Preparing for Comprehensive Planning - Mathews County, Virginia
Mathews County, located on Virginia's Middle Peninsula, is surrounded by water. The county's rural, scenic beauty and special quality of life have led long-time residents to stay and a number of newer citizens to settle in. All share a concern for maintaining what's unique about Mathews - a perfect topic for the County's comprehensive plan.
Goals
Mathews officials contacted NEMO about assistance in preparing for revising the County's comprehensive plan. Specifically, the county was interested in:
- Stimulating interest and engagement in the forthcoming planning process
- Introducing community stakeholders to broad topics expected to influence Mathews County in the coming five to twenty years
- Preparing community stakeholders and county officials with a solid understanding of the value and function of planning
- Building a cadre of existing planning commission members and potential future members who are knowledgeable about planning process, tools and approaches
Process
Working with County officials, NEMO partners helped design, develop and deliver a five part civic education series and a citizens planning academy workshop. The series, called "Talking About the Future - Second Tuesdays in Mathews" explored a specific topic each month from October 2007 to February 2008 in an evening workshop. The workshop sessions addressed:
- Linking Land, Water and Growth
- Growth - What's Happening In & Around Mathews?
- Mathews Economy: Fostering Sustainable Economic Development
- Mathews Valuable Resources (Wetlands & Shorelines; Forests; Agriculture;
- Natural Heritage; History & Heritage)
- Planning the Direction of Your Community
Each evening began with an introduction by the County Administrator, followed by a presentation, then about an hour of facilitated discussion.
Outcome
All five "Second Tuesdays" sessions were well attended - sixty to eighty participants each evening, including citizens, planning commission members and members of the County Board of Supervisors. Discussions were lively with participants voicing their concerns and desires for the future of the county.
Here's an example: During the final Tuesday session, participants saw a NEMO presentation on steps and tools communities can use to plan for the future and incorporate key resources into decision-making. Then, the NEMO team facilitated an interactive workshop to help participants describe elements of their vision for Mathews' future. On a long wall the team had pre-posted elements participants had already identified in the prior four forums. Using large sticky cards and markers, participants then posted dozens of additional elements they want to see in Mathews - in categories ranging from "landscape & environment" to "economy" to "governance." The very active evening ended with the group noting ways for continuing their involvement in the next stages of county's comprehensive planning process.
Sponsors and NEMO Network Partners
Second Tuesdays sessions were sponsored by Mathews County, Mathews County Sustainable Environment & Economic Development, Mathews Memorial Library and NEMO.
NEMO Network partners involved in presenting the Second Tuesdays sessions include: Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation, Virginia Cooperative Extension, National Park Service, Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission, Virginia Department of Forestry, Mathews Historical Society, and Maritime Heritage Foundation.
More Information
NEMO Fact Sheet Mathews County (.pdf)
Jonathan Doherty, Chesapeake NEMO
Todd Janeski, Virginia DCR/Virginia NEMO
Steve Whiteway, Mathews County Administrator