By Matt de Simone
Botetourt County residents gathered Thursday afternoon at James River High School to share input on “Envision Botetourt 2045,” the county’s updated Comprehensive Plan that will guide how the community grows and evolves over the next 20 years.
The public session featured large display boards highlighting key components of the plan, including community facilities and services, transportation safety and mobility, housing, land use, the local economy, and the county’s rich cultural and natural environments. Residents were invited to provide feedback by writing comments on sticky notes and placing them on the displays in response to guiding questions. They also had the opportunity to meet with members of county administration and ask questions about the topics presented.
According to county officials, maintaining a visionary and up-to-date Comprehensive Plan is essential to Botetourt’s long-term success. The plan serves as the guiding document that county agencies, residents, employers, developers, and other stakeholders use to ensure that growth aligns with the community’s shared vision for the future. It helps shape the places where residents live, work, shop, and play; guides public services, infrastructure, and capital investments; and directs the use, density, and design of buildings within the county, directly influencing its physical form as it develops.
Photos by Matt de Simone
Over the past several years, county staff, community members, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Supervisors have worked together to create “Envision Botetourt 2045.”
Thursday’s meeting was one of several community feedback sessions being held across Botetourt County throughout October. Members of the county administration— including Planner II Jonathan McCoy, Planner II Matthew Lindsay, Community Development Manager Nicole Pendleton, and Planning Commission Chair Beth Leffel— were on hand to answer questions and discuss the information displayed.
County leaders emphasized that community participation is vital in shaping the final version of “Envision Botetourt 2045.” In addition to the in-person sessions, residents can explore the plan online, where it is divided into chapters covering specific topics. Each section includes a survey that allows residents to share comments and opinions directly.
The survey and additional information about “Envision Botetourt 2045” and upcoming public meetings are available at www.botetourtva.gov/361/Comprehensive-Plan.
