Planning staff told the Bedford County Courthouse and Property Committee that work is underway on a comprehensive land-use plan and a long-range transportation plan, which the planning commission has already approved in principle. The staff member, introduced to the committee as Chris, described proposed overlay recommendations to limit density along key corridors, citing existing overlays on Bell Buckle Lane and Highway 231 as models.

Chris said the plan’s current form is a high-level guide rather than regulatory text and explained next steps: two Zoom meetings with consultant Volker to finalize a draft, planning commission review, and a series of public engagement sessions in which the public can comment. “By presenting the framework, we’re not saying this is how it’s gonna end up,” Chris said, adding the framework helps the public understand the plan’s components before providing input.

Commissioners encouraged one another to attend planning commission meetings or view them via livestream and to promote public attendance at upcoming engagement sessions. An IT representative said the county will begin live streaming planning commission meetings so the public can participate remotely. “We will be live streaming the planning commission meetings moving forward,” the IT representative said, noting the county’s goal of improved transparency.

Committee members said they supported staff’s approach but emphasized balancing growth control with infrastructure capacity and school impacts. The planning staff asked for continued commissioner input and pledged to bring the plan through the planning commission before public outreach. The committee did not take a formal vote on the plan; staff will return with further drafts and public-engagement dates.