OAKLAND — Officials are scheduled to hold a first public workshop Thursday afternoon at the Town Office as part of drafting of Oakland’s new comprehensive plan.
The workshop will be the first part of a summerlong operation that will allow residents and business owners to express thoughts and opinions on the town’s values, its needs and the direction they believe it should take. Then the Oakland Comprehensive Planning Committee, which is made up of volunteers, will use the public input to craft the plan.
A comprehensive plan is typically a review of a municipality’s history, an evaluation of its current status and an outline for its future. Often it describes a community’s assets in terms of natural resources, housing, economy, infrastructure, transportation, recreation and public spaces and community facilities, and provides recommendations for how to improve those components.
Town Manager Gary Bowman described the document as a road map for the town to follow when implementing ordinances and initiatives.
Once a plan is drafted, it is up to town officials to follow through on carrying out the ideals set forth in the document.
“We have embarked on a two-year process to inventory the Town of Oakland and gather public input on a wide range of topics; this magnitude of data hasn’t been compiled in over two decades, and it is critical for leading the town in its desired direction for the next 20 years,” Bowman said in a statement.
In addition to workshops, a communitywide survey will be available for residents to fill out starting July 2. The survey will be available online and mailed to residents.
Bowman said he hopes there is a good turnout for Thursday’s workshop, which will take place at 4 p.m. at the Town Office.
“We’re doing all of this to make Oakland the best place to live,” he said.
Emily Higginbotham — 861-9239
ehigginbotham@centralmaine.com
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