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Lock Haven adopts "Destination Lock Haven" comprehensive plan after yearlong engagement
Summary
After a year-and-a-half of community outreach, the City Council on April 19 adopted the 2021 comprehensive plan titled "Destination Lock Haven," endorsing 18 priority goals and 60 action strategies and directing staff to distribute final copies and pursue implementation steps including zoning updates and a three-year check-in with the university.
Lock Haven City Council unanimously adopted the city's updated comprehensive plan, titled "Destination Lock Haven," following a public hearing and a presentation by city staff and consulting planners on April 19, 2021.
City planner and development coordinator Abigail Roberts presented the draft and described the outreach that informed it. "We did hold a public hearing before this council meeting at 06:30," Roberts said, noting the process included five public meetings, four focus groups and online interactions including a survey and comment map that shaped the document.
Consultant Mark summarized the plan's structure and implementation focus, saying the team separated the plan into two volumes to make the heart of the plan concise and the supporting engagement material accessible. "Volume 1 essentially is the plan, the main heart of the plan. It's concise and to the point," Mark said. Barb of UpStreet Architects described the brand and theme that emerged from public input: "Destination Lock Haven" and the idea of "rediscovering Lock Haven." The consultants emphasized five action strategy areas: housing, business, service providers, recreation and sustainable community.
The plan also identifies implementation steps for the city, including updating the zoning ordinance to align regulations with the plan's objectives and setting measurable performance metrics for the 60 action items. Staff noted a three-year check-in with the local university to assess potential consolidation impacts, and recommended a data review comparing some plan charts (based on estimates through early 2019) with 2020 census results.
Council member Kompan moved adoption of Resolution 2021-12, the formal measure to adopt the comprehensive plan, and the motion was seconded. In the roll call vote the council recorded unanimous approval (Council members Byerly, Conklin, Missourdie, Minster, Morris, Stevenson, and Mayor Long all voted yes).
Roberts said staff would distribute printed and digital copies of the adopted plan and would correct any typographical issues before final distribution. Consultants and staff emphasized that adoption begins implementation rather than ends public involvement: "A plan without implementation is just words on the page," Mark said.
Next steps include publishing the two-volume set (Volume 1: the concise plan; Volume 2: full engagement documentation), drafting proposed zoning ordinance changes tied to the plan's actions, and scheduling follow-up reporting on performance measures.
The City Council's adoption completes the formal local step for the plan; staff will forward materials for public distribution and return with implementation items such as zoning revisions and grant support as appropriate.
