CAP advocates for well-planned growth and development in Rockingham County and its towns. We support efforts to channel new growth to existing towns, in order to reduce the cost of providing public services to new development, such as roads, schools and sewer, and to preserve the integrity of the county's agricultural lands.
City of Harrisonburg Comp Plan Update
To review and update the City of Harrisonburg's Comprehensive Plan, the Planning Commission invites you to share your thoughts and ideas for the City's long term guide.
Beginning April 29, 2010, Planning Commission will join all interested citizens at the auditorium of the Lucy F. Simms Center for Continuing Education to listen and to participate in dialogue on themes such as development, transportation and other community issues. The conversations and ideas will be recorded and incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan where appropriate. Each event will occur once a week, for four consecutive weeks, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 29th - Land use and Transportation,
Wednesday, May 5th - Natural Resources and Community & Safety Issues,
Thursday, May 13th - Cultural Resources and Revitalization, and
Rockingham County planners are considering revisions to the zoning ordinances that govern where new residential, commercial and industrial development should take place. CAP staff and members serve on several county committees studying aspects of the changes.
Rockingham County last updated its Comprehensive Plan for growth in 2006. CAP believes that two of the best things in the current plan are the Urban Growth Boundaries (UGB) and the goal to channel 80 percent of new development to areas within the UBG. By targeting growth around existing towns and the City of Harrisonburg, where water and sewer services currently exist, and by designating the rest of the county as "Agricultural Reserve," the County has sent a strong message to landowners and developers about the County's growth intentions. Rockingham County Comprehensive Plan
Wind Energy Development & Planning
CAP encourages the use of low-impact
small and medium-size wind power facilities to meet individual and
local needs, while urging county officials to carefully plan for the
siting and management of industrial-scale projects to avoid negative
impacts on the landscape, wildlife, scenic vistas and other natural
resources. CAP's executive director sits on a county committee studying
wind energy planning.
The forest comprises about 24
percent of the land in Rockingham County and provides drinking water to
52,635 residents in Rockingham, Harrisonburg, Bridgewater and Broadway.
Federal officials are currently rewriting the forest management plan.
CAP is pleased to note that Rockingham County Supervisors approved a
resolution concerning forest drinking water resources in 2008. Rockingham Forest Drinking Water Resolution
