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Residents say plan is "being pushed through"
Posted: 09.23.2009 at 9:38 PM
Melissa Shriver

Melissa Shriver is a News Anchor and Reporter for KHQA.

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Adams County - The final draft of the Adams County comprehensive plan will come under public scrutiny over the next two days.

More public meetings are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday to listen to the pros and cons from the public.

You can find dates, times and locations below.

Many people living in rural Adams County have told KHQA they fear this plan will mean countywide zoning.

And they told KHQA, the county board is pushing ahead with plans against the will of the public.

Back in July of 2008, a concerned resident said, "You can't have a plan for land use...that's zoning."

That's the public outcry heard at almost every hearing or public meeting addressing the comprehensive plan. And opponents of the plan, like Tony Boone, say despite the very public opposition, the steering committee is moving ahead.

Do you think the county is pushing this through without public support?

Boone said, "We believe so personally as well as a number of other individuals that we talk with. There is overwhelming opposition, there is a lead toward that so there is a certain amount of mistrust that they are not listening to the citizens of Adams County."

What's your response to people who say this is being pushed through without public support?

Adams County Board Chairman Mike McLaughlin said, "I don't necessarily agree with that. I think that is something that people are saying because they're upset with one aspect of it."

A group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Adams County has been collecting petitions from local townships and incorporated villages for about a year.

Boone says officials in 22 of the county's 23 townships and nine of the incorporated towns in Adams County have signed petitions against the comprehensive plan. 260 businesses and individuals also have signed.

Boone said, 'It's overwhelming that we are against this plan."

Boone pointed out this section of the plan, which states it should respect the desires and attitudes of residents. A survey early in the planning process showed 75 percent of residents think a plan like this would hinder their property rights. KHQA asked County Board President Mike McLaughlin about that.

McLaughlin said, "The comprehensive plan isn't about their property rights, it's about developing a plan for the economic development and future growth of this county."

Wednesday, Sept. 23rd at 5:30 P.M. in the Payson Elementary Multi-Purpose Room

Wednesday, Sept. 23rd at 8:00 P.M. at the Liberty Middle School Gym

Thursday, Sept. 24th at 2:00 P.M. in Rooms D024 & D025 of the Paul Heath Building at JWCC

Thursday, Sept. 24th at 5:30 P.M. at the Mendon Middle School Gym

Thursday, Sept. 24th at 8:00 P.M. at the Central Junior Gymnasium

The Steering Committee Meeting Wednesday, Oct. 7th at 6:30pm in room A021 JWCC (Science & Tech Building South end)

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