Town Planning Commission Work Session continues Comprehensive Plan Work

The Front Royal Planning Commission met in work session on April 6 to continue its work on the rewrite of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan process has been extensively covered in earlier Royal Examiner articles. Chairman Daryl Merchant reminded the Commission members that the Planning Commission’s primary interest is land use in the community, so the major focus of its contribution to the plan is in that area – zoning, economic development, and growth patterns.

At this stage in the process in rewriting the plan, the commission is providing input as the chapters are being drafted, and public comments are being incorporated. Commissioner Marshner pointed out that a vision of the town 20 years in the future should take into consideration local citizen needs as well as those of visitors and new residents.

Chairman Darryl Merchant, far left, discusses Planning Commission input to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan rewrite at the Commission’s April 6 work session. Royal Examiner Photo Stephen Sill

In a wide-ranging discussion on the Land Use chapter of the draft plan, several Commissioners commented on the fact that some terminologies used in the draft developed so far are not well-defined and can be interpreted different ways. For example, “Business-friendly culture” is a commonly used expression, but there is not a common understanding of what it means in policy. It was observed that a clearly defined set of concepts that lead to economic prosperity are more likely to be useful in fleshing out a plan.

The Commission members agreed that a community that provides ample opportunities for both living and working is healthier and more sustainable than a simple bedroom community.

Chairman Merchant announced that the Commission will hold a Joint Meeting with the Front Royal Town Council and Economic Development Authority for a Comprehensive Plan update on Monday, April 11 at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference room.  That meeting will be livestreamed.