Change is always happening—if you love Worthington, this is your chance to help define what makes our community special while planning for an even stronger future. Worthington has a strong legacy of thoughtful planning and a commitment to following through on those plans, shaping the welcoming and thriving community we know and love. Now, we have an opportunity to build on that success, ensuring positive, tangible improvements.
Worthington Together will be an open, transparent process that reflects the input of our community’s residents and businesses. Everyone’s ideas and feedback are welcome. The process will build on the recent Vision Worthington effort, reflect the changes that have shaped our city over the past 20 years, and set the course for our future.
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A Comprehensive Plan is a long-term guide that expresses the values and aspirations of a community. It is the broadest public policy document a community can create for its future physical development considering the input of citizens, businesses, and other stakeholders. It includes a vision about the future condition of the City; goals and desired outcomes for topics like land use, housing, economics, parks, and transportation; and specific actions to achieve the goals. The plan is a tool to prepare for change and acts as both a business plan and guidebook for decision-makers. Worthington’s comprehensive plan is used regularly to guide many city decisions such as budgeting, zoning and other regulations, and infrastructure investment.
The Process
The plan update is a significant undertaking that is anticipated to last approximately 14-16 months. It is expected to be completed in early 2026.
Why should you participate?
Help shape the future of Worthington.
The comprehensive plan is a policy guide that covers topics such as housing, population, parks and recreation, community services, and economic trends. This will guide our community for the next several decades, so you will not want to miss participating. Now is the time to come together and help shape the future of Worthington.
It’s your community. You are the expert.
If you live, work, learn, worship, or play in Worthington we need your input! Your ideas and your feedback will ensure that this comprehensive plan maintains our quality of life while bringing even more vibrancy to our community.
Planning ensures we achieve our vision.
Vision Worthington established the City’s vision for the future and now is the time to define the specific steps to get us there. Your input will help put the plan into action through specific projects, policies, and programs. By sharing your thoughts and ideas, we can achieve our vision one step at a time.
It’s a unique moment in time for Worthington.
The current comprehensive plan was created nearly 20 years ago. It’s time for a detailed look at what’s working well and what can be improved. Help make sure that our plan supports the goals and desires of everyone in our community.
Who is involved?
Community Committee
Process leadership
The Committee is a diverse group of community members that will meet regularly throughout the process provide guidance on the process and substance of the Plan, will serve as community advocates, and may serve as stewards of the completed Plan.
Learn more about the Community CommitteeSubject Matter Experts
Targeted input
Various interested parties and subject matter experts will convene to inform specific aspects of the plan. These groups include business leaders, neighborhood associations, real estate professionals and developers, education professionals, students, young professionals, and others to be identified.
Public
Input and feedback
Community participation is vital to the plan’s success. Three distinct rounds of engagement opportunities and online tools will offer a variety of different ways for the community to give input throughout the process.
City Staff
Coordination
City staff will support and help coordinate the work of all other groups and provide local knowledge and expertise.
City Officials
Monitor and adopt
City Council and the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) will monitor the process through input and periodic briefings with the expectation to formally adopt the final plan. City Council will have a central role in implementation through regulatory updates or funding allocations. Planning Commission will support implementation through the development review process.
Consultants
Process leadership, expertise
Planning NEXT will facilitate the process and share experience from other successful communities. Burgess & Niple, Ninigret Partners, and Realm Collaborative will facilitate the process and provide technical expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the comprehensive plan relate to Vision Worthington?
Vision Worthington was a community visioning effort led by a Visioning Committee comprised of Worthington residents appointed by City Council. It was a citizen-led process with broad community engagement that culminated in the adoption of eight vision statements covering seven vision areas in March 2021. The visions highlight the community’s values and describe the community’s desired future. Vision Worthington focused on overarching interests to pursue over the long term. The Comprehensive Plan should align with Vision Worthington and will focus on the physical development of the community.
What is the Community Committee and how were members selected?
The Community Committee is a diverse group of 18 community members appointed by the City to provide guidance and direction regarding the plan process and substance and to serve as advocates for the plan. The committee members were either nominated or selected through an open application process that yielded a large number of talented, passionate, and qualified individuals. The committee members are collectively representative of many interests, geographic areas, professions, and demographics, of the city’s population.
What is the timeline for completing the plan?
The plan update is a significant undertaking that is anticipated to last approximately 14-16 months. It is expected to be completed in early 2026.
Are there opportunities for individuals to get involved?
Yes! We’re making it easy to participate through public meetings, online surveys and outreach at community events like the farmers market, rec center, and local gatherings. There will be three distinct rounds of community input. Anybody who cares about the future of Worthington will be able to participate. The first opportunity is being planned for early 2025.