Read more: Local, Community, Adams, County, Comprehensive, Plan, Payson
Payson - Adams County residents spoke out against the county's proposed comprehensive plan during the first of several hearings on the final plan scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
Nearly one hundred area residents turned out for the first public hearing on the finalized plan in Payson Wednesday night. While many steering committee members for the plan were not present, those who were here got a clear picture of the feelings of folks here. The crowd's consensus: They don't want a comprehensive plan because of what it could lead to down the road.
Local resident Janet Ohnemus said, "The people have spoken, don't adopt the comprehensive plan."
Bill Beckman, Mayor of Plainville said, "We don't want the plan."
Dr. Tim Morgan, who spoke out against the plan said, "Not all change is good."
County Board Chairman Mike McLaughlin says the county comprehensive plan is basically a business plan for the county, to demonstrate where money can be invested to stimulate growth. But opponents say the county is trying to impose upon their way of life in rural areas, eventually bringing zoning to the county.
Norbert Buswell, Payson Mayor said, "This is rural Adams County, not Chicago or a big city."
Dr. Morgan said, "Since its a living, breathing document, it could be adapted at any tiime....it needs to stop now."
In fact the future land use segment of the original plan was ditched because of the public outcry against it.
Another speaker Tony Boone pointed out the deletion of several sections of the plan, including maps addressing the geological suitability of lagoons and septic tanks, highways and even home basements. He wanted to know the reason these maps were removed from the final plan.
JEO Senior Consultant David Potter says the maps were eliminated because they were hard to understand and were studies based only on soil samples.
Chairman Mike McLaughlin says these sessions will help steering committee members as well as the board make better decisions later on.
