LEBANON — A second day-long meeting of government and business leaders seeking a vision for Warren County's future came down to one hard truth Thursday: no planning effort will succeed without political buy-in from all corners.

        The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments' regional planning manager, Bill Miller, said it. So did County Planning Director Bob Craig and developer Peter Mallow.

        “You can have the most comprehensive plan, but if there's no political will to carry it forward and implement it, it's not worth very much,” Mr. Miller told a room of about 70 people.

        They gathered at the Warren County Administration Building for the second time in two months in hopes of kick-starting a countywide planning effort.

        Much of Thursday's meeting focused on how to do that — options include a strategic plan or a comprehensive plan — but ultimately, the biggest question is whether the county's cities, villages and townships can work together.

        A comprehensive plan is a traditional, long-range tool in which officials predict future land use patterns and transportation and infrastructure needs.

        A strategic plan is a shorter-term effort with more community, business and political input.

        Many at the meeting, however, said the county might be best served by combining the two strategies.

        “I think you have to have a comprehensive plan,” Commissioner Pat South said. “That's the big picture.” Within that, though, strategic planning could be used to set and reach goals, she said.

        The third and possibly final session of the planning meeting, which has been organized by the county planning department and Mrs. South, will be April 9.

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