BATH – The final stages of the Steuben County Comprehensive Plan are under way, with the county Legislature agreeing to take on the lead agency status in the environmental review of the county’s first Comprehensive Plan – the final step before the Plan is adopted by the board next year.
The plan has been the subject of extensive effort by the county and 28 related agencies since August 2022 and will provide guidance for the development of nine issues shaped by the county’s mission statement.
The plan looks to establish the groundwork for the future development of key elements in Steuben and was finetuned recently by the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, which met to review broad-ranging elements covering five core community values and nine policy areas.
Steering Committee member and county Deputy Manager Christopher Brewer said the final draft reflects the 18-month long efforts of the Rochester-based consultant MRB Group, the steering committee, eight public input sessions held throughout the county, virtual meetings, direct contact with municipal officials, discussions with 28 related agencies and public input on the county website.
The result of those efforts will provide a framework for developments during the next 10-15 years and allow agencies involved in that development to access outside funding, Brewer said.
