Copyright hoodline
Clark County is taking steps to ensure that it can keep pace with growth while balancing the need to preserve agricultural land. The county is in the midst of revamping their Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, meant to steer development over the next two decades in a way that respects the environment and resource availability. A new study, conducted by ECONorthwest, has come into play, scrutinizing the agricultural potential of unincorporated areas. This analysis released earlier this week, lays the groundwork for future land use decisions, as mentioned on the county's website. Though it's focused on the outskirts of urban sprawl, specifically agricultural and rural-zoned lands, the study avoids making any policy suggestions or land designation changes. The aim is purely informational – presenting data to the decision-makers and general public. The release of the study follows a pair of open houses held in September and October, where community members added their voices to the dialogue. According to Clark County's announcement, the next opportunity for public comment is slated for early 2026, when discussions around preferred alternatives are expected to take place. Coming up, the Clark County Council will get briefed on the findings during a November work session. The meeting, scheduled for November 12 at 9 a.m., is public, albeit without an opportunity for live input from attendees. For those interested in participating, the session offers a hybrid attendance model; residents can attend either in person at the Public Service Center on Franklin Street or virtually via Webex. Details on how to join can be found on the council’s meetings page. This endeavor marks the first countywide survey of its kind since Clark County's initial comprehensive plan came into effect in 1994, under the Growth Management Act (GMA). It's a considerable step towards updating a decades-old framework that guides the region's development. To share your thoughts on the agricultural lands study or to weigh in on the comprehensive plan update, the county has provided several avenues for comment. Links to the county website and email, alongside a mailing address for Community Planning, are available for those interested in contributing feedback. Further information on the Comprehensive Plan Update project, dubbed "Your Future. Your Voice.," along with more specifics about the agricultural study, can be found on the county's dedicated web pages.
