Planning commission requests data fixes, clearer goals after review of comprehensive-plan economy chapter

LEXINGTON, Va. — On Sept. 25 the Lexington Planning Commission reviewed CPA 2025-01, the comprehensive plan update’s local economy (and related governance) chapters, and directed staff to correct data, clarify language and return a revised draft.

Jeremy Cruz, assistant with the Shenandoah Planning District Commission, presented the draft local-economy chapter and the results of an online survey. “As of last week, we now have 163 responses,” Cruz said, summarizing resident priorities including retail and shops, renovation of existing buildings and mixed-use development.

Why it matters: commissioners said the chapter shapes long-range economic development, affects revenue forecasting and informs decisions about downtown redevelopment, city-owned properties and city services. Several commissioners raised concerns that data errors and unclear wording could mislead residents or potential investors.

Substantive points and staff directions

- Data verification: Commissioners identified multiple numerical or labeling errors in chapter tables. They asked staff to recheck employment and employer tables and correct totals and source years. Cruz acknowledged a mismatch in totals and said he would “go back and relook at that” for accuracy.

- Employer classification: Commissioners asked staff to clarify how large local employers are classified in the data source (for example, whether universities are reported as state government). The draft lists Washington & Lee, VMI and Carilion among top employers; commissioners asked staff to trace which categories (educational services, state government, etc.) produced each table value, and to add an explanatory asterisk or note for readers.

- Education and comparative language: Commissioners…