Why It’s Important to Get Everyone Involved

The Town of Highland is developing its comprehensive plan for the next 20 years. A comprehensive plan provides for the future growth, development, and sustainability of a town or city. The plan provides a framework for local officials to make informed decisions on zoning, infrastructure projects, and community programs.

Fortunately, citizens have an opportunity to have input into the way their city or town will look in the future. The planning process involves residents, businesses, and stakeholders, encouraging collaboration and shared responsibility for the town’s future.

The planning process allows for public engagement through surveys and public workshops where they may ask questions, offer input, and address concerns.  This planning process will hopefully mitigate future questions such as “why did the city or town do that?”, “Why did they build that there?”, “What were they thinking?”, “Why don’t we have that?”

Community engagement workshops are scheduled and are generally led by a third party who eventually provides the technical expertise to develop the projects that the town and citizens want and need in the future. 

Generally, stakeholders will be taken through a series of exercises that will gather their thoughts on:

Sustainable Growth

• A vision for how the town should grow, ensuring that development aligns with environmental, economic, and social priorities.

Community Identity

• Reviewing and creating unique characteristics and values of the town, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among residents.

Economic Development

• Identifying areas for commercial, industrial, and residential development. How to attract businesses and investments and ensure infrastructure and amenities are in place to support economic activities.

Infrastructure and Services

• A comprehensive plan assesses the town’s current infrastructure and future needs, ensuring roads, utilities, schools, and public facilities are adequate and prioritized.

Promotes Public Safety and Resilience

• The plan considers disaster planning and potential hazards, such as flooding or traffic congestion, and includes strategies to mitigate these risks.

Facilitates Smart Land Use

• Prevents haphazard or conflicting developments by designating specific zones for residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational use.

Supports Policy and Decision-Making

• Provides a framework for local officials to make informed decisions on zoning, infrastructure projects, and community programs.

Attracts Funding and Grants

• A clear and forward-thinking plan makes it easier to secure state, federal, or private funding for development projects.

Adapts to Future Challenges

• By identifying trends and future needs, it helps the town remain adaptable to changes in population, economy, or technology.

The Town of Highland is encouraging all residents and stakeholders to participate in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan process by taking the town survey and attending the first of three community workshops on December 13 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln.

Please encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to attend!