Officials review draft Johnsburg comprehensive plan, set public hearings

Allison Gaddy of the Lake Champlain Lake George Regional Planning Board presented the draft Johnsburg comprehensive plan and the public‑engagement work that produced it, telling the board the plan is “a long range guiding document that sets goals and priorities for investments in the future of your community.” The presentation traced two years of workshops and surveys and laid out a vision for 2035 focused on housing diversity, four‑season economic development tied to recreation and tourism, better community facilities and updated land‑use policies. Printed copies are available at town hall and the plan is online; the comprehensive plan committee will hold a public hearing on April 2 and the board is being asked to schedule a town board public hearing in early May.

The plan, funded by the New York State Department of State smart growth community planning program, includes an implementation matrix with short‑, medium‑ and long‑term projects, partners and potential funding sources. Planners proposed creating a standing implementation committee to track actions annually and highlighted zoning updates as a near‑term priority because New York zoning must be rooted in an adopted comprehensive plan. Planners also flagged the North Creek water‑district improvements as an early implementation project and encouraged the board to use the plan to strengthen future grant applications. The board and consultants agreed to next steps for public notice and the statutory State Environmental Quality Review process.