Council Adopts Updated Comprehensive Plan

Elkins City Council adopted an updated comprehensive plan Thursday, September 3. The vote completed a planning and public-review process that began in 2023.

The plan updates the city’s 2015 comprehensive plan. It reviews progress made since that plan was adopted and identifies goals and recommendations based on current conditions and community needs.

Comprehensive plans help local governments make decisions about land use, public investment, infrastructure, housing, transportation, economic development, recreation, and community services. They can also support grant applications by showing that proposed projects are based on an established planning process and identified community priorities.

The Elkins Planning Commission developed the plan with assistance from the West Virginia University Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic. The process included 15 Planning Commission meetings open to the public, 166 community survey responses, and responses from 30 local organizations and other stakeholders. Information from the city’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan was also incorporated.

The Planning Commission presented a draft at a public open house April 16. It began the formal adoption process in May, held a public hearing July 30, and recommended the plan to City Council. Council received a presentation Aug. 13 and held its own public hearing before adopting the plan Sept. 3.

The plan is organized around six main subjects:

• Public safety
• Housing
• Infrastructure and transportation
• Economic development
• Land use, recreation, and community character
• Technology and city services

Recommendations include supporting police and fire services, addressing unsafe structures, encouraging homeownership and housing rehabilitation, maintaining water and sewer systems, improving sidewalks and pedestrian safety, implementing the Downtown Streetscape and Riverfront plans, evaluating annexation opportunities, improving access to city information, and modernizing city technology.

Adoption of the plan does not fund or authorize each recommendation. Projects, expenditures, ordinances, and policy changes will still be considered separately through the city’s regular review and approval processes.

The plan includes an implementation matrix identifying priorities, timelines, responsible parties, potential partners, and possible funding sources. It is available at cityofelkinswv.gov/comprehensive-plan.