Board approves public participation plan to update Rock County comprehensive and farmland preservation plans

The Rock County Board of Supervisors approved a public participation plan that will guide updates to the county’s comprehensive plan and its farmland preservation plan.

Andrew Baker, Rock County planning director, told the board staff recently filled an open planning position and has engaged the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission to assist with a condensed update schedule. Jason (Capitol/Capital Area Regional Planning Commission) outlined outreach steps including advisory work groups, cluster meetings for towns, targeted meetings with larger cities, an online and paper community survey, open houses, and a statutory public hearing at the end of the process.

The planning director said the county’s last comprehensive plan update was in 2009 and that state law and best practice suggest periodic updates; staff described the current effort as both an update and a restart to make the plan a “living document” with broader engagement. The consultant said the public participation plan is a required statutory step and described a timeline that stretches through April of next year to complete both plans.

Supervisors asked how meeting dates and cluster-group schedules will be posted; staff said dates will be posted on county channels once the advisory work-group calendar and outreach timeline are set. Baker said the planning and development committee will continue to be the formal oversight body and that staff encourage supervisors and residents to participate in the outreach events when possible.

The board approved the public participation plan by voice vote with no recorded dissent.