Project Description:

Like many small and rural communities, Hot Sulphur Springs had historically seen limited growth and preferred simple regulations to allow flexibility for property owners. However, by 2020, rising development pressures made the Board of Trustees realize that their subdivision and zoning regulations were no longer adequate to protect the town’s character.

As the contracted Town Planner, CPS designed and delivered a targeted training program for the Board of Trustees and Planning & Zoning Commissioners. Beginning in 2020, quarterly sessions covered key topics such as:

• Municipal Planning 101

• Land Development Processes & Application Review

• Comprehensive Planning & Community Engagement

• Code Assessment & Building Permit Process

• Impact Fees

• Short-Term Rentals

• Subdivision Improvement Agreements

• Enforcement

These trainings equipped the Board and Planning Commission with the knowledge and confidence to pursue a comprehensive plan update and a full rewrite of the town’s land development code—ensuring regulations support growth while preserving the small-town character residents value.