McHenry Co. trying to plot growth

The McHenry County Regional Planning Commission is seeking public comment on the first draft of the McHenry County 2030 Comprehensive Plan. When completed, the plan will establish a long-range vision for the development and redevelopment of the county and for the preservation of the county's valued natural resources. The final plan will serve as a general guide to regional policy and decision making for the next two decades.

County residents, municipal and township officials, and other community leaders are invited to attend one of four interactive workshops to be held Friday, June 26, Monday, June 29 and Tuesday, June 30. Each workshop will provide an opportunity to review and comment on each of the plan's six chapters: Community Character and Housing; Agricultural Resources; Greenways, Open Space, and Natural Resources; Water Resources; Economic Development; and Infrastructure. The Regional Planning Commission will conduct additional meetings to gather comments on the Future Land Use Map component of the plan, which has not yet been completed. The county board also will conduct public hearings before final adoption of the plan, which is anticipated this fall.

Each workshop will feature an overview presentation of the draft plan and an opportunity to engage in round-table discussions with other participants and members of the Regional Planning Commission. Participants are encouraged to stay for the entire two hour workshop in order to fully contribute to the process. Morning, afternoon, and evening workshops are scheduled in order to accommodate broad participation. The workshop times and dates are: 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, June 26; 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 29; and 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 30.

All workshops will be held in the county board meeting rooms of the McHenry County Government Center, 667 Ware Road. Advance reservations are requested in order to ensure adequate seating is provided. Participants can register online on the 2030 Plan Web site www.mchenrycounty2030plan.com or by calling (815) 334-4560, ext. 1.

Participants are encouraged to review the draft plan in advance of the workshops. The plan is available for review on the 2030 Plan Web site, at the McHenry County Government Center in the Department of Planning and Development and at public libraries throughout the county.

Comments on the draft plan also can be submitted via e-mail to 2030plan@co.mchenry.il.us or in writing to McHenry County 2030 Plan, Department of Planning and Development, McHenry County Government Center, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098. All comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 10.