By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

HAHNVILLE – After two years of analysis and information gathering, St. Charles Parish now has a 20-year plan for future development that is ready for review and public comment.

Parish spokesperson Renee Simpson said the extensive document, known as the St. Charles 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, provides a vision for future growth and development of the parish over the next two decades based on input from residents, stakeholders and a 32-member citizen-based steering committee. The parish has held 19 public meetings on the new land use plan since the process began in 2009.

Simpson said starting Thursday, the land use plan will be available for viewing online at the parish’s website, www.stcharlesparish-la.gov. She said the home page will have a link to the plan on the left side of the page.

Hard copies of the plan will also be available for review at all branches of the St. Charles Parish Library after Thursday.

“I want to encourage all parish residents to have their voices heard by commenting on this plan,” Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. said in a statement. “It represents a concrete way for residents to shape the future of their own community while its success ultimately hinges on its responsiveness to the needs of the public.”

Simpson said the plan addresses several different elements, including economic development, land use, housing, community character, transportation, infrastructure and open space conservation. The plan looks to coordinate these elements to ensure that public funds are spent efficiently and effectively.

The plan also includes an implementation section that outlines immediate, short-term, mid-term and long-term action items necessary to carry out the recommendations of the steering committee.

The mission statement for the land use study notes that the parish strives to be a “vibrant and friendly community with a strong, diversified economy and a sound infrastructure system that offers protection and mobility.”

St. Charles Parish Planning and Zoning Director Kim Marousek-Marretta encouraged residents to pay special attention to areas that may interest them.

“Avid outdoorsmen should read what the plan has to say about recreational opportunities going forward, while working young adults might be more interested in parish growth and infrastructure,” Marousek-Marretta said. “Since the plan covers the parish as a whole, there’s really something of interest for everyone.”

Steering Committee member John Campo said the planning process was worthwhile for its ability to bring together the opinions of so many.

“The process allows everyone to look into the future of this parish with their own vision and come away with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the next 20 years,” Campo said. “This document reflects the input of so many diverse participants and is worth looking at to see those thoughts and efforts come together.”

In addition to viewing the plan online, or at a local library, Simpson said residents are also welcome to express their comments and concerns at the next regular meeting of the St. Charles Parish Planning and Zoning Commission. The commission will meet Thursday, June 2 at the St. Charles Parish Courthouse, 15045 River Road in Hahnville, starting at 7 p.m. Residents can also submit comments and suggestions until June 2 via email at, mstein@stcharlesgov.net, or standard mail to the Planning and Zoning Department, P.O. Box 302, Hahnville, LA 70057.