Comprehensive Planning

One way that a community can help shape its future is to develop and adopt a comprehensive plan that lays out the community's vision and goals for its future. Comprehensive plans, also called master or general plans, outline local government policies and goals, serve as a community's blueprint for development, and provide a process through which to address community goals in a proactive, coordinated manner.

Ideally, comprehensive plans should identify agencies and organizations to help the community achieve its goals, as well as milestones to mark progress along the way. Key potential elements of a comprehensive plan include transportation, economic development, housing, agriculture, open space and water quality, and facility and infrastructure development.