Fairfield County, OH
Focusing on economic growth
The County’s proximity to the new chip plant to the north makes it a prime spot for economic development. However, development was moving in that direction long before Intel’s announcement. The process recognized that not all types of economic development would work in all the different landscapes across the County. As a result, it was important to focus on specific “priority areas” that were ready and well-positioned for the incoming development. These were large areas in which public and private utility services are or could be available, and the supporting road network was in place (or improvements could be made).
Preserving rural character
The County has a strong history of farming and takes great pride in its rural character. The plan highlighted the importance of preserving this character as much as possible by directing development to key locations, monitoring farmland and environmental resources, and providing strategies to foster growth. These actions, coupled with the land use plan, provided a foundation for maintaining the County’s rural heritage while embracing projected growth.
Communicating with jurisdictions
There are many different types of communities in Fairfield County, each with their own wants and needs. In addition to two rounds of public engagement (a public workshop and an open house), the County held meetings in each township and village to discuss the Future Land Use Plan to ensure that it reflected local priorities. These meetings were open to the public and essential to creating a plan that accurately represented the entire County’s aspirations for the future.
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Tags
Project Type: comprehensive planning
Community Type: county
Client: Fairfield County
Services: land use, community engagement
