Community COMPASS is
the Comprehensive Master Plan and Strategies for Hamilton County. A
comprehensive plan looks at all aspects of an area at the same time.
Comprehensive plans are important because sometimes when we look at
just one specific part of a community — perhaps roads or sewers — we
fail to look at the impacts on other aspects, such as schools and
parks. Many states require communities to develop and update a
comprehensive plan to help guide government decisions. In Ohio, such
planning is voluntary. Many businesses and other organizations use a
type of comprehensive plan called a strategic plan to help guide
their decisions and reach their goals.
Hamilton County has not conducted a comprehensive plan since 1964.
We cannot expect our governments to effectively invest our tax
dollars based on a 38-year-old plan.
As we enter a new century, the county and its 49 cities, villages
and townships must anticipate and plan for the new trends on the
horizon — how will emerging industries like bio-technology and the
Internet affect our community? Where will new jobs and businesses be
located? Will wealth be drained from the county as well-off retirees
move to warmer climates?
Many of these questions need our attention today. Without a broad
vision for Hamilton County, priorities shift in the wind. Where will
the next multimillion dollar investment be targeted — will it be
solving the Mill Creek flooding problem? Fixing the existing county
sewer system? Building light rail along I-71? Building new sewers
where septic tanks are failing? Redeveloping old industrial
properties? Building city schools? Developing Over-the-Rhine?
Without a plan that is current and has broad support, we may never
solve these problems, while allowing new problems to develop and
continue.
Click here for the Community
COMPASS Process
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