The Boone County Planning Commission is currently updating the countywide Comprehensive Plan. Reviewed every five years, the Comprehensive Plan helps guide land use and development throughout unincorporated Boone County and the cities of Florence, Union and Walton.

The Comprehensive Plan is guided by a statement of Goals & Objectives, which are adopted by elected officials of the Boone County Fiscal Court, the Florence City Council, the Walton City Council and the Union City Commission. The approved Goals & Objectives form the framework for chapters of the Comprehensive Plan, which include:

• Environment
• Natural & Cultural Resources
• Economy
• Public Facilities and Services
• Transportation

“Our communities have seen tremendous change and growth since the Comprehensive Plan was last reviewed and updated in 2019,” shares Jenna LeCount, Director of Community Development Services for the Boone County Planning Commission. “Our Boone County 2045 serves to reflect what is important to the county as a whole and guides development in the coming decades.”

The Process of Updating Our Boone County 2045
The Planning Commission is currently reviewing the Goals & Objectives before diving into the chapters of the plan. Work started in the Fall of 2023 with public workshops around Boone County. The Planning Commission used input and insight from residents who attended those meetings, along with input from other stakeholders, to create the first draft of the Goals & Objectives.

Elected officials in each city and from Boone County, stakeholders and residents are currently invited and encouraged to review the draft Goals & Objectives and provide comments. This portion of the Comprehensive Plan aim to create aspirational, high-level goals for quality growth and development. Specific policies, processes and procedures will be addressed in the chapters of the plan.

Residents can review and comment directly on the Comprehensive Plan website. Comments close on Monday, Jan. 15.

When reviewing the draft Goals & Objectives, please consider the following questions:

• What needs have changed for our community that may not be reflected within the current draft?
• Has the county seen a change in priorities or needs associated with growth and development in the past several years? If so, what are they?
• What initiatives should be prioritized in Our Boone County Plan 2045?

Once individual legislative bodies approve and adopt Goals & Objectives for their residents and areas, work will begin on the next portion of the Comprehensive Plan. Residents will have additional opportunities to weigh in on specific chapters of the Comprehensive Plan this summer and early fall.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Comprehensive Plan, you can contact the Boone County Planning Commission at plancomm@boonecountyky.org or 859-334-2196.

 About the Planning Commission
The Boone County Planning Commission is a public agency that oversees planning and zoning for the cities of Florence, Union, and Walton and unincorporated areas of Boone County.  Legislative bodies in each of these areas appoint board members to the Planning Commission to represent the needs and interests of their residents. The Boone County Fiscal Court appoints six members, as does the City of Florence. The City of Walton appoints two members, and the City of Union appoints one board member. (View the list of Planning Commissioners and other appointed members of the Planning Commission).