Introduction and Purpose
he simplest way to approach planning is a process an organized way of thinking about the future. If such thinking is to be translated into action, it needs to be accomplished in an orderly fashion, and made a part of an Generally, the process consists of making surveys, analyses
administrative process.
and projections; defining problems, setting goals and objectives; formulating alternative ways to reach objectives; choosing among alternatives; implementing decisions; experiencing outcomes; and finally evaluating those outcomes and updating goals and/or methods. The vehicle through which this process is initiated and formalized for the guidance of officials and the understanding of the general public is the comprehensive plan. This Part defines the comprehensive plan: its development, its uses, its adoption and its implementation. The planning process is explained, and the relationship of local residents, the Planning Commission and the Venango County Commissioners is discussed. A comprehensive plan is a document that is designed to state basic policies and to guide future growth and development of the County. It carries no weight of law, but it can assist decision makers. It contains no rules or regulations, but it serves as a basis for any land use provisions enacted by the County. It is broad in scope, examining the physical, social and economic characteristics that mesh to make the municipality of today, but it seeks to apply this knowledge to the future. It speaks to various issues in general terms, but it can also make specific recommendations. Basically the comprehensive plan is, in part, a factual report that examines how the past has led to the present, as well as a report that can be used to chart the Countys path into the future.
This Plan begins with the premise that successful communities are those that are sustainable over time - communities that meet changing demands of residents and businesses and that are designed in a way that can be sustained with available resources. Five broad strategies for community sustainability are implicit in this plan: County and local government must provide a "product" that responds to the demands of individual residents/businesses and potential future residents/businesses. . Venango County and its municipalities should expect to use partnerships and collaboration to solve problems. . County and municipal government should continually reinvest to transform the "existing" parts of the community to meet changing business and residential needs. . County and municipal government should provide alternatives so residents and businesses have more choice in the ways they travel, communicate and access services and amenities. . County and municipal government should recognize and accommodate the interests of a diverse population, so this diversity is a strength and not a source of conflict.
County Residents, the Planning Commission and the Governing Body
To be effective, planning should have the understanding and the support of the local residents. Without this support, no matter how grand a plan is, it risks the chance of either not being adopted or constantly being challenged as a plot to deprive people of their rights. Efforts must be taken to involve local residents to the greatest extent possible, in the process of plan development. The County Commissioners appoint local citizens as members to the planning commission to assume its obligations pertaining to planning. As such, the planning commission is responsible for the preparation of the comprehensive plan and its implementing ordinances. The responsibility for insuring citizen awareness, then, falls, in large part, upon the planning commission. It is nonproductive to spend both time and money to develop a comprehensive plan, to present it to the governing body for a public hearing and to have the plan shouted down and subsequently not adopted by an intimidated governing body, due only to the actions of
uninformed or misinformed local residents. Obviously the importance of citizen participation cannot be overstated. The plan ultimately belongs to the people who live in the County. The County Commissioners must realize that there is a real and pressing need for planning, and that planning is for the general welfare of all residents of the County both present and future. By its very nature, planning must be implemented by ordinances and activities designed to preserve and to promote certain qualities and standards. This is not always a popular process with all segments of a community, and may occasionally run into opposition. However, the comprehensive plan examines many facets of the community and is formulated after much thought and discussion. Certain recommendations merit consideration at a public hearing, but a governing body should not be intimidated into not voting for a comprehensive plan based solely on crowd reaction. The plan must be considered on its merits and its applicability to the community. The municipality has an educational role to fulfill, too. People tend to reject what they do not understand. Planning for the future growth and development of the County is the responsibility of the County Commissioners. The comprehensive plan is the first step taken to rationally carry out this responsibility. It is generally prepared by the planning commission with input from the local residents and public and private organizations. Following its adoption, the County Commissioners have support upon which to base the plan implementation activities.