The first meeting of the Town’s comprehensive plan advisory team will be 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 at the Laurel Public Library. The gathering is open to the public.
The plan update, which will guide growth in Laurel for the next 10 years, is required by the state. But the town has an opportunity to create a living document that straightforwardly addresses the needs and concerns of all Laurel residents. One goal of the Plan Advisory Team appointed by Town Council is to collect input and ideas from all sectors of the Laurel community.
“Laurel is a beautiful waterfront community, with a lot of good people and momentum carrying it into the future,” said Lee Ann Walling, the consultant from Cedar Creek Sustainable Planners who is guiding the planning process. “But there are issues that need to be confronted to improve Laurel’s quality of life and bring jobs, new residents and visitors to the community.”
At the first meeting, Lee Ann will lay out the goals and timeline for the comprehensive plan, as well as the town’s Downtown Development District application, which is due June 1. The agenda will include:
- Overview – what is supposed to be in a plan?
- What is already going on in Laurel to support its healthy growth and future?
- What is the role of the Laurel Plan Advisory Team? and ground rules
- What are some of Laurel’s challenges that should be addressed in the plan?
- A brief and very interesting presentation on housing trends and Laurel’s status by Karen Horton of the Delaware State Housing Authority.
Refreshments will be served. Lee Ann’s work is being funded by a grant from Sussex County and the Delaware Economic Development Office’s Neighborhood Building Blocks program. Please contact Lee Ann at cedarcreekplanners@comcast.net with any questions.
For more information on the plan there is a special page on this website.
