Morgan County begins push to update 10‑year comprehensive plan; WVU offers assistance

The Morgan County Commission and planning commission used the March 18 meeting to begin work on the county’s required 10‑year comprehensive plan update, which officials said must be current by 2027.

Speakers noted the plan’s role as a framework for ordinances and for guiding infrastructure and economic development decisions. Planning representatives said the existing plan was last updated in 2017 and emphasized that much of the document will require data updates, public hearings and outreach.

Representatives discussed an offer from West Virginia University to assist with the update. WVU’s proposed approach includes a planning‑commission audit of the old plan, public open houses, youth focus groups and a phased consultant effort. One planning member described the WVU proposal as a relatively low‑cost, multi‑phase option that starts with a review of the current plan’s sections and suggested public engagement steps.

Commissioners and planning commissioners discussed priorities to include in the update: infrastructure and water/sewer extension projects, industrial park expansion options, and how to address growth pressures without zoning. A commissioner noted the region’s projected growth and said infrastructure investment should be a central focus.

Officials agreed to continue the planning‑commission review, circulate WVU’s proposal to commissioners and consider establishing subcommittees to review specific plan sections. No final contract or appropriation was approved at the meeting; participants said budgeting for consultant support will be discussed during next week’s budget work sessions.

The planning commission and county agreed to maintain a timeline to complete the process well ahead of the statutory deadline, with a target of progress by early 2027.