What is the Neighborhood Plan?
Many of the issues that Islanders face as a community may be proactively avoided in the future by coming together to produce a neighborhood plan. Here’s how the County defines a Neighborhood Plan.
“Neighborhood Plans. A community-based planning process that is designed to address the community character issues of a specific neighborhood and is focused on the establishment of community goals, the identification of neighborhood issues of concern, and development of specific strategies to resolve the issues and achieve the goals.”
What it can do and what it can’t do.
While a Neighborhood Plan does not provide self-governance, it is a vehicle by which the County will formally recognize, support and reinforce the uniqueness of the Island community.
Why is it important?
This adoption of the neighborhood plan will provide a foundation to maintain the characteristics of the Island that we all value.
How did this begin?
The Neighborhood Plan was first discussed on April 6, 2023 at “Info Central with Commissioner Bill Truex”, hosted by PIE. Subsequent to that meeting, the County identified our Island Roads & Bridges MSTU as a funding source for the project. Since then, the County Attorney determined that the MSTU is not authorized to spend on this project.
Who gets to participate?
All Island residents and property owners will be welcome to participate in the planning process.
What’s the difference between the Neighborhood Plan and the previous Community Plan?
Community Plans were originally created to amend the County’s Comprehensive Plan to address the specific needs of the community. The County no longer does this. The process now called “Neighborhood Planning” does not promote the mandatory writing of code and ordinances to implement solutions for local issues. However, the neighborhood plan provides detailed guidelines for the future actions of the County. Essentially, we will be updating the original Community Plan but referring to it as a Neighborhood Plan.
Why now?
The recent victory at the PSC has established that we are not just another development sharing needs and goals with the mainland communities. We believe the County needs specific guidance to provide the protections that the Island needs and desires.
Is PIE Action Committee writing the plan?
No. PIE Action is preparing sections of the Plan to send to you. We are NOT writing the Plan. The community is writing the plan. We will simply summarize the chapters of the old Plan, add updated issues and recommendations and ask for your feedback through surveys. You will also be able to provide input at future public meetings. We encourage all Islanders to participate!
