Shawnee County 2037 Comprehensive Plan Open Houses Announced

The plan will guide the County as it makes decisions about the physical development of the county through the next 20 years. Accordingly, it will address and establish long-range policy for land use planning, transportation, economic development, housing, public facilities, cultural and natural resources, agricultural land, intergovernmental cooperation, and budgetary and capital improvement planning. The comprehensive plan will be completed by June 2017. In order to engage the public to identify issues and refine our current findings, goals, and objectives, two public open houses will be held Thursday, October 27 at Seaman High School, 4850 NW Rochester Road, Topeka, in the Band Room; and Tuesday, November 1 at Washburn Rural High School, 5900 SW 61st Street, Topeka, in the Library. Both meetings will be held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The consultants will share a quick presentation and the rest of the open house will be an informal setting where the public conversationally respond to and discuss ideas. Everyone with an interest is invited to attend.

As a “blueprint” for the future of the county, the plan must be based on the desires and vision of the county’s residents because ultimately the plan is created by, owned by, and championed by the community and its members. Consequently, it is imperative that the Shawnee County 2037 Comprehensive Plan accurately reflects the desires of the people who live, work, shop and play in Shawnee County. Another way the public is encouraged to participate is through an online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShawneeCo.

For more information about planning in Shawnee County, the Shawnee County 2037 Comprehensive Plan, and public engagement activities, visit the project website athttp://rdgusa.com/sites/shawneecountyplan or contact Thomas Dow, at tdow@rdgusa.com.