Shenandoah County

Shenandoah County has recently developed a new Comprehensive Plan that addresses increasing growth in the rural county. The plan establishes a clear framework for development in the next twenty years. The vision statement expresses what we as a county want to be in the year 2025: still a primarily rural community that protects its natural resources, directs growth to towns, provides a variety of jobs, supports safe and efficient interstate transportation and maintains the rural character of its smaller roads, provides excellent education and public services, and ensures preservation of its natural beauty and historical character through strict adherence to the Comprehensive Plan.

During the series of public meetings held in October-November 2004, the Citizens
Advisory Committee identified the following seven major Comprehensive Plan-related challenges that the County leadership will need to deal with over the course of the Plan years 2005-2025:

1. Protecting the quality of our wells and streams.
2. Attracting quality business and industry.
3. Promoting and protecting farming as an occupation.
4. Balancing residential growth in rural areas of the county.
5. Community facilities to meet growing needs.
6. Transportation for the future.
7. Accountability.

The comprehensive plan is intended to be a living document that directs and informs the decisions of the county government, and is amended as needed to respond to changes in our county's needs.

Read more about the new Comprehensive Plan.
New comp plan, 81, PDR, historic preservation, etc.

Shenandoah County Groups

Shenandoah Forum
The Shenandoah Forum was formed in 2001 in response to rising development pressures and a lack of leadership in the rural county. The Forum is committed to leadership by consensus and has successfully used this approach to educate Shenandoah County residents about growth management and planning and I-81 issues.
Click here for more on the Shenandoah Forum

Shenandoah Preservation League
The League was formed in 1999 to coordinate efforts to preserve and protect the county’s extensive historic resources: battlefields, traditional towns, historic houses and other resources.
Click here for more on the Shenandoah Preservation League

Useful Links
Shenandoah County Government

Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation