Essex begins planning for town's future
The town would like residents to take a survey about what they envision for the community in the coming years, Essex Town Supervisor Ken Hughes said.
'This Comprehensive Plan update is a critical opportunity for our community to come together and shape the future of Essex,' Hughes said in a news release. 'We encourage all residents to participate in this process and help create a vision that reflects our shared values and aspirations.'
Key points of the Essex Comprehensive Plan update process include:
- Community involvement: Residents, local stakeholders, and businesses will play a vital role in identifying and evaluating existing conditions, issues, and opportunities.
- Smart Growth principles: The update will be based on Smart Growth principles, ensuring sustainable and efficient development.
- Vision and implementation: The plan will reflect community goals and include a clear implementation strategy.
CONSULTANT PLAN
The Town of Essex hired LaBella Associates of Latham as consultants to guide the planning process and help with community engagement. Jamie Konkoski is the senior planner at LaBella working with the town.
In cooperation with the town, LaBella will develop an updated plan, which will include an overview of existing conditions, a series of goals for the future of Essex, and strategies to implement these goals, Hughes said.
A Comprehensive Plan Local Committee chaired by Kristin Kimball was already formed to provide input on all elements of the plan and planning process, he said.
The committee will meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 at Whallonsburg Grange Hall. Meetings are open to the public.
The updated plan will expand upon the town's 2002 Comprehensive Plan and more recent planning initiatives such as the Historic Hamlet Revitalization Strategy and Essex Marine Base Complex Adaptive Use Feasibility Study.
Hughes said the town has created a web page to keep the community informed on progress of revising the plan. It's at: www.essexnewyork.com/comprehensive-plan and also includes a link to the survey online.
The site will be updated with plan information as it develops, Hughes said.
'Community members are encouraged to check the site for event dates, plan updates, and general information throughout the process.,' he said.
Printed copies of the survey are also available at the Essex Town Hall and can be filled out and returned.
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