Draft maps posted online; presenters say GIS layers will support development review

A county staff member reported that draft maps for the comprehensive plan were completed and posted online for committee review. The maps include a base map showing local units of government, development activity over the last five years, road functional classifications with DOT traffic counts, EMS and fire service territories, prime farmland (from USDA soils data), surface waters and wetlands, environmental corridors and a future land‑use map.

Committee members asked about additional layers such as energy corridors (power lines and pipelines). The presenter said those data were not currently available in the map set because access to some datasets had been restricted, but that the GIS layers prepared for the plan would be shared with county land records so staff and the public could use them for decision making. The presenter noted the map data are web‑based GIS layers and can be used to overlay development proposals to check wetland, soil or cultural resource constraints.

Members who raised data‑center concerns said they want the county to have tools to quickly see whether a proposal falls in a sensitive area. The presenter said the county’s GIS will be accessible and that staff would incorporate suggested layers where feasible.