View And Comment On The Full First Draft Here
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Higher resolution image for the Future Land Use Map
Draft Vision 2045
The following Vision Statement describes in a broad sense what we as a county want to be by the year 2045. It is based on a consensus of resident and visitor input and a realistic projection of current socio-economic trends. The Vision Statement provides the framework for formulating a codified set of policies and ordinances for Shenandoah County for the unforeseeable future.
Our Vision for 2045 is to strictly adhere to the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan in order to maintain the rural aspects and the character of Shenandoah County so it continues to be –
- A responsible steward conserving, preserving, and protecting our environmental, recreational, historic, cultural, and scenic resources for residents and visitors; and
- A unique place to live with responsible policies, public services, and quality education that enhance the quality of life and promotes appropriate growth within and limits growth outside our towns, villages, and hamlets so that agricultural areas and other open green spaces remain a predominant feature of the landscape; and
- A great place to work encouraging entrepreneurship, innovative and appropriate businesses and industries with a versatile trained workforce and varied jobs that pay a living wage; and
- A collaborative community that continues to work with private and public entities to ensure Shenandoah County is healthy and vibrant.
Draft Major Challenges Towards 2045
Comprehensive Plans are a balancing act, finding the right way to make sure everyone is heard, their needs are met, and a general agreement can be found. We foresee ten major challenges that Shenandoah County will struggle to balance in the next 20 years.
- Accountability.
- Stopping suburban sprawl to protect the view and access to the natural beauty that attracts people here.
- Protecting our water resources while promoting growth.
- Providing accessible quality public education and community resources built for the 22nd Century while the population lives in a low-density setting.
- Growing a local economy along with similar outside businesses in a market with neighboring growth centers.
- Promoting and protecting farming as an occupation while encouraging tourism-based farming.
- Providing a transportation system built for the 22nd Century.
- Addressing the decline of participation in civic and community organizations and services.
- Providing a County that is healthy, affordable, and livable for people of all backgrounds, ages, and incomes.
- Promoting community-based redevelopment while preventing gentrification.
Draft 2045 Plan Layout
Proposed Chapter Layout For 2045 Comprehensive Plan (Items that encourage action and are implementable)
Executive Summary: The Plan
- Provides the vision statement and the overarching issues for the next 20 years
- Provides the current zoning map, land use map, and the future land use map for the year 2045
- Provides a brief overview of past plans
- Provides an overview of the development of the plan and the process of community engagement, collaboration, and review
Chapter 1: Historic, Cultural, And Scenic Resources
- Provides a vision and objectives to protect and enhance aspects such as the
- Historic Resources such as Native American village sites, sensitive battlefield areas, or key historic structures and districts.
- Cultural Resources such as artwork, archeological sites and objects, or canals or other human made earthwork that is important to human history.
- Scenic Resources such as historic views from battlefields, pull off areas on roadways to enjoy scenic vistas, scenic byways, or the view from or in downtown historic communities.
Chapter 2: Water Resources
- Provides a vision and objectives to protect and enhance aspects such as the
- rivers, creeks, and streams including their floodplains such as the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, Smith Creek, and Mine Run.
- karst topography, sinkholes, groundwater recharge areas for public wells, and the related groundwater resources in the county.
- important aquatic habitats and resources such as wetlands, ponds, lakes, and estuaries
- flash flooding and droughts and the potential impacts water, or the lack of it, poses to public and private investments
- water and sewer sanitation facilities as well as private wells
Chapter 3: Agricultural, Forestal, and Mineral Resources
- Provides a vision and objectives to protect and enhance aspects such as the
- prime agricultural soils overall and for specific agricultural industries.
- existing forest coverage, old growth forests, and key wildlife corridors and habitats.
- steep slopes and areas that are prone to landslides.
- mining operations for minerals or rocks such as limestone quarries
- mountain top and slopes as well as key natural landmarks such as Round Hill.
- use of the land and methods to ensure the County retains its rural agricultural character in how land is used. (ie large scale poultry operations, industrial greenhouses, solar facilities, and other uses that pose an impact to valuable farm and forest land in the County)
Chapter 4: Economic Development
- Provides a vision and objectives to protect and enhance aspects such as the
- potential new industrial and commercial developments in the County and its Towns
- expansion and growth of existing businesses and corporations in the County and its Towns
- tourism economy and potential to expand and build upon it such as encouraging winery/brewery development along spirit trails
- collaborative measures for how businesses, corporations, agricultural and tourism businesses, and local and regional governments and non-profit organizations can work together to assist each other for mutual benefit
Chapter 5: Housing
- Provides a vision and objectives to protect and enhance aspects such as the
- quality of housing in the County and its Towns
- quantity of housing and the location of said housing
- types of housing that are desired
- places for infill development in order to maximize the use of existing land
Chapter 6: Community Services and Facilities
- Provides a vision and objectives to protect and enhance aspects such as the
- private services such as automotive repair, haircuts, cafes, and other service businesses that serve as important semi-public spaces
- non-profit organizations and churches
- landfill, trash, and recycling services as well as composting opportunities
- public buildings and government services
Chapter 7: Education
- Provides a vision and objectives to protect and enhance aspects such as the
- school building infrastructure including new schools and the expansion of existing schools or related educational buildings and facilities
- pre-k, daycare, summer education, and outside school educational resources
- workforce education and lifelong learning opportunities for adults
Chapter 8: Health
- Provides a vision and objectives to protect and enhance aspects such as the
- Hospital expansion and new construction
- Small clinics in Towns and in villages in the County
- Service providers and the split between traveling to Harrisonburg, Woodstock, Winchester, or Luray
- Major health concerns with the population and ways to work towards a resolution of the concerns
- Private businesses that provide coverage for medical aspects such as dentists, surgeons, eye doctors, family physicians, and other medical professionals.
Chapter 9: Emergency Services, Infrastructure, And Technology
- Provides a vision and objectives to protect and enhance aspects such as the
- Emergency services such as the Sheriff and Fire and Rescue Services
- Telecommunication needs including cellular services and 5G/6G deployment
- Broadband access and further access to high-speed internet services
- New technological needs of the County such as autonomous farming and teleworking
Chapter 10: Recreation
- Provides a vision and objectives to protect and enhance aspects such as the
- Trails in federal, state, county, town, and private lands
- Parks
- River and stream access
- Gyms and recreation centers
- Private providers of recreational amenities
Chapter 11: Transportation
- Provides a vision and objectives to protect and enhance aspects such as the
- Major highways
- Roadways
- Streets in the Towns and the villages and hamlets of the County
- Sidewalks in the Towns and the villages and hamlets of the County
- Bike routes throughout the County
- Public transportation
- Rideshare services
- Airports and air transportation
- Rail transportation
- Bridges
The Report
Proposed Chapter Layout For 2045 Comprehensive Report (Addendum to the Comprehensive Plan where all of the data and analysis resides)
Chapter 1: Historic, Cultural, And Scenic Resources
Chapter 2: Water Resources
Chapter 3: Agricultural, Forestal, and Mineral Resources
Chapter 4: Economic Development
Chapter 5: Housing
Chapter 6: Community Resources
Chapter 7: Education
Chapter 8: Health
Chapter 9: Emergency Services, Infrastructure, And Technology
Chapter 10: Recreation
Chapter 11: Transportation
Chapter 12: Land Use
Chapter 13: Demographics
FAQS:
Why does the comprehensive plan look different?
The CAC is looking to develop an actionable plan, one that is constantly used and referenced and not just a document that checks a box but rather something that truly represents the beleifs and desires of the community and provides reasonable avenues to working towards those goals and objectives.
Check out our template for the chapters in the Plan section here.
When can I expect to see a draft of the new plan?
Right now! View And Comment On The Full First Draft Here.
Want to just look at the draft and not comment? Click here!
How many years has the CAC been working on the plan?
Nearly five years. The CAC has been gathering public input on the current plan which expires in 2025 and the community in general for the past four years, with the last year being devoted to writing.
Now that the draft is released, how will I be able to give feedback on it?
The CAC will be attending local festivals and have in person input opportunities and will also accept input online.
I don’t see my ideas in the plan, how can I get it in there?
The plan does not represent individual ideas, but the ideas of the community. If you have one you feel should be in the new plan, please reach out and we’d be more than happy to talk to you.
When will the next major rewrite take place?
2045. While we assume the folks working on the plan then will start early perhaps in 2039 like the CAC did in 2019 for this rewrite.
I won’t be here in 2045, why should I care?
Everyone’s opinion matters, this is your community as much as anyone else.
My kids don’t know enough about their future to have an opinion now, how will they be able to give input when they are older?
Comprehensive plans are reviewed and updated every five years so they remain relevant. While it won’t be a complete rewrite like we are doing now, there will be a chance to update and amend aspects so the plan continues to represent the community, be relevant, and be useful.