Many community members completed the survey, and Consensus Planning is now tabulating the results. As of October 20th, we have received 227 completed surveys and would love to receive many more. If you haven’t already, please take the survey before it closes on November 7th, using the link on the homepage, and share it with your friends and family. The survey can be taken on a phone, computer, or, if you prefer, a hard copy, which is available at the Chaves County Administrative Center, 1 St. Mary’s Place, Roswell.
Steering Committee Meetings
The Chaves County Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee meetings provide community representatives with a guided opportunity to discuss important issues affecting the County that should be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan update. During these discussions, the Committee has reviewed survey results and the current 2016 Comprehensive Plan. The discussions focused on a few main topics: agriculture, renewable energy, working with federal and state government agencies, managing public lands, and tackling local challenges.
Steering Committee members noted that since 2016, the number of dairies in Chaves County has dropped to just 15, leaving about 53,000 dairy cows in the County. This reduction is mainly due to a prolonged drought. More rain in 2025 and fewer cows have allowed some grass to grow back, raising concerns about winter fire risk. The Steering Committee discussed ways to include wildfire prevention in the Comprehensive Plan and strategies to attract more dairy farms back to the area.
Renewable energy, like solar and wind power, was another important topic. The Steering Committee wants to ensure that new energy projects won’t disrupt nearby residents. The Committee agreed that tightening regulations is essential to mitigate potential impacts to residents and to the environment.
The current Comprehensive Plan includes a robust section outlining Chaves County’s approach to communicating with federal and state agencies. The Steering Committee agreed that this section will need to be revised in light of updates to federal and state regulations. They want to ensure that local needs are addressed and that the Comprehensive Plan update reflects the County’s values and expectations.
Managing public lands is also a priority. The Steering Committee believes these natural landscapes should allow multiple uses. They discussed the need for clear rules about how to manage public lands and to establish ongoing dialogue with federal agencies that oversee these areas.
Lastly, the Steering Committee talked about various challenges in the community. They emphasized the need for a solid plan to enforce building and land use rules as the County grows. Expanding on the asset management plan using GIS would help create a more efficient process for maintaining County owned properties. Addressing groundwater pollution, illegal dumping, and supporting local community groups are also crucial.
The Steering Committee will meet throughout the process. Updates will be posted on the website as they are available.
Chaves County Comprehensive Plan 