CUMBERLAND – The Cumberland County Planning Commission is currently conducting a survey to gather input from Cumberland residents for the County's five-year update of the Comprehensive Plan.

The members of the Planning Commission would like to know the opinions of the general public on local issues and programs as a way to guide the update being conducted on the Comprehensive Plan.

The County's Comprehensive Plan lays out a vision for the future of Cumberland and citizen input is an “essential” part of the updating process.

Citizens can access the survey from the County's Planning Department website by visiting www.cumberlandcounty.virginia.gov/planning/index.html or on the Cumberland County Planning & Zoning Facebook page.

Those without access to the Internet are also encouraged to participate in the survey by calling the Planning and Zoning office at (804) 492-3520 to conduct the survey by phone. Participants can also visit the office to fill out a copy of the survey as well.

The Planning Department's office is located in the Courthouse Administration building and office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The results of the survey will be posted at the conclusion of the survey comment period on the County's website and on the Facebook page. Names will not appear with the report and all information will remain confidential.

Questions asked in the survey include rating the “overall quality of life” in Cumberland and the feeling towards commercial and residential growth in the county.

There are also open-ended questions that can be answered by participants. Those questions are based on topics such as attracting residential and business development; new activities, programs, and facilities for the future generations; what needs to change in the county; and details related to informing citizens.

The survey includes 24 questions and takes less than 10 minutes to complete and will be available until July 31.

For more information about the survey or to learn how to become involved in the County's Comprehensive Plan update which is being conducted by the Planning Commission with assistance being provided by the Commonwealth Regional Council contact Bret Schardein, Cumberland's planner, at (804) 492-3520 or email to bschardein@cumberlandcounty.virginia.gov.