In the statement the Board, John Caverzagie, Rick Karas and Bobby Campbell noted that changes over time and current in progress or anticipated in Richardson County have emerged as important points of discussion for the community.
Review of the planning process can help Richardson County Government, private businesses and citizens plan for the future and can help the county move forward to both take advantage of opportunities for growth and to protect and preserve the valuable community aspects we enjoy and hold dear.
Noted in the statement is recent attention to condition of countywide critical infrastructure including roads and bridges. It was noted that while new business investment and growth in Richardson County is possible and welcomed, it is entirely possible that such growth might bring huge cost requirements to county government to maintenance of road and bridge capacity. The statement says having a handle on where those needs might arise and what the cost considerations may be will be helpful.
The county also wants to preserve and protect aspects of the community and quality of life in the face of rapid changes brought about by both changes here and beyond our community. One example is the desire to protect the individual landowner's ability to continue to farm, raising crops and livestock in familiar and new ways. Protecting drinking water, the landscape schools and healthcare facilities is also noted.
Three subjects Commissioners want the Planning Commission to examine are roads, poultry production facilities and renewable energy facilities.
Commissioners have asked the Richardson County Planning Commission to conduct a review and planning process and to prepare a Comprehensive Plan document to serve as the basis for further discussion and decision making.
The Boards statement is included with this story on the MSC Radio website.
See the full statement below:
County Planning Commission
The following is the statement issued to the Richardson County Planning Commission:
We, the Richardson County Board of Commissioners, present the following as a statement of background, intent and direction to the Planning Commission to move forward with the updating of the Comprehensive Plan for Richardson County, Nebraska.
Changes over time, currently in progress, or anticipated in our county have emerged as important points of discussion for the community. It is smart to conduct a thorough and thoughtful review and planning process. This process can help Richardson County government, private businesses, and citizens plan for the future. It can help our community move forward to both take advantage of opportunities for growth and to protect and preserve the valuable community aspects we enjoy and hold dear.
While we welcome growth and economic development in our county it is important to think ahead about many considerations that will emerge. One example recently getting a lot of attention has been the condition of our countywide critical infrastructure, roads and bridges. While we might welcome new business investment and growth in our county it is entirely possible that such growth might bring huge cost requirements to county government in the maintenance of road and bridge capacity. That may be a great investment for the community, but it may also be helpful to have a handle on where those needs might arise and what the cost considerations may be. There are other examples, too numerous to list here.
Just as importantly, many recognize the need to preserve and protect aspects of our community and quality of life in the face of rapid changes brought about by both changes here and beyond our community. One example is the desire to protect the individual landowner’s ability to continue to farm, raising crops and livestock in familiar and new ways. Others might seek to protect the quality and quantity of our drinking water, our beautiful landscape, our healthcare facilities, or our schools. The loss of population, job creation, housing costs and availability, and electricity supply and costs are just a few concerns.
It is worth evaluating our current situation and thinking about what we want out future to look like
in Richardson County. There are at least three subjects the Planning Commission should examine: roads, poultry production facilities, and renewable energy facilities. The Planning Commission may identify other relevant subjects. To help our community work through this conversation the County Board Commissioners have asked the Richardson County Planning Commission to conduct a review and planning process and to prepare a Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan document will serve as the basis for further discussion and decision making. It is also the legal foundation for any zoning requirements that may be considered now or in the future. We have engaged Mavin Planning Consultants to assist the Planning Commission in this work.
