County planning staff outlines comprehensive-plan update, recommends adoption and May public hearing

County planning staff presented a comprehensive-plan update focused on revisions to future land-use maps, incorporation of the county's previously adopted solar overlay, and required language on manufactured housing. Staff said the update included two new mixed-use areas (one near Grays Creek marina and another at the intersection of Route 10 and Hog Island) to promote tourism, hospitality and agritourism.

The planning and community-development director reported about 95 public comments were received on the draft; seven resulted in contextual changes and additional clarifying language was added where required. He said the planning commission held a public hearing and voted unanimously to recommend adoption and that staff anticipates scheduling a public hearing before the board in May. "The planning commission made a recommendation to the board, unanimous vote...that the comprehensive plan should be adopted by the board supervisors," the presenter said.

Board members thanked staff for the public engagement work; staff said after adoption the next step would be implementation and more detailed planning for identified corridors and projects.