Several Athens County residents have signed on to help develop a long-term comprehensive land-use plan for the county.
About 75 residents attended a presentation about the plan last week at the Athens Community Center. Many of the people in attendance were then invited to join the planning task force by County Planner Bob Eichenberg.
One reason for utilizing resident participation is to keep the cost low. The county will spend much less than it would if it had hired consultants to create the plan, Eichenberg said.
The county has budgeted $25,000 for the project, which will take 18 to 24 months to complete, County Commissioner Mark Sullivan said.
The plan will consist of a core group of 20 to 30 people and several task force committees, for a total of about 200 to 250 citizens.
It's going to be a plan that the citizens of the county will develop
Sullivan said.
The county has enlisted Donald P. Lacy of the Ohio State University Extension, a community development organization, to help educate and train people who will eventually create the plan. Lacy has worked with several counties, including Coshocton, Fayette, Highland and Morrow to create similar plans.
It's virtually impossible to get grants in a lot of places without showing you have a comprehensive land-use plan or sometimes a comprehensive economic development plan Lacy said. Those things are essential for the work of government.
The goal of the plan is not to re-zone the entire county, he said.
It will identify areas that will be best suited for different kinds of development in the future Lacy said, adding that making wiser use of land will improve the quality of life for everyone and reduce the overall burdens on individual homeowners.
One citizen who has volunteered to work on the project is Brent Hayes, a local developer.
Hayes said he would bring a developer's perspective to the project. He stressed the need to encourage smart
controlled growth and to create jobs.
The plan will bring people with different viewpoints and expertise in different areas with a common goal in mind: to do what's best for Athens County -
Hayes said.
Hayes added that he does not expect to be compensated for his contributions to the plan.
I'm proud to do it if it can help the community and the county
he said.
Lacy said he hopes that Ohio University will take an active role in the plan, as well.
I can't imagine with all the skill and expertise that's there that they wouldn't (get involved)
Lacy said.
Lacy said he hopes to have the core committee established by the end of April and start training sessions in May.
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Skye Agnew
