Join host Doria Fleisher as she sits down with Charles County's Comprehensive Plan team — Joel Binkley, Long Range Planning Supervisor; Amy, Project Manager for the Comprehensive Plan update; and Tony Phelps, Assistant Chief of Planning. This episode breaks down what a comprehensive plan actually is, why it guides nearly every decision the county makes (from zoning to roads to where tax dollars go), and where Charles County stands in its current 20-year planning process. Hear about the extensive public engagement effort already underway, the common themes residents are sharing from Bryans Road to Waldorf, and what happens next as the plan moves into the drafting phase. Whether you've never heard of a comp plan or you've been following the process closely, this conversation will help you understand why your voice matters and how to stay engaged.

00:00 – Welcome & Meet the Comprehensive Plan Team 01:31 – What Is a Comprehensive Plan? 03:23 – Why It's the Community's Plan, Not Staff's 04:14 – Where the Process Stands Today 04:21 – How the County Has Gathered Public Input 05:36 – Common Themes Residents Are Sharing 11:27 – Bridging Charles County's "Two Counties" 11:48 – Why Every Voice Needs to Show Up 12:43 – How to Stay Updated on the Plan 12:59 – What Makes This Plan Different 14:16 – Reaching Residents Beyond the "Loud Voices" 16:05 – Housing: A Growing Priority 16:50 – Related Listening: Affordable Housing Explained 17:08 – Final Thoughts: Why Staying Engaged Matters 19:48 – How to Ask Questions & Get Involved 20:24 – Join the Citizens Academy

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