2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 8A. Land Use Planning › Article 3. Comprehensive Plan › §8A-3-4. Mandatory Components of a Comprehensive Plan

(a) The comprehensive plan is a written statement on present and future land use and development patterns consisting of descriptive materials, including text, graphics and maps, covering the objectives, principles and guidelines for the orderly and balanced present and future economic, social, physical, environmental and fiscal development of the area under the jurisdiction of the planning commission.
(b) A comprehensive plan shall meet the following objectives:
(1) A statement of goals and objectives for a governing body, concerning its present and future land development;
(2) A timeline on how to meet short and long-range goals and objectives;
(3) An action plan setting forth implementation strategies;
(4) Recommend to the governing body a financial program for goals and objectives that need public financing;
(5) A statement of recommendations concerning future land use and development policies that are consistent with the goals and objectives set forth in the comprehensive plan;
(6) A program to encourage regional planning, coordination and cooperation with other governing bodies, units of government and planning commissions; and
(7) Maps, plats, charts and/or descriptive material presenting basic information on the land included in the comprehensive plan, including present and future uses.
(c) The comprehensive plan shall have, but is not limited to, the following components:
(1) Land use. –- Designate the current, and set goals and programs for the proposed general distribution, location and suitable uses of land, including, but not limited to:
(A) Residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, educational, public, historic, conservation, transportation, infrastructure or any other use of land;
(B) Population density and building intensity standards;
(C) Growth and/or decline management;
(D) Projected population growth or decline; and
(E) Constraints to development, including identifying flood-prone and subsidence areas.
(2) Housing. -- Set goals, plans and programs to meet the housing needs for current and anticipated future residents of the jurisdiction, including, but not limited to:
(A) Analyzing projected housing needs and the different types of housing needed, including affordable housing and universally designed housing accessible to persons with disabilities;
(B) Identifying the number of projected necessary housing units and sufficient land needed for all housing needs;
(C) Addressing substandard housing;
(D) Rehabilitating and improving existing housing; and
(E) Adaptive reuse of buildings into housing.
(3) Transportation. -- Consistent with the land use component, identify the type, location, programs, goals and plans to meet the intermodal transportation needs of the jurisdiction, including, but not limited to:
(A) Vehicular, transit, air, port, railroad, river and any other mode of transportation system;
(B) Movement of traffic and parking;
(C) Pedestrian and bicycle systems; and
(D) Intermodal transportation.
(4) Infrastructure. –- Designate the current, and set goals, plans and programs, for the proposed locations, capabilities and capacities of all utilities, essential utilities and equipment, infrastructure and facilities to meet the needs of current and anticipated future residents of the jurisdiction.
(5) Public services. -- Set goals, plans and programs, to ensure public safety, and meet the medical, cultural, historical, community, social, educational and disaster needs of the current and anticipated future residents of the jurisdiction.
(6) Rural. –- Consistent with the land use component, identify land that is not intended for urban growth and set goals, plans and programs for growth and/or decline management in the designated rural area.
(7) Recreation. –- Consistent with the land use component, identify land, and set goals, plans and programs for recreational and tourism use in the area.
(8) Economic development. –- Establish goals, policies, objectives, provisions and guidelines for economic growth and vitality for current and anticipated future residents of the jurisdiction, including, but not limited to:
(A) Opportunities, strengths and weaknesses of the local economy and workforce;
(B) Identifying and designating economic development sites and/or sectors for the area; and
(C) Type of economic development sought, correlated to the present and projected employment needs and utilization of residents in the area.
(9) Community design. –- Consistent with the land use component, set goals, plans and programs to promote a sense of community, character and identity.
(10) Preferred development areas. -- Consistent with the land use component, identify areas where incentives may be used to encourage development, infill development or redevelopment in order to promote well designed and coordinated communities and prevent sprawl.
(11) Renewal and/or redevelopment. -- Consistent with the land use component, identify slums and other blighted areas and set goals, plans and programs for the elimination of such slums and blighted areas and for community renewal, revitalization and/or redevelopment.
(12) Financing. –- Recommend to the governing body short and long-term financing plans to meet the goals, objectives and components of the comprehensive plan.
(13) Historic preservation. -- Identify historical, scenic, archaeological, architectural or similar significant lands or buildings, and specify preservation plans and programs so as not to unnecessarily destroy the past development which may make a viable and affordable contribution in the future.