Rockingham County has recently adopted its updated Comprehensive Plan, which seeks to be a forward-looking document that will guide the County’s development over the next 20 years. Approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors on July 10, 2024, the plan addresses key areas such as land use, housing, transportation, and the protection of rural and agricultural lands through 2045. The plan has also integrated public feedback, including calls for greater emphasis on sustainable strategies, to align with community’s priorities and concerns. The Comprehensive Plan’s adoption followed extensive collaboration among county officials, residents, and other stakeholders, ensuring that the plan is both comprehensive and representative of the community’s vision. The CSPDC developed the Transportation Chapter of the plan.
A significant component of the update is the inclusion of the Stone Spring Urban Development Area (UDA), which focuses on a strategically located corridor south of Route 33, stretching between Cross Keys Road and the Harrisonburg city limits. This UDA is intended to manage anticipated growth, ensuring that the County’s infrastructure and services can meet the evolving needs of its residents. By designating the Stone Spring UDA as a priority for urban development, the County aims to align this area with its broader objectives of sustainable and balanced growth. As part of this process, multiple iterations of conceptual land use maps were developed, with final proposals providing a clear framework for future development within the UDA and across the County. In approving the plan, the Board also acknowledges the importance of adaptability in a changing County, envisioning future amendments as conditions and priorities change over time.
With this updated Comprehensive Plan, Rockingham County believes it is poised to maintain thoughtful growth, balancing development pressures with the need to preserve its rural character and agricultural heritage.
To learn more, visit www.rockinghamcountyva.gov/404/Comprehensive-Plan and www.rockinghamcountyva.gov/803/Stone-Spring-UDA-Plan.