TAVARES — Residents of northwest Lake County will help kick off the third public participation tour for the Lake County Comprehensive Plan on Friday, April 7, at the Venetian Gardens Community Building, located at 109 E. Dixie Ave, Leesburg.

Through a series of five public meetings with different communities in Lake County, between April 7 and April 19, the Lake County Local Planning Agency (LPA) will be asking for the public’s input regarding the draft of the new comprehensive plan.

The meetings will be conducted as regular LPA meetings as each speaker will be given three minutes to submit comments. Anyone wanting to make a formal presentation to the LPA must call (352) 343-9632. For more information, log on to www.lakegovernment.com/2025.

The five public meetings, each from 4 to 6:30 p.m., are as follows:

• Friday, April 7, Venetian Gardens Community Building, 109 E. Dixie Ave., Leesburg
• Tuesday, April 11, Umatilla Community Center, 1 S. Central Ave., Umatilla
• Thursday, April 13, Clermont City Hall, 685 W. Montrose St.
• Tuesday, April 18, Lake Technical Center, Kenneth A. Bragg Campus, 12900 Lane Park Cutoff Road, Tavares
• Wednesday, April 19, Eustis Community Center, 601 Northshore Drive, Eustis

The task of drafting the new comprehensive plan is a partnership between Lake County citizens, municipalities, county government and other local and regional entities. Upon completion, the new plan titled “Planning Horizon 2025” will provide flexible guidelines for policymakers, land managers and land users about how to conserve, rehabilitate or develop an area. Planning Horizon 2025 will stipulate the ultimate goals of efficient transportation, adequate employment, affordable housing, needed capital improvements and access to clean air, water and open space for the next 20 years.

Currently, the LPA is reviewing a draft of the comprehensive plan. After its review, the LPA will forward the document to the Board of County Commissioners. The Board will further guide policy development and provide resources necessary to fulfill Planning Horizon 2025 or prioritize to make the new comprehensive plan financially feasible. Barring any final changes or additions to the plan, County Commissioners could approve the final edition of the 2025 Lake County Comprehensive Plan in 2006.