Residents’ Input Wanted at Third Round of Workshops about Future Growth in Richland County

September 8 – 11, 2014 ~

COLUMBIA, SC – Richland County residents will have a third opportunity next week to offer up their insight and suggestions about what the future of Richland County should look like.

In its third and final installment, PLAN TOGETHER – a series of workshops aimed at garnering residents’ input – will host four days of “Viewing the Plan” sessions. At these sessions, the public will be able to read a draft amendment to the County’s comprehensive plan that deals with policies for future land use in Richland County.

“The plan being presented is a document created by the community,” said Richland County Comprehensive Planner LaToya Grate. “PLAN TOGETHER was made possible by the ideas and vision of Richland County’s citizens.”

In April, five public workshops were held throughout the County at which residents could gather information, talk to planning specialists and pore over maps and images. In July, five more workshops were held where residents used real-time voting technology to show their opinions about land-use policies, such as roadway expansion and protecting rural areas.

On Sept. 8-11, residents are once again encouraged to attend a planning workshop where a draft of the comprehensive plan amendment will be made available. These Viewing the Plan sessions will be held as follows:

• Sept. 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Pinehurst Park, 2300 Pinehurst Road, Columbia
• Sept. 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Rice Creek Elementary School (Multipurpose Room), 4751 Hardscrabble Road, Columbia
• Sept. 10, 10:30 a.m. -noon, Crane Creek Gym, 7405-B Fairfield Road, Columbia
• Sept. 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Dutch Fork Middle School (Cafeteria), 1528 Old Tamah Road, Irmo
• Sept. 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Eastover Park, 101 Main St., Eastover

“Information shared from participants has been great,” Grate said. “Attendees have provided their vision and ideas on how they want Richland County to look in the future. We drafted the plan’s content from the information that participants shared and are excited to bring the results for everyone to view.”

Grate said it’s not too late for community members to get involved. By attending next week’s sessions, residents will be able to see what is being planned and provide further thoughts.

The City of Columbia is hosting a separate series of PLAN TOGETHER workshops as it also revamps its comprehensive plan. By seeking extensive public input, officials aim to demonstrate that all parts of the County come together to form a common identity – and what happens in one area affects other areas as well.

“PLAN TOGETHER is not just a motto, it’s our call to action,” Grate said. “Residents, business owners, Richland County, the City of Columbia –  we all PLAN TOGETHER.”

Once the comprehensive plan amendment is finalized, it will be reviewed by the Richland County Planning Commission, then presented to County Council for adoption before the end of the year.

For more information, visit www.weplantogether.org or contact Grate at [email protected] or 576-2162.