|
Plan will define future growth in municipalities and in county
Send a link to a friend
Public
invited to help steer growth
[AUG.
1, 2006]
Do you ever worry whether your community will
survive in the future or if it might grow in a way that you don't
want it to? Do you worry if there will there will be jobs for your
children when they grow up? Or do we have the types of services,
activities, transportation and jobs you think should be available?
Would you want to encourage more retail or wholesale businesses,
factories, or develop an industry that serves a retirement
community?
|
|
These are the types of questions that were asked in a questionnaire
hosted by the Logan County Regional Planning Commission over a year
ago. The results of the questionnaire were used in the redevelopment
of the 30-year-old Logan County Comprehensive Plan. The answers from
the questionnaire served as a base for direction for our plan, which
will preserve those qualities of life most cherished and look at
what needs to change. But the work has only begun.
Nearly anyone intentionally living here would probably say they
don't want to become like a bigger city. Most people say they enjoy
our slower rural lifestyle and would like to keep it that way. But
there are decisions that need to be made to help create an economic
climate that would allow that atmosphere to continue while
sustaining growth that will keep our communities viable.
The future is now. The time to think about what life will be like
here in five, 10 and 25 years from now, is now.
The Logan County Regional Planning Commission has a preliminary
draft of the new comprehensive plan ready for the review process.
This plan will lead in decision-making for the county and
communities therein for many years to come.
This is not the end, says Bill Martin, co-chairman of the
comprehensive plan committee. This plan will continue to change as
decisions are made in the future, particularly in regard to land use
and as it needs updating. It will also be used interactively with
our new geographic information system and our soon-to-be-developed
comprehensive economic development system.
The draft goes before individual communities for their review
this month. Public hearings are scheduled for:
-
Mount Pulaski -- Aug.
8, 6 p.m.
-
Atlanta -- Aug. 15, 6
p.m.
-
Elkhart -- Aug. 16, 7
p.m.
-
Lincoln City Hall --
Aug. 17, 7 p.m.
-
Logan County
Courthouse, first floor courtroom -- Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m.
[to top of second column]
 |
 Citizens are encouraged to attend any meeting of their choice. It
is hoped to provide information and possibly have an expert present
at each of the meetings to lead in some of the discussions that will
help further define some areas of the plan as pertains to the
individual communities.
The newly created, recompiled comprehensive plan has taken months
of concentrated efforts and now needs attention from the public and
community leaders. The commission is now faced with a new challenge:
to persuade public recognition of the value and opportunity the plan
presents and the importance of public participation.
The newly reseated commission has a number of insightful,
energized new members in addition to experienced members who want to
live up to new and old challenges. Starting with Martin, he said he
is committed to working at continuing development of the plan and
then keeping it updated, as well as helping communities use it more
actively.
The components of the plan aim to keep communities growing in the
manner the most desired, but it takes public participation. Factors
determining the quality of life and the character of your community
are in your hands.
View the Logan County Comprehensive Plan and Greenways Plan
drafts:
[Jan
Youngquist]
Past related article
 |
