Commissioners update Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan

The Miami County Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan Update is designed to help guide decisions on issues such as land use and areas most suitable for annexation.

The county commissioners this summer approved the updated plan after work with consultants from McBride Dale Clarion of Cincinnati. The company was paid $100,000 for the work that included gathering citizen input through surveys, stakeholder interviews, stakeholder meetings and other activities.

“Miami County’s future growth will continue to be shaped by a variety of influences unique to the county, such as the emphasis on farmland preservation, efficient land uses, zoning practices, and urban expansion management. This plan update attempts to recognize these influences and to serve as a resource for those involved in making land use management decisions,” county officials state in an introduction of the plan.

The plan is organized around four themes: Civic & Community; Environment & Sustainability; Infrastructure & Transportation; and Strategic Growth & Development. Each theme includes specific goals, objectives and actions informed by community input, emerging trends and land use analysis.

Key priorities include: 

• Balancing growth with preservation of farmland and rural character 

• Expanding housing options and improving infrastructure

• Enhancing recreational amenities and public services 

• Promoting sustainability through conservation and renewable energy integration 

• Coordinating future land use to align with economic, environmental and community goals.

"You try to plan your community the best you can,” said county Commission President Ted Mercer. “With this plan, we looked at other comprehensive plans to make sure we were not in conflict. The key now, as a commission, is we need to make sure that our department of development follows through with the plan.”

Although the public gave low priority to commercial and housing development, Mercer said it is important that some type of activity is underway in both of those areas at any time to keep up with area growth. One area demanding attention in the county, particularly in Bethel Township, is annexation, he said

“Comprehensive plans are important in that they help guide and inform the local decision-making process based on input gained from the county’s residents and other stakeholders,” said Dan Suerdieck, county manager of planning and community development.

“The updated plan will be a great resource to staff as we review and make recommendations on future developments. I personally appreciate the readability and usability of the new plan. While it totals 128 pages, not including the appendices, it has large text and lots of graphics, which make it feel like a much shorter document. Its simplicity will also be beneficial to members of the public who are interested in reading and interpreting part the plan,” Suerdieck said.

For more information on the plan, visit www.MiamiCountyTomorrow.com. 

WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT:

As part of the comprehensive plan update, consultants took a look with residents at county strengths, opportunities and threats.

Among the areas identified:

STRENGTHS: Rural charm and natural beauty; strong community values; access to resources, agricultural heritage and local infrastructure (such as well-maintained roads, parks, libraries and community centers).

OPPORTUNITIES: Preserve rural character; housing and infrastructure; recreation and community amenities; and farming and eco-management.

THREATS: Urban sprawl and development pressure; annexation; solar and wind development; property taxes and financial burden; and declining property maintenance.