A joint meeting between Henry County supervisors and the planning commission, scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Administration Building, is the next step in the ongoing effort to establish a new comprehensive plan for the first time in 30 years.
The joint meeting continues conversations the county board has had on the comprehensive plan dating back to May of last year when staff urged supervisors to not only start a new comprehensive plan but maintain a five- to 10-year gap between plans.
Comprehensive plans serve as a general guide for the county over a two-decade span. The plan details, among other things, goals and projects officials want to pursue.
County officials adopted the current comprehensive plan in 1995. It was meant to serve the county up until 2010.
“It’s a bit out of date,” said County Administrator Dale Wagoner in May.
The current comprehensive plan is a 229-page document. It shows what officials, at the time, felt were the most pressing issues facing the county. This included, among other things, urbanization.
“Henry County has continued its transition from a rural to an urban-suburban community,” reads a portion of the plan. “Manufacturing remains the basis of the local economy, as the county continues to be an attractive location for new industries or those wishing to relocate.”
The declining population was another point of contention for the 1995 board. In 1990, the county’s population was 56,902, and more recent numbers place the county’s population at 49,906.
More current concerns, like housing, were also mentioned in the 1995 plan.
“Due to cost increases over the past several decades, housing has emerged as a major concern for public policy makers,” reads part of the current comprehensive plan which goes on to say “local governments must play a larger role in housing programs and projects to ensure a viable and affordable housing supply.”
The county’s current concerns over affordable housing echo sentiments in the current plan. It frames the topic of affordable housing as an economic one.
“Affordable housing is a key component to any economic development program,” reads a portion of the plan. “All other variables being equal, the locality that has lower housing costs than another will be a more attractive location for prospective business or industry.”
Henry County commissioned Bridgewater-based Berkley Group to help with the planning process. Officials hope to gather public input on the matter.
Officials hope to be able to create a new comprehensive plan in two years.
