Together, we will!
As an official locality of the State of Virginia, the Town is here to serve our residents, businesses, and visitors. We are not associated with any political party. We want all persons to share in a welcoming spirit to enjoy all that Boones Mill's heritage and future has to offer.
Boones Mill 2040, The Town's Comprehensive Plan
"Plan your work and work your plan."
Glenn Teasley
Town of Boones Mill Receives
National Association of Development Organizations 2023 Impact Award
Washington, DC, November 20, 2023 – The Town of Boones Mill, Virginia has received a 2023 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for Boones Mill 2040, The Town’s Comprehensive Plan project.
Boones Mill 2040, The Town's Comprehensive Plan, was adopted by the Town Council on February 14, 2023. The plan reflects input received from residents, business owners, property owners, and local and state officials. It provides a long-term road map for the sustainable future of Boones Mill.
The plan presents several priority initiatives which include business development, infrastructure improvements, creation of a variety of housing types, preservation of historic structures, and demolition of existing structures beyond the point of reasonable remediation. It is written in a manner easy to understand and includes numerous informational graphics, diagrams, and pictures. It covers topics such as town design, residential development, economic development, town ordinances, flood control, transportation, public services, and education as they relate to the Town.
NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through regional cooperation, program delivery, and comprehensive strategies. The Impact Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and their partners for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation’s regions and local communities.
Award-winning projects were recognized during NADO’s 2023 Annual Training Conference held in Cleveland, Ohio on November 7-10. The 2023 class of award recipients consists of 107 projects from 71 organizations spanning 28 states. These projects are presented in an interactive story map developed by NADO that includes project summaries, partners, and images. The map is available online at nado.org/2023-impact-award-recipients.
“NADO’s Impact Awards program provides a yearly opportunity for us to publicly commend the indispensable services delivered by our members to their local communities,” said 2022-2023 NADO President Chris Fetzer, executive director of the Northern Arizona Council of Governments, located in Flagstaff, AZ. “These projects not only made positive impacts in their respective regions, but also underscore the incredible diversity of programs and resources offered by regional development organizations that promote vibrant, resilient, and thriving communities.”
The NADO Impact Awards are presented in honor of the late Aliceann Wohlbruck who served as NADO’s first executive director for 24 years as a tireless champion for regional approaches to economic development in rural communities.
About NADO
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) promotes public policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through the regional strategies, coordination efforts, and program expertise of the nation’s regional development organizations. Learn more about NADO at www.nado.org.
Adopted by Town Council February 14, 2023
Boones Mill 2040, The Town's Comprehensive Plan, was adopted by Town Council at its meeting on February 14, 2023, at 6 pm. The plan reflects input received from residents, business owners, property owners, and local and state officials. It provides a long-term road map for the sustainable future of Boones Mill.
The plan presents four priority initiatives which include business development, improvements to U.S. Route 220, creation of a variety of housing types, and preservation of historic structures and demolition of existing structures beyond the point of reasonable remediation. It is written in a manner easy to understand and includes numerous informational graphics, diagrams, and pictures. It covers topics such as town design, residential development, economic development, town ordinances, flood control, transportation, public services, and education as they relate to the Town.
Town Council and staff would like to recognize and thank the Western Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC), the Boones Mill Planning Commission, residents, property owners, businesses, and community leaders who have been involved in the planning process! Your input has been essential in making the plan a vision for Boones Mill’s future!
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
It is a regulatory document that serves as a “blueprint” for how a locality (county, city, town) wants to develop over an approximate 20-year period. It also serves as a basis for a community’s zoning ordinance. It involves a number of chapters, or “elements” such as land use, transportation, housing, community facilities, and goals and objectives for each.
Comprehensive Plans for localities are required by Virginia State Code Section § 15.2-2223, which states the plan is to be “general in nature.” The Code also states:
- The local planning commission shall prepare and recommend a comprehensive plan for the physical development of the territory within its jurisdiction… Furthermore, the commission shall make careful and comprehensive surveys and studies of the existing conditions and trends of growth, and of the probable future requirements of its territory and inhabitants.
- A “transportation plan” shall be developed as part of the plan.
- The plan shall show the locality’s long-range recommendations for the general development of the territory covered by the plan.
- The comprehensive plan shall include the designation of areas and implementation of measures for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of affordable housing…
- The comprehensive plan shall consider strategies to provide broadband infrastructure that is sufficient to meet the current and future needs of residents and businesses in the locality.
- The Transportation chapter must be reviewed by VDOT.
The Planning Process
The planning process consisted of three public input meetings. The first meeting introduced what a comprehensive plan is and why the Town is required to have one. It also served as the first official opportunity for residents and businesses to provide their input and ideas on the future of Boones Mill.
The second meeting featured representatives from the Town, the Virginia Department of Transportation, Franklin County Planning and Community Development, the Boones Mill Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, the Boones Mill Fire Department, and Franklin County Public Safety who were available to speak about specific issues in the town related to their expertise. Participants also had the opportunity to share their vision for development of the Town’s property.
The third meeting provided an opportunity to review the plan in its draft form before it goes to the Town's Planning Commission and Town Council for adoption.
