Woodfin – The Town of Woodfin passed its 2021 Comprehensive Plan Tuesday (Sept. 21st), but not without a little hand-holding from a lawyer the town hired.
The passage came after a public hearing where two people spoke (see article page 5). Woodfin Planning Director Adrienne Isenhower presented an overview of the 2021 Comprehensive Plan to the board. As Isenhower started, lawyer Sam Craig of Craig Law Firm, sitting in the audience, interrupted and asked to speak with Isenhower, and soon, Town Administrator Eric Hardy joined the two. After some discussion, Isenhower continued with the presentation.
Isenhower laid out the plan, saying it was to be a guide for discussions and decisions and to set goals for current and future social, physical and economic development. The plan will bring the town into compliance with the state Chapter 160D requirements.
It removes outdated or redundant language and provides a bridge to development of the 2022 plan. However, this is not the end of the process, only the beginning. Isenhower explained. He set a timeline for the 2022 Comprehensive Plan to be developed starting in October with a steering committee reviewing the existing comprehensive plan and statutory requirements. The board is planning on public input along with drafting guiding principles. The plan’s goals include land use, transportation, economic development, education, parks and greenway, environmental resources and housing.
Before the board voted on the plan, Craig also asked to address the board.
“The town has retained me to assist in various matters in regard to the planning board, this plan and some other matters,” he clarified. He said that there would need to be two motions and votes with discussions about the passage of the comprehensive plan. Craig explained that the board needs to adopt the changes recommended by the planning and zoning board if they wish to incorporate those into the ordinance and then pass the ordinance.
Following Craig’s leadership, the board advanced to adopt the changes from the planning and zoning board and pass the ordinance, with Commissioner Ronnie Lunsford making the motions. It passed with no dissenting votes.