Council to hold hearing on proposed comprehensive plan

The Amherst Town Council will conduct a public hearing next week on the proposed comprehensive plan, which would be a blueprint for growth and development.

The town’s planning commission recently completed a two-year revamp of the plan, which lays out how Amherst would grow in the coming years and will be discussed in a public hearing next month.

The Amherst Town Council will hold the public hearing on the plan at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at Town Hall.

Region 2000’s Local Government Council and WW Associates assisted in preparing the plan.

The plan is an overview of existing conditions, with demographic profiles and a summary report on existing community services, facilities and programs.

The overview includes town history, population and demographics, housing, historic and cultural amenities, the economy, natural resources, land use and transportation.

It also is a peek into the future.

It lays out potential plans for economic development, water and sewer infrastructure, the environment, housing, public safety, public services, parks and recreation and potential uses for undeveloped land and redevelopment areas.

Also on the agenda for next week:

Suny Monk, executive director of the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, will give council members a presentation about the next phase of the town’s art meter public art project.

The council will consider approval of street lights on Walnut Street, Forest Avenue and Waugh’s Ferry Road.

The council will consider whether to purchase a new phone system for the town.