Gum Branch is the site of the ninth of 12 community-planning meetings hosted by the Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission, during which residents are encouraged to offer their input for the next comprehensive plan.

The meetings are every other month in locations that span from the sand hills to the salt marshes in Liberty County. The next one is set for 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 20, in Gum Branch City Hall, 5334 Highway 196 W.

The purpose of the meetings is to review recent development trends in the area and receive public input regarding future decision-making about land use, zoning and transportation.

The information received from these meetings will be used to formulate the 2040 Liberty County Comprehensive Plan — a guide for the development of the county and its communities during the next 25 years.

The comprehensive plan will be used by city and county elected officials to make decisions on proposed land-use developments as well as transportation and infrastructure investments.

LCPC staff will present maps of current land use, zoning and environmental constraints for the community.

The Gum Branch subarea takes in 8,976 acres.

The majority of the land is zoned agricultural and used for single-family residential development, which is allowed in the A1 (agriculture) zoning designation. There is limited commercial development.

The information gathered at the meeting will be used to update the proposed future land-use maps.

It will reflect what the land currently is being used for and possible development plans.

The meeting is open to the public, and public participation is desired.

For more information about the Gum Branch community-planning meeting, maps or the schedule of future community-planning meetings, contact Jeff Ricketson at 912-408-2033 or jricketson@thelcpc.org, or visit www.thelcpc.org.