The document is lengthy because we have included a wide array of information, maps and analyses so that they might be weighed together. There is a two-page executive summary, plus you may go directly to any chapter of interest. Please note that the last page or two of each chapter is a summary of that chapter. The first 9 chapters are in many ways the "background" process and data of the plan, while chapters 10, 11 and 12 are the heart of it. You may see any portion of the plan by clicking on it below.

For any questions or concerns, please call Lydeana at 745-9300 or email at lmartin@floydcova.org.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTER 1. WHAT IS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN?...1

CHAPTER 2. WHAT DOES OUR COMMUNITY WANT TO BE?...7

CHAPTER 3. WHAT ARE OUR NATURAL RESOURCES?...13

General Physiographic Features...13

Geology and Minerals...15

Soils...16

Climate...17

General Hydrologic Features...18

Forests...23

Wetlands and Critical Habitats...24

Land Suitability...26

CHAPTER 4. WHAT IS OUR POPULATION?...28

CHAPTER 5. HOW DO PEOPLE MAKE A LIVING?...38

Employment...38

New Jobs...48

Income...49

Agriculture...53

Tourism...61

Retail Sales...63

Business Survey...66

CHAPTER 6. WHAT ARE OUR HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES?...72

Brief History of Floyd County...72

Historic Resources...73

Cultural Resources...76

CHAPTER 7. WHAT ARE OUR TRANSPORTATION MODES?...80

Existing Road Infrastructure and Travel...80

Future Road Infrastructure...86

2035 Rural Long Range Transportation Plan...89

Transportation Policies...90

Road Maintenance...97

Alternative Transportation...97

CHAPTER 8. WHAT COMMUNITY FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE IN FLOYD COUNTY?...100

Community Facilities Generally...100

Courthouse and Constitutional Officers...101

Administration...101

Public Safety...101

Medical Facilities...106

Floyd County School System...107

Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library...112

Social Services...112

Water Supply...113

Sewerage System...121

Storm Sewers...126

Telecommunication Infrastructure...126

Recreation...127

Solid Waste Collection and Disposal...129

Facilities for New or Expanding Industries...132

Energy...132

Community Activities, Volunteerism and Community Center...136

Future Community Facilities...136

CHAPTER 9. WHAT HOUSING IS AVAILABLE?...144

Housing Summary from the American Community Survey, 2005-2009...144

New Housing: 2000 to 2010...147

Housing Needs...149

New River Valley HOME Consortium...150

CHAPTER 10. HOW IS PROPERTY USED IN FLOYD COUNTY?...152

Historical Background...152

Existing Property Use...152

Subdivision Ordinance...159

Trends Affecting Property Use...161

Parcel Ownership...161

Available Building Lots...163

Future Property Use...166

Conclusions...174

CHAPTER 11. WHAT ARE OUT GOALS ?...178

CHAPTER 12. HOW WILL WE ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS?...190

GLOSSARY OF TERMS...196

SOURCES...200

APPENDICES

A. Endangered, Threatened and Species of Concern in Floyd Area

B. Acreage and Proportionate Extent of Soils in Floyd County

C. Transportation Needs in Floyd County: Matrix by VDOT

D. Tools for Comprehensive Plan Implementation in Virginia

E. Public Roads in Floyd County