WINFIELD -- County officials are hoping for a better turnout at the next Putnam County Planning Commission open forum, scheduled for Nov. 17.

The purpose of the meetings is to gather community input on how residents want to see their county shaping up in the next 10 years and beyond. Information gathered will be considered as the county puts together its strategic plan.

However, public turnout was less than ideal at the first meeting on Oct. 27. Still, the meeting went on and planning committee members shared their own visions for the county's future.

Dr. Michael Doughtery of the WVU Extension Service led the discussion, guiding the group through topics pertaining to specific hurdles and challenges that exist for the county when it comes to economic and recreational development.

The county's zoning ordinance was identified as one of those hurdles. Planning committee member David Powell said the county has been a proverbial bedroom community for too long, and residents want to attract business to the community. Powell suggested the need for "blending additional commercial and industrial sites into established communities."

Scott Williams, director of Putnam Parks and Recreation, also said space needs to be made available for recreational activities, which make all the difference between a place where people sleep at night and a place where they live and play.

"Once citizens make a 20 mile or so commute, they want to stay home," he said.

Committee member Joe Tyree said he thinks Putnam County currently has limited cultural activities, and those activities that do exist are mainly geared toward children. He also said public transportation is lacking.

The need for more sidewalks was also discussed. Doughtery said that when accessibility is improved, other changes will logically follow.

Williams suggested that perhaps "cluster planning" in open areas would help the problem. The trend for years in residential development has prohibited any other types of development next to residential areas. Open areas next to subdivisions are commonly used for drainage purposes. Williams suggested those areas might instead be utilized to develop trails.

The committee also discussed affordable housing for first-time buyers, infrastructure improvements, flexible zoning, elderly services, preserving and capitalizing on the area's rich history, and providing more facilities to accommodate events like sports tournaments, school dances, reunions and other large gatherings.

The public is invited and encouraged to bring ideas, comments and suggestions to the next Planning Commission meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17. For more information, visit http://planning.putnamcounty.org/.

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