EDWARDSVILLE – The public has been asked to weigh in over the future of land in Madison County.
Three open houses have been planned to get feedback on the county's Comprehensive Plan for unincorporated areas. There will also be an online survey open throughout September that residents have been invited to fill out.
“The plan acts as the official land-use guide for unincorporated Madison County,” planning and development administrator Matt Brandmeyer said in a press release. “It will be used to assist with future growth and act as the policy basis for zoning and land development decisions. It establishes a logical plan for transportation, infrastructure and economic development policies that will influence public and private-decision making.”
County chairman Kurt Prenzler said the plan was not so much about zoning but rather the development of the land in the county.
"The zoning ordinances are the law," he said in the release. “Zoning is the criteria used to determine building heights, setbacks, lot sizes, etc. Zoning is enforceable and the Comprehensive Plan isn’t.”
The county began using a plan in 1969 and the most recent one was created in 2000 and stipulates land use such as agriculture, residential and economic development, open space/recreation areas, transportation, water, sewer, and stormwater systems and floodplain uses, the county’s press release indicated.
It is expected that the planning process will take two years.
Open houses will be held on the following dates:
- Wednesday, Sept. 6 at Holiday Shores Ballroom, 1 Holiday Point Parkway, Edwardsville
- Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Maryville Village Hall, 2520 N. Center St., Maryville
- Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Weinheimer Community Center, 1100 Main St., Highland
To access the online survey, visit the County’s Comprehensive Plan website.
There is a plan to hold a second round of open houses over the winter, the city indicated. During that time there will be draft components and recommendations of the plan presented to the public. There will be another opportunity for residents to express their thoughts on the plan at that time.