Harpers Ferry council adopts amended comprehensive plan after planning commission review

The Harpers Ferry Town Council adopted an amendment to the towns 2013 comprehensive plan on May 11, 2026, following a presentation from the planning commission and a period of public comment and edits.

Planning commission staff presented the revised amendment, noting corrections to historic-park naming, adjustments to the future land-use map to mark conservation areas, added language about studying renewable infrastructure options, and clarifications to code-enforcement references. Jesse, speaking for planning staff, recommended adoption: "It is my recommendation that the Harpers Town Council adopt the amended comprehensive plan on May 11, 2026."

Council members discussed the plans treatment of the urban growth boundary and how that line could affect future expansion near National Park Service holdings. Planners emphasized the amendment is intended to guide growth over the next decade and to protect conservation lands where appropriate. Public commenters and planning commissioners said public hearings produced only a handful of speakers and that most substantive public suggestions had been incorporated into the draft.

Joshy moved to adopt the amendment and Chris seconded; the council voted to adopt the amendment (motion carries 6-0). The adopted amendment will be filed with the West Virginia land-use office and will function as an update to the 2013 plan rather than a replacement.

The action formalizes map changes (including reclassification of certain lots to conservation on the future land-use map) and sets the planning framework for the next 10 years. If the council rejects an amendment in a future meeting, the planning commission may choose whether to revise and resubmit the proposal.