LEXINGTON — The Village of Lexington has put out its final call for input on the plan that could guide the community’s future for the next decade.

The Leverage Lexington committee released the final draft of its proposed 2035 Comprehensive Plan earlier this month. Village residents are asked to email any comments or questions to plancomments@lexingtonohio.us by Dec. 17.

The plan is an update of the village’s 1996 Comprehensive Plan, which was an update of the 1975 plan.

The comprehensive plan is written to encapsulate a broad vision for Lexington based on feedback from the community. The plan is not binding, but meant to inform the decisions village council and officials make in the future.

“This is something that should be the guide as far as strategy and objectives,” said Councilman Todd Wise, co-chair of the plan steering committee. “It’s supposed to be written broad enough that it’s flexible, but it should reflect the needs of the community.”

This plan includes seven topic areas, each with individual goals that can be accomplished over the short or long term.

Those topics include Lexington’s downtown, economic development, housing, parks and recreation, land use, public facilities and transportation.

After a final round of community feedback, the steering committee will finalize the plan and present it to the village planning commission. Once it gains approval from the planning commission, the draft will go to Lexington Village Council for a vote.

Mayor Brian White and Village Administrator Andrew Smallstey both said the plan will likely be presented to the planning commission in January.

“It’s exciting because a lot of things are happening in Lexington and we really want to have that plan in place as we move forward,” White said. “With the schools coming and all that growth, we really have to have that strategy and vision laid out.”

Background

The plan was developed by a 12-member steering committee of local leaders appointed by the village in consultation with Poggemeyer Design Group. Councilman Todd Wise and Bob Matney, a member of the village planning commission, were appointed co-chairs of the committee.

The draft states the village retained Poggemeyer Design Group to help update its comprehensive plan in February 2020, but the planning process was delayed until early 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To insure public input, the committee conducted a community-wide survey, interviews with community stakeholders and two plan development workshops at Lexington High School over the course of the last year.

White said that an estimated 40 percent of village residents responded to the survey.

“That’s outstanding,” he said. “You don’t see type of participation in surveys of this magnitude.”

White said having a plan in writing could open up more opportunities for the village to get outside funding.

“Part of the planning process is to put us in a position to pursue other revenue sources, whether that be through grants or state monies,” he explained. “The number one thing you have to do first before you chase any of that stuff is to have a solid plan.”

“We’re looking for partnerships,” he added. “Public private partnerships is something we haven’t done a lot of in this village. This is a great opportunity.”

To read the proposed final draft of the Leverage Lexington 2035 plan, click here.