2004 Comprehensive Plan
2004 Comprehensive Plan
2004 Comprehensive Plan Analysis
The City of Ranson is currently in the process of revising its 2004 Comprehensive Plan. To view the latest information regarding the update of the Comprehensive Plan, visit www.RansonRenewed.com.
The Comprehensive Plan is a guide for the location, character and extent of proposed public and private development in the City of Ranson. The Comprehensive Plan's policies and recommendations has been implemented over time through many distinct decisions including capital improvements, rezoning, text amendments, and changes to city codes as well as other documents. The Comprehensive Plan provides the policy basis for the integrationand coordination of these decisions and actions.
Upon staff recommendation, City Council approved a contract to revise the comprehensive plan, which must be revised every ten years pursuant to state law. Even though the current comprehensive plan is still legally valid, staff thought that the process should begin now with the team of consultants currently performing work under the DOT-EPA-HUD grants. Over the next few months, this team will become very educated about Ranson, its citizens, its development community and its policy-makers. If the comprehensive plan is not revised during this process, the City will essentially have to start all over in 2013. Waiting until 2013 will make the revision substantially more expensive and will mean that the City will have to engage in another round of public planning, which has a real danger of causing planning fatigue.
By agreeing to revise the comprehensive plan now, the Planning Commission and City Council will be presented with a complete planning package to implement over the next decade including a revised comprehensive plan, revised zoning ordinance, transportation plan, downtown master plan, and infrastructure plan. Moreover, the 2004 plan has served its purpose as the analysis demonstrates and needs updated.
What is a comprehensive plan?
A comprehensive plan is a land use document that provides the framework and policy direction for land use decisions. Under West Virginia law, the plan must contain and describe certain areas of planning. See below for requirements. Comprehensive plans identify where and how growth needs will be met. Adjacent jurisdictions are required to have plans that are consistent. These plans then provide the basis for many of the policies, regulation, and budget decisions that the City will make.
What are the benefits?
Some of the benefits of having an effective comprehensive plan:
• Integrated decisions about land uses, transportation, water capacity, public facilities, natural resources, environmental protection, economic development, housing and other issues.
• Fiscal accountability can be built into comprehensive plans. Local governments identify the capital facility needs, along with estimated costs and revenues for each facility. Planning for these facilities is linked with land use decisions about the location and density of population growth.
• Developers and citizens know what to expect as communities make clear decisions and as jurisdictions coordinate with each other and with local districts that provide service.
Why is a comprehensive plan required?
A comprehensive plan is required to be adopted and revisited every ten years in order to have an effective and legal zoning ordinance.