Gloucester planning staff outlines comprehensive plan update; county to start public surveys on rural character, housing and infrastructure

Gloucester County planning staff presented results of a summer review of the county's comprehensive plan and recommended a sequence of updates, public engagement and data work aimed at informing a revised draft to be considered in 2026. "We are recapping the comprehensive plan, discussion and review that was conducted over the summer," said Sean McNash, planning department staff, as he summarized methodology, findings and next steps at the joint meeting of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission.

The planning department told the board that roughly three-quarters of the plan's text sections are governed by state code and that about 75% of text sections and nearly all tables and maps will need revision. McNash said the review identified a set of "low-hanging fruit" (demographic updates, outdated appendices and maps) to be completed in the next six months, followed by broader public engagement and policy decisions on land use, infrastructure and new guidance for energy and technology uses.

Why it matters: the comprehensive plan guides zoning, sewer and water extensions, school and parks planning, and capital projects. Several supervisors and staff said the removal of tolls on the Coleman Bridge will change growth pressures and that the plan should analyze those impacts. "We as a county must decide that an ordinance must be passed to forever block any and all future tolling of the Coleman Bridge and adjoining roads," said Carl Lindsey, a Gloucester resident who spoke during public comment. Planning staff said the plan will include narrative and data on potential impacts from the toll removal but that the level of detail depends on the time taken to finish the update.

Key findings and proposed revisions - Methodology: staff reviewed the entire 2016 plan section by section, categorizing text as (a) required by state code or not and (b) requires…