Kendig Keast officials say the county's current land-use laws have not been effective in managing urban and suburban growth or protecting agricultural areas and they have written about three chapters of new proposed regulations.
On Tuesday, Kendig Keast officials held the first of two public hearings and workshop sessions to present what they have developed.
Tuesday's night's session, which attracted about 15 people, was held in the lower level of the Charles Town Library and the second session will be held there today at 7 p.m.
Although there is emphasis on how open space will be created in the county, some are concerned about how housing will be offered, especially affordable housing.
There has been concern that affordable housing is becoming more scarce as home prices rise.
Commission member Dale Manuel said he wants to make sure there are provisions in the new land-use laws that give people like young school teachers earning $30,000 a year a place to live.
Kendig said the proposed new regulations allow affordable housing like apartments in all residential areas and special exceptions do not have to be made to build them.
Some have criticized the Kendig Keast proposals, including that they will drive up the cost of school construction because schools will not be allowed to be built in rural areas.
Some believe that the restriction means schools will have to compete with others for available building land in the county, which will drive up school construction costs.
Manuel said he thinks parts of the Kendig Keast proposals will be tweaked as the county goes through the review process.
