comprehensive Plan, the County has hired the services of a planning consultant experienced in preparing Comprehensive Plans. Design based planning inc. brings with them years of experience on how to solicit meaningful public input and apply citizen input to a successful Comprehensive Plan. Their role in the effort is to prepare a plan that meets the desires of the citizens of Stafford.
Steering Committee
Central to the development of the Plan, is the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, made up of members of the Planning Commission, School Board and other County appointed Boards and Commissions. The Steering Committee will meet regularly with and without the consultant to ensure the plan is properly taking shape.
Focus Groups
Another aspect of the development of the plan is conducting interviews with Focus Groups. Focus Groups are made up of individuals that can share their knowledge regarding specific aspects of the Plan. Focus Groups will address the business community, recreation, schools, and natural resources to name a few.
Public Input
Public input will be obtained through conducting public forums and mailing out a community survey. Public forums will be conducted throughout the process to solicit input, obtain feedback as elements of the plan are being developed, and present the final document for review.
Importance of Public Involvement
A successful Comprehensive Plan for a community should represent the views and desires of the citizens. Having the public involved in the process helps to ensure that the Plan is representative of the community. As a result, the community should know what to expect as the County moves into the future. A plan that does not represent the views of the community likely will not gain public support. As a result, implementation tools such as ordinance revisions will face opposition. Ultimately the plan will have little value and may sit on the shelf and collect dust.
Now is the opportunity to build the path that the community follows into the future. Where that path ends is up to the citizens of Stafford County. The work done now will shape the future of the community that our children and future residents will inherit.
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