The Jefferson County Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, December 4 at Jefferson High School (4141 Flowing Springs Rd, Shenandoah Junction). The purpose of this hearing is to hear public comments on the draft of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Guide that was recently approved by the Planning Commission. The formal public hearing (where the commissioners listen to comments, but do not respond) will begin at 6:00 pm in the auditorium; there will be an “open house” session from 5:00 to 6:00 that will allow commissioners and planning department staff to engage in discussion with residents.
The draft plan and land use guide were presented by the Planning Commission on October 17, which started a 90 day window for the County Commission to adopt, amend, or reject the drafts. Even though the Planning Commission has already approved both of these documents, the County Commission has the final vote on any changes.
After the County Commission received the plan on October 17, Dr. Christine Wimer, president of Jefferson County Foundation, provided a summary of her organization’s analysis of the plan, focusing specifically on Objective 1.4, which had been the subject of a pointed discussion among the members of the Planning Commission: “Our concern with Objective 1.4 is that it may be used to undermine zoning. This objective contemplates additional land uses of all types, in all zones, and does not indicate what the criteria of the “research and review” should be for a land use to be added to one or all zones. There is also no standard for public engagement that is defined as part of this objective. If any and all uses can be added to any zoning district, why have zones? If land owners cannot rely on the zones limiting development to appropriate uses, then the whole purpose of zoning is undermined.”
Residents are also invited to email comments to Complan2045@JeffersonCountyWV.org. Copies of the draft Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use guide are posted on the county website or visit ObserverWV.com/jefferson-comp-plan-2024 for links to the county website).
By Staff Contributor