Washington County to start process of updating comprehensive plan to guide growth

Washington County commissioners have started the process of updating the county’s comprehensive plan and residents are invited to provide input on what is important to them when it comes to growth and other issues. 

 The current comprehensive plan is almost 10 years old and in need of revision, a process that will  likely take a couple of months, if not longer, and is required by state law. The comprehensive plan was developed in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Idaho code under the “Local Land Use Planning Act” as amended. 

 Washington County planning and zoning officials will hold a public session on Tuesday, April 9, at the county courthouse in Weiser. Members of the public are asked to enter through the west door of the building. The meeting will be held in the commissioners room at 7 p.m. 

 County planning and zoning department administrator Chad Brock said all interested residents are encouraged to participate in the process of revising the comprehensive plan by attending the April 9 meeting. 

 “The comprehenisive plan lays out the goals and objectives of a community and used as a guide for development and administrative decisions to meet those goals,” Brock said. “So, it is important that the public gets involved in reviewing and changing the comprehensive plan.”  

 A county comprehensive plan is not a zoning ordinance or a blueprint for specific development. Rather, a comprehensive plan presents a number of broad development guidelines to be considered in the decision-making process by elected officials in the areas of the provision of public facilities, the adoption of implementing ordinances, considering changes in land use, and decisions regarding future development.

 The existing comprehensive plan has been used as a “framework” by county commissioners to promote sound land development, a safe and healthy living environment and a successful economic climate, all while maintaining and protecting personal property rights.

 The county’s existing comprehensive plan was adopted in November of 2010 by the county commission. The introduction to the 66-page document states that the plan will be used as a “working” document referred to in each land use and growth decision made. 

 The plan set forth the goals and objectives determined by the citizens of Washington County to guide growth and development decisions. The goals reflected many hours of discussion on Washington County’s future and the desires of residents.

 “It (the plan) will be responsive to the everchanging environment of the community and will be subject to amendment to address those changes. It will continue to be a truly public document, requiring full public participation in its continued use and future updates.”

 The development of the current comprehensive plan was guided by a steering committee of about 25 individuals that was put together by planning and zoning officials. The plan was divided up into sections and groups worked on each one led by a planning and zoning commission member.

 County commissioners were advised by the county prosecuting attorney last month that they can make suggested changes to the plan, but it must go through the public input process and planning and zoning. Commissioners can review the plan but cannot take any action on it.

 At a commission meeting in March, commissioner Kirk Chandler said the three-member commission planned to review the comprehensive plan and give it to planning and zoning for the updating process. When it is done being revised, the comprehensive plan will come back to commissioners for approval. They must hold a public hearing on the plan before it can be adopted.