Washington County is rapidly changing.
What will it look like 10 years from now?
20 years? 50 years?
Find out how YOU can
get involved in this planning process.
Your input can make a difference!

What can you do?

Be Aware of Local Development Patterns
Observe where and what type of growth is occurring.  Ask what the effects of this growth are on your community. Read the local papers for notices of proposed changes in both zoning and zoning ordinances.

Attend Meetings about Land Use, Growth, & Planning
Meetings with land use, growth, and planning on their agendas may include city, town or village plan commission meetings, city or county supervisor meetings, and county board meetings. Learn how local land use decisions are made. Ask questions. How will the proposed change improve the community?  Does this change follow the community's plan?

Most regular commission meetings have public comment periods. You will have an opportunity to respond to the proposed change at that time.  If you are better organizing your thoughts on paper, you can also write a letter.

Talk to Elected Officials
Share your concerns and potential solutions with them. They are elected to serve the public, but they often hear only complaints and criticisms. You can be more effective by expressing your concerns and then suggesting alternative solutions.  Be knowledgeable about your topic, and have accurate facts. 

Communicate with Neighbors
Talk to other citizens about what you have learned.  If others share similar views, gather information to develop alternative solutions.  Although an individual can make a difference, most efforts are more successful when people are organized.

Look for Solutions
If you are concerned about the current pattern of development in your community, identify other ways to accomplish your needs as well as community needs. Gather information from other communities.  Learn about tools and techniques used in other states. What might work for your area?  Research new techniques that have been successful in areas.  Check out our farmland preservation toolbox for more information.

Value Community Consensus
We all depend on some degree of cooperation and common interest to accomplish broad community goals that are beyond the ability of individuals to accomplish.  A community's values should reflect the values of its residents.  Participation is the key to making your voice heard. The secret of success is being solution oriented, not problem oriented, and having faith that for every problem an inherent solution exists.

Local Land Use Planning
Find out about the land use planning efforts in your community.