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Public Visioning Success Leads to Next Steps in
Osceola’s Comprehensive Plan
Published: September 29, 2026
at 07:45 a.m.
By: Press Release
from Lewis County Office of Planning and Community Development
Public Visioning Success Leads to Next Steps in
Osceola’s Comprehensive Plan
 OSCEOLA, NY— The Town of
Osceola held a successful Public Visioning Session on September 8, 2026, to
gather input from residents, property owners, and community partners as
part of the Town’s ongoing Comprehensive Plan update. Guided by the theme “Keep
it wild. Grow it smart. Keep it Osceola,” the plan aims to create a
thoughtful, community-driven vision that preserves Osceola’s identity while
preparing for future development pressures resulting from the Micron and
Chobani expansions in neighboring counties.
Approximately 30
individuals attended the Visioning Session. The event offered the Town
Board an opportunity to speak directly with residents about how
governmental decisions are made and to encourage the public to participate
in the monthly Town Board meetings held on the second Tuesday of each
month.
The group agreed
on the following Vision Statement:
Community Vision
Statement
A Quiet, Rural,
Year-Round Community
Full-time
residents overwhelmingly described Osceola as a place they value for its
quiet atmosphere, natural setting, small-town culture, and independence.
Many wrote that they want the Town to “stay the same,” “keep Osceola
quiet,” “keep it rural,” or “leave it alone—it's good the way it is.”
Residents
consistently emphasized:
• Peace and quiet
• Forested landscape and scenic views
• Low-density living
• Protection from commercial and
industrial intrusion
• Respect for long-standing homesteads
and camp traditions
This vision
maintains Osceola’s identity as a nature-centered rural community where
residents can thrive without pressure for urban or suburban transformation.
 While survey
results reflected strong shared sentiment, additional questions remain
about the best paths forward to achieve this
vision. To gather more detailed public feedback, the Town has launched a
follow-up online community survey, available now through October 31, 2026.
Participants can access the survey at: https://arcg.is/1yafKC3. The survey
takes only a few minutes and invites input on daily services, land
subdivision, natural area protections, energy siting, community
preferences, Town Board priorities, and Osceola’s long-term identity and
vision.
Residents,
landowners, business owners, and other stakeholders are also welcome to
discuss ideas directly with planners or Town representatives if they
prefer. The Town encourages broad participation to ensure the Comprehensive
Plan reflects the community’s shared goals and values. To connect directly,
contact Megan Krokowski at megankrokowski@lewiscounty.ny.gov or 315-376-
5423.
If you’d like to
learn more about the Comprehensive Plan, see survey results, or explore
other Town updates, you can visit the Town website at: https://townofosceolany.gov.
For questions
regarding the survey, planning process, public session, or any land use
topic, residents may contact Megan Krokowski at the Lewis County Planning
and Community Development Department or any elected official of the Town of
Osceola.
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