Walhalla gets “comprehensive” with a plan

With the help of a government service agency, Walhalla has updated its comprehensive plan—a guide to the city’s future.  The city Planning Commission yesterday made an effort to acquaint the public with what’s in the plan and invites city residents to drop by City Hall for a copy.  The plan can be viewed on line on the city’s website under the building and zoning link.  It contains eight elements, including population, housing, and land use.  At a count of 4,256 the Walhalla population has remained steady for several years.  The Census Bureau counted seven fewer city residents between its 2000 and 2013 counts.  One way to grow the city is through housing.  Building new houses and re-building older ones is something Mayor Danny Edwards promoted this week when he spoke to the Rotary Club.  Housing was a topic addressed by Martha Murtiashaw, chairwoman of the planning commission, during a meeting last night at the Depot.   Murtiashaw credits Jennifer Vissage of the S.C. Appalachian Council of Governments, city code and zoning officer James Ashton, and city planning commissioners updaqting the city’s plan.