Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Warren County Zoning Officer Michael Lyon speaks to attendees during a public planning meeting on Thursday night at the Youngsville Borough building. The meeting was the fifth and last held as part of the county’s comprehensive plan process.

A round of public meetings part of a county planning process are in the books.

A session held last Thursday at the Youngsville Borough building marked the last in a series of meetings aimed at soliciting public feedback for the county’s comprehensive plan. The open house-style session saw about half a dozen people participate.

A series of strengths, issues and assets were presented as the basis for the feedback.

The strengths include the rural character of the county, recreation, scenic views and schools.

Issues identified are what you would expect — declining population, lack of broadband internet, infrastructure, community cooperation, loss of industry and lack of housing availability.

Zoning Officer Michael Lyon said those issues are present in all of northwest Pennsylvania if not the entire state.

Assets identified include waterways, recreation, low housing cost, community safety, a small-town atmosphere and the historical heritage of the county.

Issues raised Thursday include substance abuse challenges as well as concerns about the willingness of financial institutions to allow property owners to invest here.

That initial list of assets and issues, Lyon said, was derived from survey data. That survey closed Monday.

He said that comments offered Thursday would be worked into the draft plan.

County Planner Dan Glotz said the goal would be to have a draft of the plan by the end of the year.

Brandi Rosselli, the consultant with Mackin Engineering on the project, said there would be a public hearing process next year before the commissioners adopt the plan.