Our Future Lancaster - The Comprehensive Plan

Introduced by John Herr

Douglas Smith has held several staff positions with the City of Lancaster since 2014 and now serves as Bureau Chief of Planning within the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development.  He previously served as Senior Planner and Sustainability Planner at the City of Lancaster and was a driving force behind the City’s climate action plan.  Most recently, Douglas was integral to the City’s new Comprehensive Plan adopted in October 2023.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Franklin and Marshall College and a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan.

A comprehensive plan is a long-term vision for a community’s physical growth and development overtime.  It serves as a springboard for other planning efforts, such as a parks master plan, and serves as the foundation for changes in zoning and other development codes.  In October 2023, City Council adopted a new comprehensive plan known as Our Future Lancaster, which is the first city-focused comprehensive plan since 1993.  The document responds directly to residents’ priorities and sets an ambitious work plan for the city over the next 10 years that aims to address the housing crisis, economic opportunity, environmental conservation, improved services for residents and many other things.

City of Lancaster Bureau of Planning:
https://www.cityoflancasterpa.gov/departments/department-of-community-planning-economic-development/land-development-city-design-division/bureau-of-planning/

Comprehensive Planning:
https://www.cityoflancasterpa.gov/comprehensive-planning/

Planning Our Future Lancaster:
https://ourfuturelancaster.com/

City Reveals first Comprehensive Plant in 30 Years:
https://www.abc27.com/local-news/lancaster-city-reveals-first-comprehensive-plan-in-30-years/