Winchester Comprehensive Plan
Overview
Virginia Code Section 15.2-2223 (available from Virginia General Assembly Legislative Information System) requires that every locality review their plan once every five years but does not require that it be rewritten. The City of Winchester’s current plan is in the process of being updated with the purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the City which will, in accordance with present and probable future needs and resources, best promote the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the inhabitants, including the elderly and persons with disabilities..
The current Comprehensive Plan contains some chapters that have not been updated since 1991. The most recent changes were in 2005. The proposed 2009 update represents a substantially different plan for the City. An update is expected in 2014 to reflect the results of the 2010 Census.
Per State Code, the update and review of the current Plan will be undertaken by the Planning Commission. Assistance is being provided by City staff and hired consultants. An advisory committee has been established to assist the Commission. All meetings are open to the public and interested persons are encouraged to participate.
Upcoming Comprehensive Plan Public Input Meetings
Plan Update Process
Vision Word Exercise
Comprehensive Planning Process in Virginia
Virginia requires that every locality prepare and adopt a Comprehensive Plan for the physical development within its jurisdiction. Localities are tasked with making careful and comprehensive surveys and studies of the existing conditions and trends of growth, and the probable future requirements of its territory and inhabitants.
Current Comprehensive Plan
Below are the individual chapters and maps from the 1991 Comprehensive Plan with the 1999 and 2005 amendments.
- Table of Contents
- Chapter I - Introduction
- Chapter II - Economy
- Chapter III - Existing Land Use
- Existing Land Use Maps
- Chapter IV - Long Range Transportation
- Long-Range Transportation Plan Maps
- Chapter V - Downtown
- Existing Downtown Land Use Map
- Chapter VI - Housing
- Chapter VII - Community Facilities and Services
- Community Facilities Plan Downtown Map
- Community Facilities Plan Map
- Chapter VIII - Future Land Use
- Future Land Use Maps
- Chapter IV - Plan Implementation
- Appendix A
Proposed Comprehensive Plan
Below are draft chapters of the proposed Comprehensive Plan and maps.
Note: First drafts anticipated in late Fall 2008.