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Planning committee keeps 'rural character' phrasing amid debate over economic growth language
Summary
Members of the Ashland County Planning Committee debated whether to retain the phrase "rural character" in the economic development goal. Supporters said the term reflects survey results and local identity; others warned it could be read to bar appropriate larger-scale development. The committee voted to keep 'rural character' for now and scheduled further drafting sessions.
The Ashland County Planning Committee reviewed and debated the economic development goal language during its June 23 meeting, with members split over whether to preserve the phrase "consistent with the county's rural character."
Supporters of keeping the word 'rural' said it captures what respondents identified in a countywide survey — natural resources, lakes, forests and open spaces — and that removing it would undercut the county's identity. "By and large, it was all the natural resources stuff... the lake... the forest," a committee member summarized when referencing the survey results.
Opponents worried the phrase could be read too narrowly and used to argue against appropriate, larger-scale development. George Poussey (speaker 3) said he was concerned that future readers might cite the phrase to block significant economic opportunities. "I don't want someone saying, 'Oh, you said it has to be consistent with our rural character, so let's just have small farms and forests,'" he said.
Committee members discussed alternative phrasings—'county character' or 'quality of life'—but ultimately agreed to retain 'rural character' in the draft. Several members noted the vision statement already emphasizes quality of life and natural resources, creating overlapping language across plan sections.
Why it matters: The exact wording of a comprehensive plan's vision and goals can guide future zoning decisions, grant applications and economic-development strategies. Members discussed the legal and practical limits of the county's authority; one member noted the county must act within state statute and that some large-scale projects may be regulated at the state level.
Next steps: The committee will continue drafting objectives and action steps in a working meeting set for July 8 and a consultant-led session the week of July 21/22. Staff were asked to collect edits and prepare a revised draft for committee review.
No formal vote was recorded to change the wording; the committee left the phrase in place to maintain continuity with prior plan language.
