(10/15) Town Planner Najila Ahsan introduced a new outline for the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, updated from the version discussed in July. The plan is designed to set forth the Town’s policies in the areas of land use and community development, natural resources, transportation, utilities, recreation and housing. It is reviewed and updated every ten years and will guide the Town through the year 2045.

The outline specifically talks about the purpose of the entire plan and establishes clear goals and visions for Emmitsburg’s thriving future. It contains maps and illustrations providing the basis for the regulations that are needed for land use, community development, natural resources, transportation, utilities, recreation and housing. Ahsan explained the reason for reorganizing the outline was that, "This was more organized than what we had before." There were also minor clerical changes made.

Besides sharing the new outline, the Commission reviewed the first two out of ten chapters of the plan. One goal in these chapters is to create a registry for vacant properties. Chairperson Mark Long asked how the registry would be created. Ahsan explained that Town staff was still exploring the strategy they wanted to use, but would likely use the SDAT (Real Property Data Search) program to find the registered owner of the vacant property to create an inventory. The Town could also contact the property owner and request them to register the property.

Long also mentioned the importance of the rehabilitation section of the Plan. "We have so many rental units that need rehabilitating," he said. "Are we going to work with the owners to get grants or enforce codes?" Ahsan confirmed the intention to do both and mentioned that if a building is found to be hazardous the Town can take action. She mentioned grants that are available, including the Community Legacy Grant which funds the Facade Improvement program, allowing buildings in need of a "facelift" to get the work done with financial aid.

Another important comment made by Long was about how the Town could streamline the process of rehabilitating properties. Initially, the Plan stated a goal of two years for making the process quick and efficient by reducing the amount of paperwork necessary. After discussing the depth of the Town’s Codes and Laws, the Commission decided to remove the two-year timeline, making the goal more flexible.

In July, Diane Walbreaker, who was involved in the 1990s Comprehensive Plan, suggested creating a group of representatives from certain areas in town to meet once a month to discuss what changes and/or improvements they want to achieve with the Plan update. Although the group was created and has met, she was concerned over the lack of public involvement.

The Commission pointed out that the Plan itself is online and the Planning Commission and Town Council meetings are always public and online. Long also mentioned that anyone can email Town staff with questions and concerns. Workshops are also planned for October 30th and January 29th.