Lewis County plans Nov. 12 open house on comprehensive plan update

Lewis County will hold a drop-in open house Nov. 12 in Croghan to gather public input for an update of its Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan. The event will run from 1:30 to 7 p.m. at Moving Mountains Cafe, 9719 State Route 812, Croghan.

The county says the open house is intended to help shape priorities for grant funding, infrastructure, housing, and local plans and policies. Visitors can stop in at any time during the event, view interactive poster boards about themes and trends identified so far, and share feedback and ideas. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Optional pre-registration is available through a SurveyMonkey link on the county’s comprehensive plan project page.

A guide for the next decade

The updated plan is intended to guide growth in Lewis County for the next 10 or more years. It will address agriculture and open space, housing, economic development, the environment and resiliency, transportation and infrastructure, energy, health care, and recreation, tourism and quality of life.

The county received a $215,280 New York Smart Growth Community Planning grant for the update. The project began in March 2026, with LaBella Associates serving as the planning consultant. Lewis County appointed a steering committee Feb. 3, 2026.

The county’s current comprehensive plan was adopted Oct. 6, 2009. The plan is a guide and is not a regulatory document for towns and villages. The update is expected to be completed by August 2027 and must be adopted by the Lewis County Legislature after a public hearing.

What the plan could address

The planning effort covers issues affecting residents, farmers, business owners, town and village boards, and the county health system. The project includes an energy generation audit and a preliminary facilities assessment of Lewis County General Hospital. It also considers roads, water infrastructure, jobs, farmland, housing, and energy projects.

The county’s outreach requirements include at least two public workshops, a survey, focus groups, a public hearing, and efforts to reach underrepresented groups. A community survey and a July 1, 2026, workshop at Town Hall Theater in Lowville were part of the engagement process. Several Lewis County towns have also recently adopted their own plans, including Greig on March 25, Martinsburg on March 31, New Bremen on April 13, and Denmark on Dec. 15, 2025.

What happens next

The Croghan open house is the next scheduled opportunity for residents and other community members to provide input. The county must later hold a public hearing, with newspaper notice at least 10 days in advance. The final plan will then go to the Lewis County Legislature for adoption.

Questions can be directed to Lewis County Planning and Community Development at 315-377-2000 or by mail at 7660 N. State St., Lowville, NY 13367. Project information and updates are available on the Lewis County comprehensive plan webpage.