Regional Open Houses for the Countywide Plan coming in October

The public is invited to a series of eight open houses in October where the progress of the Countywide Plan will be discussed along with a variety of topics including:

Drop in to any location at any time during the advertised time frame and share ideas by completing a survey, filling out a comment card, or discussing issues and questions with County staff.  Review the proposed Land Use Plan, review draft Community Plans, and explore new web-based maps.  Children can get involved through a coloring activity and people are invited to share their thoughts at the selfie station.

Those who cannot participate in person, please visit countywideplan.com/surveys to take an online survey.  Additionally, the Draft Community Plans will be available for review online in advance of the regional open houses at countywideplan.com/cp.

Everyone is welcome at the open houses, as the Countywide Plan will touch on aspects that may affect anyone who lives, works or owns property in a city, town, or unincorporated community in San Bernardino County.  The Countywide Plan will primarily address unincorporated areas.  However, county policies, programs, and services can also affect incorporated cities and towns.  In addition to residents, we encourage the attendance of service providers, nonprofits, the business community, and representatives from local, state, federal, and tribal agencies.

COUNTYWIDE PLAN REGIONAL OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE

ABOUT THE COUNTYWIDE PLAN AND COMMUNITY PLANS

From 2010 to 2011, the creation of a Countywide Vision included input from over 100 topical experts, 25 special districts and agencies, 18 community meetings, and over 3,600 resident surveys.  In 2015, the County launched the preparation of the first Countywide Plan, which is being developed over the course of three years to enhance coordination with the public, with outside agencies and organizations, and within the County organization itself.  It will serve as a resource for efficient and effective decision-making regarding countywide services and resources.

The Countywide Plan effort includes updating and creating new Community Plans to guide local expectations for County services and set clear direction for the future of specified unincorporated communities.

The ongoing civic engagement process for the Countywide Plan has included over 66 public meetings in dozens of communities, attracting over 1,700 participants to develop the content of the Community Plans. The Draft Community Plans will be available for review online in advance of the regional open houses at countywideplan.com/cp.  Attendees of the open houses will be able to discuss the Draft Community Plans with County staff.

The future of the County’s unincorporated areas is currently guided by the 2007 General Plan and 13 Community Plans. The Countywide Plan will include innovative and action-oriented updates of those documents and will also expand the total number of Community Plans from 13 to 27.

Visit countywideplan.com for additional information, and to sign up for text or email updates.

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