Comprehensive Plan Meeting Set At Garrett College

Comprehensive Plan Meeting Set At Garrett College

Feb. 21, 2008
The Garrett County Planning Commission will hold an informational meeting on Monday, March 3, in the Garrett College auditorium, beginning at 7 p.m. to enable the public to review and comment on Chapters 5-11 of the new Comprehensive Development Plan draft.

These seven chapters are Chapter 5, "Water Resources Element"; Chapter 6, "Transportation Element"; Chapter 7, "Sensitive Areas Element"; Chapter 8, "Community Facilities Element"; Chapter 9, "Housing Element"; Chapter 10, "Mineral Resources Element"; and Chapter 11, "Economic Development Element."

The Planning Commission consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), will provide a presentation on these chapters, and a question-and-comment period will be provided immediately following the presentation.

The Comprehensive Plan is the primary policy document used by the county to ensure healthy future growth and development. The plan is widely used and referred to by multiple state and county agencies, economic development offices, bond rating firms, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Appeals.

"Garrett County has experienced many changes since its last Comprehensive Plan was prepared in 1995, especially the rapid residential and commercial growth in and around Deep Creek Lake," said a Planning Commission spokesperson. "These changes have brought the county many opportunities but also many challenges. The new plan will look forward and establish new policies to guide the county through the year 2030 in areas including growth, development, rural preservation, transportation, and protection of environmentally sensitive areas."

A master plan for the Deep Creek Watershed Area is to be a major component of the new Comprehensive Plan, he added.

Chapter 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 of the draft plan are currently available on the county's web site. Chapters 5 and 9 will be available beginning tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 22, and paper copies will be available in the Garrett County Department of Planning and Land Development office at the courthouse.

Interested parties may go to the county web site at garrettcounty.org and click on Chapters 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 of the proposed Comprehensive Plan under "Events" on the county's homepage. Chapters 5 and 9 will be added to the same link by Feb. 22.

Further information may be obtained from the planning office at 301-334-1920.