NORWICH – What do we want Chenango County to be?
The county Planning Department is developing a comprehensive plan that may not answer that broad question entirely, but will provide the public and local leaders with a starting point for mapping out Chenango’s future, said county Planning Director Donna M. Jones.
“This plan is not intended to sit on a shelf, but to be a tool for all who want to learn more about the county and where it hopes to head,” said Jones. “The goals, objectives and strategies cannot and will not attempt to answer every question. This plan will be intended to be a useable guide for the future of Chenango County.”
Titled, “Blueprint Chenango: A Comprehensive Plan for Chenango County,” it will offer a vision for future land use, economic development, commercial development, agriculture, recreation, industrial development, transportation, energy, health care, communications and the aging population, according to pre-liminary outline sent to the county Board of Supervisors Monday. Local demographic and socioeconomic trends will also be profiled, as will the county’s cultural resources, natural resources and environmental areas.
It will also point out our weak spots, Jones said.
“With gas prices continuing to rise, how much should we really rely on tourism?” Jones asked, pointing out an example of the types of questions the report will examine.
Jones expects to finish the comprehensive plan by the end of 2008. It would then be up for a vote before the county Board of Supervisors.
If adopted, the plan is expected to act as a policy guide for lawmakers.
“We need something that looks toward the future, rather than the next five minutes,” said Sally Chirlin, a member of the county and North Norwich town planning boards, referring to the “comp” plan’s importance as a foundation for future decision making.
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