The every-five-years process of updating Hanover County’s Comprehensive Plan has begun.

The Comprehensive Plan is a long-term guide for growth and development within the county. The plan outlines goals, objectives, and projections of the county's needs for the next 20-year horizon. The plan is developed by analyzing past growth and land development trends to determine future needs.

Planning director David Maloney reported to the Board of Supervisors on June 23 that the first step will be to procure the services of a consultant. That will take place this summer.

The consultant would be expected to assist in such tasks as providing demographic and housing analysis, preparing a detailed citizen engagement strategy and providing recommendations on the best strategies and practices for comparably situation localities.

In October, Maloney plans to present a detailed community engagement plan to the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission. Public engagement will be emphasized and occur throughout the process.

A joint meeting of the Board and Planning Commission will probably be held in November for concurrence on housing, demographic, and land use trends and assumptions.

In the winter and spring, a draft plan will be recommended, with the current expectation being that the Board will hold public meetings on the Comprehensive Plan in the fall and winter of 2022 and extending into 2023.

Maloney’s presentation to the Board of Supervisors can be viewed at the Board’s Upcoming and Archived meetings page