OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Karen Engstrom, left, comments on the proposed Comprehensive Plan created by the village of Mayville and town of Chautauqua.

After three years, a joint comprehensive plan for both the village of Mayville and town of Chautauqua is nearly complete.

The Comprehensive Plan covers topics including economic viability, land use and development, community livability and housing, mobility and access, and more.

The final draft of the Comprehensive Plan is 135 pages long. On Wednesday, both the village and town boards held public hearings to discuss the proposed plan.

Karen Engstrom, who has been an outspoken critic of wind turbines, solar projects and Battery Energy Storage Systems, spoke at both public hearings.

She noted that the plan has a large section devoted to renewable energy. Her concern is that the plan could be used against the town and village by developers in court cases.

“When an aggressive developer comes and tries to put a proposal before the board, they often look at the contents of the comprehensive plan,” she explained. “That comp plan will be used in court to override your zoning laws.”

Engstrom argued that the comprehensive plan should only have a few paragraphs on renewable energy, and have the town and village zoning regulations updated because they are much easier to update.

Another person who commented was John Jablonski, the former director of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy.

He recommended the plan address forest and wetland conservation.

“Forest is by far the largest land covered in the town, covering about 58% of the town. Following that are wetlands. Forests and wetlands are what deliver clean water to our lakes and streams,” he said.

Jablonski noted that improper development can harm forests and wetlands.

“Scattered residential development and energy development over time are serious threats to the water quality to the watershed, and the water quality of the lake,” he said.

He would like to see an overlay district included that would protect forests and wetlands.

After the public hearings, members of the Comprehensive Plan’s Steering Committee met to discuss the comments shared.

On Dec. 17 the village and town boards will have a special joint meeting at 7 p.m. at the Carlson Center in Lakeside Park. At that meeting the boards will vote to approve the Comprehensive Plan in its final form.

The current draft of the Comprehensive Plan can be viewed at www.chautauquamayvillefuture.com. Copies are also available at the Mayville library.