In this phase, we’ll prepare for the planning process by studying best practices for comprehensive plans. We’ll also consider options for gathering public input, such as social media strategies and a comp plan website.

Using the county’s existing plan as a starting point, we’ll collect data to document where we’ve been over the past 15 years, and assess where current trends are taking us. The results will be presented in a report called Changes. We’ll release this report at a kickoff event featuring an inspiring speaker who will discuss the importance of place and placemaking.

At the event, we’ll also begin to prioritize the issues and opportunities identified in the Changes report. We’ll introduce an interactive online engagement tool that will help us gauge how people feel about the changes we’re observing in Lancaster County. Should we continue to emphasize the goals in the existing county comprehensive plan, or make some adjustments?

The purpose of this stage is to consider our alternatives. We know that Lancaster County will look different in 2040, but how can we bring about the kind of changes people want to see? More specifically, how should we accommodate the growth we anticipate? At a public event, we’ll show you how different scenarios might play out. We’ll also give you plenty of opportunities to engage in the process at places2040.com, a second online engagement exercise, online surveys, a variety of community meetings, and other venues.

The last step is to write the plan based on analysis and input gathered during the planning process. LCPC staff will put it together, and LCPC members — a board of citizen volunteers — will review the draft and make a recommendation to the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners, who will consider adopting the plan as county policy.