By Michael Copley
Staff Writer

The Powhatan Planning Commission has settled on a new draft of the county’s comprehensive plan it thinks is ready for public input.

Residents will have the chance to offer that input during three public hearings, slated for December 3, 4 and 5.

The comprehensive plan is a non-binding legal document that expresses critical policies. It is intended to ensure consistent decision making.

Virginia mandated that the county “prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan for the physical development of the land within its jurisdiction under Section 15.2-2223 of the Code of Virginia. The plan must include assessments of existing conditions, trends of growth, and the future needs of the order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of the inhabitants. The state code also requires the plan to include transportation and land use components,” according to a county website

The planning commission was charged with drafting the document, a proactive policy guide for decision making, according to the draft introduction- that looks 20 to 30 years into the future.

Planning commissioners called it a “multi-step process” that dates back to 2004 and said the draft is not a finished product but “It’s the one we want citizen feedback on.”

The draft was created with input from several citizen working groups and the consulting firm McBride Dale Clarion.

The planning commission met with the board of supervisors in a special joint workshop October 29 to help supervisors “get to know what is in that document,” said Planning Commissioner Richard Ayers.

“It’s time to turn it loose and let somebody else take a shot at it,” said Ayers. Officials hope public input will help refine the 117 page draft to something the board will approve.

This draft is “at times a compromise,” said Planning Commissioner Bill Melton, “but it’s something we can live with.”

Reaction from the board was mostly positive though there were content concerns that will be addressed later. Supervisor Carson Tucker said he was “very pleased” and told the planning commission “this is great work.”

Some reaction has already come from the public.

Greg Ownby admitted he hadn’t read the draft in its entirety, but said from what he gathered, “It feels like we’re going backwards.” He is concerned that components from the old plan didn’t make it into this draft worries because he says the document makes no mention of dealing with big-box retailers.

The drafting process falls nicely in line with Walmart’s push to open a store in the county. For those who oppose the retailer, the comprehensive plan looks like a good defensive tool because it is a document that states what the citizens want, Ownby told supporters October 12.

“We need to look at the new draft and make sure it’s what we want,” Ownby said.

Residents are asked to read the draft and voice concerns to representatives. A version of the draft is available online.

Newly appointed District 2 Supervisor Marsell Bustos said he needed to see the new comprehensive plan before he could comment on something like Walmart in Powhatan.

“The comprehensive plan is the sheet of granite everyone should march by,” he said in mid-October.