SUMMARY OF UPCOMING MEETING DATES :
(updated September 12, 2006, subject to change)
September 15, 2006, 7PM at City Hall - Planning Commission Worksession
PROJECT SUMMARY:
The City of Charles Town is currently in the process of updating the Charles Town Comprehensive Plan. The current Comprehensive Plan was adopted on June 12, 1990. WV Senate Bill 454 requires localities to update their Comprehensive Plan every 10 years. In addition to this, the new legislation requires that certain changes be made to the Charles Town Comprehensive Plan to meet state law. Other changes to the Charles Town Comprehensive Plan will likely address the City's policies related to land use & development, transportation, parks & recreation, public services and utilities, environmental protection, and economic development.
The Comprehensive Plan is a guide to help the City manage growth, infrastructure, and services according to probable future needs of the City. It recommends many different growth management, preservation, and service provision strategies for the City.
IMPORTANT DATES:
November, 2004 - The Planning Commission met with three engineering firms that submitted qualification proposals for the job. The Qualifications Advisory Committe was formed by the Planning Commission as a submcommittee to review the qualifications of the firms in more detail. Following the Planning Commission's meeting, the Qualifications Advisory Committee reviewed the qualifications of three engineering firms and selected View Engineering as the top choice.
December, 2004 - The Planning Commission confirmed the QAC's recommendation and selected View Engineering for the job of updating the Comprehensive Plan.
Project Start - April - May 2005 - View Engineering began collecting data. Regular meetings with City Staff are required from View Engineering.
June - August 2005 - Questionnaires sent out and recieved, and stakeholder meetings held.
August - October 2005 - Composition and Maps organized and the rough draft of the Comprehensive Plan prepared for review.
November 2005 - May 2006 - Planning Commission weekly worksessions to be held to review work of View Engineering and make changes to ultimately prepare a final draft for presentation to the public, local officials, and agencies.
April 2006 - A public input meeting was held on April 24, 2006 all-day and in the evening. The Planning Commission continued holding public work sessions.
May 2006 - The Planning Commission held a public hearing on May 9th and May 22nd. Three educational sessions were held throughout the day on May 25, 2006 to help educated the public. The Citizen's Advisory Committee met for their first meeting on May 18, 2006.
June 2006 - The Planning Commission approved their 3rd draft of the Comprhensive Plan for recommendation to City Council on June 15, 2006. The Planning Commission presented the Comprehensive Plan to City Council and a public hearing was held on June 19, 2006.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A Comprehensive Plan does not annex property; does not require approval of projects inside of the study area that may happen in the future; does not require sewer and water hookup; and is not an ordinance(law). A Comprehensive Plan is a guide that is used as a planning tool for the future regarding a variety of issues pertaining to infrastructure and public services. It is the required cornerstone for developing ordinances that regulate and control growth in the jurisdiction of the City of Charles Town. The WV Code requires that the Planning Commission prepare the Comprehensive Plan and forward it to City Council for their consideration.
Why is the City Revising its Comprehensive Plan now?
There are two main parts to the answer of this questions. The first is that the City needs to update its Comprehensive Plan to comply with the new State Planning and Zoning Enabling Laws. The City began this process at the end of 2004. The City intends to create more innovative zoning, land development and subdivision ordinances; however, until the Comprhensive Plan is revised the City is unable to legally do this according to prevailing legal interpretation. The second part of the answer is that the City needs more realistic and effective policies to coordinate probable development in the Charles Town area. This is to say that the City needs to start planning for infrastructure needs, roads, land use patterns, public services and recommending strategies to save crically sensative areas before these areas are developed. The Comprehensive Plan will help achieve this, but it is not the answer to all problems. Rather, it is a piece of a larger effort that needs to take place on a regional level to facilitate a better future in Charles Town and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
What is the Land Use Plan and Transporation Plan?
The Land Use Plan and Transporation Plan are components of the Comprehensive plan. The Land Use Plan "recommends" land use strategies for maintining adequate levels of service for all City residents that will likely be impacted in the future by new development. The Transporation Plan "recommends" future roads in a larger road network that are anticipated to be needed if the areas inside of the study area are development in the future. Furthermore, it looks to developers to pay for the majority of future infrastructure needs. Without these plans there is less that the City can do within its jurisdiction to minimize financial costs of new development on the community at large.
How can I provide input, support, or opposition?
There have been and will be until ultimately approved by City Council numerous opportunities to provide input. Interested members of the public can write the City, meet with City Staff, or attend a public workshop, educational session, and/or attend a public hearing and provide verbal input. This webpage advertises many of the important dates and meetings.
