Commissioners approve contract for countywide Vision 2050 plan; planners say first countywide master plan since 1965 is overdue

The Lake County Board of Commissioners voted to award a professional consulting contract to Envision Group LLC to prepare a countywide planning document described in the meeting as "Vision 2050." Commissioners and planning staff said the county has not had an official comprehensive or master plan since 1965.

Planning official Dave Radetz described the consultant team, the project scope and the purpose of the plan. "This plan will provide tools to help us guide growth while considering challenges Lake County will face through 2050," Radetz said. He said the plan will address economic development, housing, land use, agriculture, transportation, parks and recreation, education, Lake Erie and local rivers.

Radetz said the contracted consultants include principals Ryan and Miller from the Vision/Envision team and that GDP Group will assist with landscape architecture, park planning and utility planning. He said the team has prior experience in the region, including work on neighboring Geauga County and on municipal planning efforts.

Commissioners and staff said the county's planning department lacks the capacity to lead a full countywide effort on its own and welcomed outside technical assistance. Planning staff said five firms submitted proposals, the list was narrowed to three, and finalists were interviewed before the award.

Commissioners approved the contract by recorded voice vote. The resolution awarding the contract provides for consultant services; budget details and the contract amount were not specified in the meeting record presented at the commissioners' dais.