PURPOSE
The Coshocton County Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CCLUP) was developed for the purpose of providing a broad strategic framework for the development and conservation of Coshocton County's land resources. It is a generalized long-range policy guide that provides the basis for future decisions on the physical, social, and economic development of Coshocton County and attempts to include the diversified interests of all citizens.

This document is the final product from the efforts of this process and should be viewed as a policy guide to decisions about the future development of the community. It represents a public vision statement of the most desirable uses of land for the next 5 to 50 years and is an all-inclusive approach at addressing the issue of the future growth of the community.  The plan was prepared to address compatibility issues between various uses of land, management and preservation of natural resources, identification and preservation of historically significant lands and structures, and takes a look at the inventory of cultural resources. In addition, the plan address issues related to parks, open spaces and recreation, residential housing, and potential economic development as it relates to future land uses in the community. The plan further explorers emergency services and law enforcement needs as they relate to potential growth patterns. Past, current and projected demographic profiles of the Coshocton County were examined in detail and have been integrated into the process.  Emphasis has been placed on the identification and preservation of agricultural land and environmental resources.  Integrated into the planning process is a close examination of the current and projected infrastructure needs relating to transportation, water and sewer services to include an assessment of the current and future technology and communications assets of the community.  Lastly, as part of the land use planning process, tourism and its historical roots and potential growth is integrated into the overall process as a viable attribute to the overall development of land in the Coshocton County.

It is extremely important to maintain a clear distinction between the Comprehensive Plan itself and implementing measures and is not to be construed as an attempt to create a regulatory document.  Implementing measures include such regulatory controls as zoning and subdivision codes, public land acquisition, taxation policies and public improvements which are just some of the methods or tools to implement land use policies.  These measures are specific actions and are the work of public policy and decision makers.  The Comprehensive Plan simply establishes a guide for future decisions regarding land use within the community.

As described, the term community applies to all land within the Coshocton County and encompasses the city, villages, and townships within. The scope of the plan also recognizes the influence of external social and economic growth patterns emanating from surroundings counties and communities.

A primary consideration in the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan should be its usefulness. The Coshocton County Plan is a statement of public values, beliefs and expectations intended for coordination purposes with other jurisdictions and in making specific decisions about present and future land use.  As stated earlier, the central purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is to provide a guide for the utilization of the land resources of Coshocton County.  To accomplish this, consideration must be given to all types and categories of land use.  There are many other aspects of our society that interrelate with land use activities and all must be considered concurrently in developing a Comprehensive Land Use Plan.  However, decisions on how to manage these other concerns should be consistent with, and based upon, land use considerations.  This has been the approach used in developing the Coshocton County Comprehensive Plan.  The Plan recognizes the land use impact of existing conditions and anticipates the possible impact of future changes.

Existing economic, physical and social conditions as well as projections of the most desirable future conditions must used to establish balanced policy and land use allocation in the future.  The balancing process should result in a plan that provides the greatest long-term benefit to the greatest number of present and future citizens of Coshocton County.

PROCESS
The original CCLUP dates back to 1972 and had little, if any, input from the citizens in the community, was not used and regarded as a plan developed to meet the requirements of the Federal Government as a prerequisite to receiving grant funds.

In the spring of 2002, The Coshocton County Board of Coshocton County Commissioners enlisted the aid of The Ohio State University Extension (OSUE), Coshocton County, to shape an educational process in an effort to enhance the local citizens understanding of land use planning and to prepare the community to respond to future land use decisions in an efficient and informed manner. Viewed as an educational process, this task was undertaken by (OSUE) in earnest by the fall of 2002 and was charged by the Board of Commissioners to ensure that there was a legitimate process that engaged and informed the community during all phases and development of the plan process. 

In the planning process, where governmental policies are being established, citizen participation is not only desirable but also essential. Therefore, an initial public meeting of over 120 individuals was held to ascertain the public’s desires, views and commitment to the land use planning process.  A post meeting survey instrument was used to solicit and measure the citizen’s input and establish goals and objectives for this undertaking.  Additionally, those in attendance were asked if they would volunteer their time to serve in one capacity or another during the proposed 18 to 24 month endeavor. This citizen-based approach and process encouraged the involvement of a number of Coshocton County citizens in an effort to reflect a cross-section of ideas and values supporting a desired outcome that reflects the consensus of the participants. The process focused on achieving the objective to open the planning process to any interested citizen or group in the Coshocton County. The intent is to create a broad base of support and "stakeholders" in the plan.

Involving the public in all stages of the planning process helps to build consensus and creates a plan in which the community has ownership. To accomplish this the Coshocton County Commissioners appointed a 24-member Steering Committee to oversee this plan's development. The membership of this committee represents a diverse background of both private and public interests in Coshocton County.  Commissioners used selection criteria based on demographics, bipartisanship, and leadership and declined to appoint elected or public office holders in attempt to create a neutral and unbiased environment.

The steering committee gained knowledge and skills through a series of initial training sessions focused on creating an educational awareness of comprehensive land use planning principles, procedures, and techniques.  Primary emphasis centered on recognized principles necessary to create an effective environment for planning purposes. 

TEN IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES
1. The Plan should be forward looking:  five to fifty-year time frame.
2. The Plan should be developed through a process of extensive         community involvement.
3. The Plan should have widespread community support.
4. The Plan should be based upon and adequately reflect                   community values, beliefs and expectations.
5. The Plan should be used to guide community decisions.
6. The Plan should be a living, community document that is               amended from time to time reflecting community changes.
7. All meetings of every committee should be open to anyone who       wishes to attend.
8. All media outlets for the Coshocton County should be kept             informed of meeting times and places.
9. Every reasonable effort should be made to listen to and consider     issues or concerns raised by those who are not active in the           planning process.
10.The committee must develop rules of procedure to facilitate the        orderly development of the plan.

Back to Top  

• All programs from 1:00- 3:00 p.m. at the Coshocton Chamber of Commerce
• Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, 2008 and Jan. 9, 2009
  

Coshocton County Links
Coshocton County Port Authority
Coshcoton County Board of Commissioners
City of Coshocton

The Ohio State University Related Links 
Extension Community Development 
Data Center 

State Government 
Connect Ohio 
State of Ohio Front Page 
Ohio Department of Development 
Ohio Department of Development, Office of Strategic Research 

Legislative Information 
Legislative Information Service 

Data and Demographics Information 
US Bureau of the Census 
American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association 
National Agricultural Statistics Service 
National Center for Education Statistics 
US Geological Society 
US Bureau of Labor Statistics 
US Department of Labor 
Department of Commerce Economic Statistics 

Miscellaneous Resources 
US Environmental Protection Agency 
Small Business Administration 
Center for Rural America 
Rocky Mountain Institute 
American Planning Association (APA) 
Sustainability 
University of Minnesota's Economic Development Policy Program 
Business Retention & Expansion International 
Kellogg Foundation 
Indiana Economic Development Academy 

Rural Development Centers 
Ohio Appalachia 
North Central Center for Rural Development 
Norteast Center for Rural Development 
South Rural Development Center 
Western Rural Development Center  

Back to Top