Caswell commissioners expand steering committee, approve 22-member slate for comprehensive plan update

The Caswell County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 approved a 22-member steering committee to advise on an update of the county’s comprehensive plan, including the land-use element.

Planning staff and the county manager told the board the steering committee will meet up to six times during the project and will provide community input and feedback on existing conditions, public meeting input and proposed recommendations. The consultant is the Piedmont Triad Regional Commission (PTRC), which will facilitate the process.

Planning Director Watlington said he developed the slate to ensure geographic and stakeholder representation across Caswell, including representatives from schools, parks and recreation, forestry, health department, Piedmont Community College, business owners and real estate. "What the citizens bring to the table, the steering committee will then go in and bring forth the most important out of that," Watlington said.

Three commissioners volunteered for the two commissioner seats; the board expanded the slots and appointed Commissioners Rose, Smith and Claggett to the steering committee. Commissioner Smith then moved to approve the full 22-member slate as presented; the motion passed by voice vote.

Watlington said the steering committee is advisory: community meetings and citizen input will be central, and recommendations from the steering committee will be forwarded to the planning board and then to the commissioners for final action.