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As a result, the Coalition takes the position not to endorse the proposed plan. A summary of <br /> the facts and perceptions that brought us to our conclusion are found in the Position Statement <br /> of which you have a copy. <br /> The Coalition has not yet decided if it will make suggestions for how our concerns might be <br /> addressed. Personally, I hope we will be able to offer some suggestions later this month. Also <br /> speaking personally—and not for the Coalition -- I'd like to share some additional comments. <br /> I think it is commendable that the County will soon have a unified report that addresses seven <br /> different functional elements, all chapters completed simultaneously. Hopefully, the plan will <br /> not only continue the stewardship of our natural and cultural resources but—just as importantly <br /> -- also promote the County's sustainable growth and development. Unfortunately I have little <br /> confidence this will happen. <br /> Let me explain. The Coalition members believed we could make a valuable contribution to the <br /> public discourse about the County's future. Now that the proposed plan is finished, I wish the <br /> contributions of the Coalition — and other members of the public—were more in evidence. <br /> This causes me great concern. The Coalition's Vision Statement says in part: "Sustainability is <br /> achieved when stakeholders representing diverse interests work together cooperatively..." <br /> (attached). <br /> Sadly, I don't think the proposed plan represents the diversity of interests needed to assure <br /> that the outcomes inspired by this Plan will lead the County along a greater path of <br /> sustainability, a path that is likely to be of urgent necessity in the not too distant future. <br /> Right now I see no evidence that implementing this plan in its current form will significantly <br /> correct two of my greatest concerns: the shortage of commercial and industrial development <br /> which places to much burden on residential property taxes and the inadequate supply of <br /> affordable and workforce housing in the County. <br /> Other than delaying approval and improving the current plan prior to implementation, I believe <br /> the key to obtaining these and other long-desired outcomes is to use the implementation <br /> phase to transforms the document's encyclopedic character into a visionary document that is <br /> clear in its priorities and unequivocally supported by a broad array of interest groups. <br /> Absent such a transformation, I doubt the proposed Comprehensive Plan will significantly alter <br /> the Status Quo. <br /> Allan Rosen, Orange County, NC <br /> Vision Statement <br /> The Orange County Comprehensive Plan Coalition <br /> August 6, 2007 <br /> In October 2006, the Orange County Board of Commissioners initiated a two-year process to <br /> update the county's Comprehensive Plan. This presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for <br />