(7/6) The Planning Commission has begun the process of creating the 2025 update to the Town's Comprehensive Plan. "We are reviewing in detail the existing 2015 plan and update it accordingly," said Planning Commission Chairman Mark Long. The plan is reviewed and updated every ten years and will guide the Town through the year 2040.

According to Long, "a comprehensive plan is defined as ‘a process that determines community goals and aspirations in terms of community development.’ The outcome of comprehensive planning is the Comprehensive Plan itself, which sets forth the Town’s policies in the areas of land use and community development, natural resources, transportation, utilities, recreation, and housing."

Over the years town officials have worked at creating a walkable community, a prosperous economy, an exciting village center, and a sustainable environment.

The State requires that each community's Comprehensive Plan contain 12 Visions. They are: Quality of Life and Sustainability, Housing, Public Participation, Economic Development, Growth Areas, Environment Protection, Community Design, Resource Conservation, Infrastructure, Stewardship, Transportation and Implementation.

Anything in the Plan can be changed including zoning, the designated growth areas which are areas that potentially could be annexed, plans for economic development, infrastructure improvement, sidewalks, bike paths, and trails. "Basically anything within the 12 Visions can be changed," Long said.

The process of updating the plan is lengthy and can take up to two years to complete, with the last plan adopted in November of 2015.

Long encouraged residents to become involved with the process as it directly impacts their future living in the Town of Emmitsburg. There are multiple ways and opportunities for residents to learn about the Plan and offer their input by visiting the town’s website, attending public workshops, or attending Planning Commission meetings on the last Monday of each month. Comments on the draft Plan can also be submitted to the Town Planner, Najila Ahsan, 301-600-6309, NAhsan@emmitsburgmd.gov.

Although residents can share their input about goals for the Town and the direction they would like to see their Town head at any time, a workshop is tentatively planned for this fall that will be geared toward the comprehensive plan.