UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State Extension will host a free webinar designed to help the public, landowners, business owners, local municipal officials and planning commissioners understand the importance of comprehensive planning.
“Comprehensive Plans in Pennsylvania: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?” will occur from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18, and will be repeated from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 24.
In Pennsylvania, local and county governments have the authority to create and implement comprehensive plans — a tool for guiding decision-making on transportation, land use, housing and other factors that impact residents’ quality of life. These plans serve as official public documents, outlining a community’s physical development goals and providing a vision for elected officials, planning commissions and other public and private entities.
Organizers noted that developing a plan should not be a one-time project; it should be updated periodically in response to community changes.
Participants can learn why comprehensive planning is vital for communities, what a comprehensive plan entails, and the roles of municipal authorities, the public and other stakeholders in its development.
The session will cover:
Attendees can engage with experts and learn how comprehensive plans can shape their community’s future. A comprehensive plan provides context and direction for land-use ordinances and regulations, promoting thoughtful and effective development, presenters said.
Penn State Extension offers this program free of charge, but pre-registration is required via the Penn State Extension website.
For more information, contact Peter Wulfhorst at (570) 296-3400 or ptw3@psu.edu.
