Subject:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DRAFT 2026 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (10 MINS)
Body
DATE(S) OF PRIOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THIS ISSUE:
04/20/26 Joint Work Session with the Planning Commission
BACKGROUND
A Comprehensive Plan provides a long-range vision, goals and policies for a local government's growth, development, and preservation. Pursuant to the Code of Virginia ? 15.2-2223, all governments with land use authority are required to adopt a Comprehensive Plan that meets all State requirements in content and procedures; and review the plan at least once every five years to ensure that the plan reflects current conditions, community priorities, and future needs.
The current plan is named the 2015 Town of Vienna Comprehensive Plan, which can be found on the Town's Web site at https://www.viennava.gov/Town-Departments/Planning-Zoning/Long-Range-Planning. The Town completed two small updates to the Plan in 2020 and began an extensive review soon afterward. The Planning Commission decided, though, that a larger update should wait until after the Town completed the then-ongoing Code Create process to update zoning regulations. Code Create was completed in October 2023, and the work to update the full plan began in 2024.
State law and good planning practice place the Planning Commission in the role of developing the draft plan as a recommendation to the Town Council. The Planning Commission, with staff in support, spent two years working in subcommittees and getting input from the full range of the community, including residents, businesses and institutions. There was also direct outreach to boards and commissions, which provided helpful content for the plan.
The Planning Commission and staff consolidated all input and produced a draft for the Planning Commission public hearing, which was held on Dec. 1, 2025. After reviewing the public hearing testimony, including submitted written testimony, the Planning Commission made final decision...
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