GLEN SPEY NY — The Town of Lumberland has seen many changes since its last comprehensive plan was approved in 2008, and in August the town board will outline its work on an update.

The plan is not law, but a guide for proposals on managing issues including land use and community development.

Planners feel an update is needed because of population growth and demographic changes, which according to census figures have altered markedly since the last update.

Lumberland’s population has more than doubled since 1980 and grown 27.2% since 2000; compared to 19% growth in Sullivan County since 1980 and 4.8% growth since 2000.

Data also shows Lumberland has become a younger community than it was in 2000, with almost 18% of the population aged 20 to 24 years and 211 new housing units added.

The median household income recorded in the 2000 Census was $42,625 and the Census’s 2014 American Community Survey shows an increase to $61,250, 28% higher than the median household income for the county.

Lumberland has seven zoning districts: Black Forest, Glen Spey, Hillside, Mohican Lake, Mongaup River Valley, River Hamlet and Rural Residential; plus five overlay districts: flood plain, Mohican Lake Access, historic, river and riparian. The plan considers their location, surroundings, size, surface cover and subsurface, and makes non-binding recommendations for each of them.

Supervisor Jenny Mellan has said that none of this involves big changes.

The plan also includes gathered comments about current uses and issues in the town, and the board is seeking any additional comments residents want considered.

A hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on August 10, and the entire text of the draft plan is available on the town’s website.

Prior to that hearing, at 7 p.m., the board will hold a public hearing on a so-called “zombie law,” proposed Local Law #4 of 2016, to “remedy problems caused by abandoned and vacant buildings, foreclosed properties and properties in foreclosure including a decline in property values and tax base, and negative impacts on the quality of life for neighboring residents and businesses. This Article establishes regulations for the registration, inspection, maintenance, and securing of such buildings and properties.”

The complete text of that draft is also available on the town website.