Germantown Board of Zoning Appeals adopts Forward 2035 strategic plan during annual training

The Germantown Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously adopted the city’s Forward 2035 strategic plan at its Jan. 14 meeting as part of the board’s annual training requirements.

Director Cameron Ross introduced the plan and asked the board to formally adopt it. The board voted yes on the motion; the roll call recorded seven affirmative votes.

Ross said the Forward 2035 plan is the result of a community‑driven process that began in 2015 (the plan’s predecessor was called Forward 2030) and builds on earlier strategic plans dating to 2005. He told board members the plan sets a shared vision and community values — including “a vibrant, welcoming community,” emphasis on public safety and services, and priorities around land use and transportation — and that adopting the plan annually helps keep those priorities in day‑to‑day decision making.

Vice Mayor Gibson told board members the plan is part of her daily work and encouraged commissioners to use the plan to support consistent decisions. “If you haven’t read it, I’d ask you to jump into it,” Gibson said during the meeting.

Staff provided digital copies of the plan and offered printed copies on request. The adoption was presented as a procedural motion during the training portion of the meeting and approved by roll call.

The annual adoption is part of the mayor’s direction to ensure city boards and commissions incorporate the strategic plan into local decisions; staff said each board adopts the plan at its first meeting of the year.