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With Licking County experiencing unprecedented residential and commercial growth, county officials are asking residents to help shape what the future of one of Ohio’s fastest-growing counties will look like.
The county has launched LC Forward, a countywide planning initiative designed to create Licking County’s first comprehensive growth strategy in more than 25 years. Through an online survey and a series of public engagement opportunities, residents are being asked to weigh in on issues including transportation, housing, economic development, farmland preservation, utilities and quality of life.
County leaders say the planning effort comes as communities across western Licking County continue to see rapid development fueled by major business investments, including Intel and related suppliers. Officials hope the plan will provide a coordinated roadmap for managing growth while protecting the county’s rural character and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with development.
The initiative will examine a wide range of topics, including land use, transportation networks, water and sewer infrastructure, parks and open space, housing availability and long-term economic sustainability. Officials say public participation is critical because the plan will help guide future decisions made by county leaders, townships and municipalities.
Unlike zoning decisions that affect individual properties, the comprehensive planning process is intended to establish broad goals and priorities for how the county should grow over the coming decades.
County officials are encouraging residents from every community—including Newark, Heath, Granville, Johnstown, Pataskala and surrounding townships—to complete the survey and share their priorities.
The planning process is expected to continue over the coming months before a final strategy is presented to county leaders for consideration. Officials say community input collected now will help determine how Licking County balances continued economic growth with infrastructure needs and preservation of its agricultural heritage.
