The updated comprehensive plan for Winchester and Clark County cleared its first legislative hurdle Tuesday when the Winchester Board of Commissioners approved it unanimously.

An advisory committee and a consulting firm have spent much of the year revamping the massing document, which sets objectives and goals for zoning and land use for the next 20 years. The plan must be revised every five years.

Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner noted Tuesday how much more smoothly the process went this time, compared to five years ago.

“This comprehensive plan update was vastly different than the one before,” he said. “This process has been exceptional. It’s obvious the public had the opportunity to opine… It’s the public coming up with a comprehensive plan.”

“We really tried to make sure that was a big focal point,” Planning Director Robert Jeffries said.

In a memo to the commissioners, Jeffries said this year’s review process included four advisory committee meetings, five focus group interviews, two public workshops, programs and elementary and middle schools, an online survey, Facebook sessions and other meetings with local groups.

This time, the advisory committee used Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group to facilitate the process.

The 10 priorities identified are: enhancing connectivity and accessibility in the community; preserve and protect farmland and natural area to balance growth; support economic developlent; increase marketing and enhance tourism destinations; support education; promote residential development; improve access to public space and services; promote development of infrastructure; improve access to recreational areas; and promoting growth of agriculture businesses.

The Clark County Fiscal Court must also approve the document. If neither the commissioners nor the fiscal court took any action within 90 days, the plan would still take effect.