Kent County

Comprehensive Plan Forum

 

As Kent County looks ahead to updating its Comprehensive Plan during the next County Commissioner term, residents, local leaders, and commissioner candidates are invited to attend a public forum exploring the opportunities and challenges that will shape the county‘s future.

The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC), Kent Conservation and Preservation Alliance (KCPA), and Washington College will host the Kent County Comprehensive Plan Forum on Tuesday, October 27, at 6:00 p.m. in Hynson Lounge at Washington College.

The event will provide an opportunity for the community to hear from planning professionals and policy experts about how comprehensive plans guide decisions on growth, agriculture, housing, infrastructure, conservation, economic development, and community character. As Kent Countyprepares to undertake its next Comprehensive Plan update, the forum is designed to help residents and elected officials better understand the planning process and the long-term implications of land use decisions.

The Comprehensive Plan is one of the most important policy documents a county produces. The decisions made during the next planning cycle will influence how Kent County grows and changes for years to come. This forum is intended to provide factual, nonpartisan information that helps inform those conversations.

ESLC President & CEO Steve Kline will moderate a panel featuring experts with extensive experience in land use planning, resource conservation, and local government policy:

  • Dr. Loretta Lynch, Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland
  • Gail Owings, Executive Director of Stories of the Chesapeake and former Kent CountyPlanning Director
  • David Dahlstrom, Upper Eastern Shore Regional Planner, Maryland Department of Planning
  • Tom Leigh, Local Government Specialist with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and member of the Queen Anne’s County Planning Commission

Panelists will provide opening remarks on key aspects of comprehensive planning before participating in a moderated discussion covering statewide planning requirements, local implementation strategies, conservation priorities, community development, and lessons learned from planning efforts across the region.

All general election candidates for Kent County Commissioner have been invited to attend. Following the panel discussion, candidates will have the first opportunity to ask questions of the panelists, after which audience members will be invited to participate through a moderated question-and-answer session.

The event is free and open to the public.

The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Kent Conservation and Preservation Alliance, and Washington College encourage all residents interested in the future of Kent County to attend and learn more about the planning process that will help guide community decisions in the years ahead.