Comprehensive Plan

About the Comprehensive Plan

Venango County is developing a new Comprehensive Plan, which will serve as a blueprint for the County’s goals and objectives for the future. A comprehensive plan establishes a framework to improve communities, projections for future conditions and trends, and a vision that reflects the ideas and goals of the residents and stakeholders. Pennsylvania law requires counties to update their comprehensive plans every 10 years. Venango County’s last comprehensive plan was developed in 2004.

Who?

Venango County has hired EADS Group to lead development of the plan in coordination with the Venango County Regional Planning Commission and UpStreet Architects. The process garners support from a variety of stakeholders and officials.

What?

The comprehensive plan will provide guidance for decision-making on countywide issues for years to come. The comprehensive plan is developed by evaluating existing and desired future conditions, including socioeconomic trends; housing, land use, infrastructure, transportation, energy; natural and historic resources. The planning process strongly focuses on engaging the public and stakeholders to obtain feedback on key issues within the counties.

Why?

The PA Municipalities Planning Code requires county comprehensive plans to be updated at least every 10 years. The plan provides guidance to the counties on how to address the specific challenges they face as identified through the public engagement process and focus groups. The comprehensive plan is used to support grant funding applications, justify the use of resources, and demonstrate project priority.

Where?

A draft version of the plan will be available for public review and comment once it has been completed. The draft plan can be reviewed online at this site address and in the Venango County Regional Planning Commission office located on the 1^st floor of the Venango County Courthouse (1168 Liberty Street, Franklin PA 16323). A public meeting will be held at the time of completion to invite public comments. The meeting will be publicized online and in local media outlets.