There's little doubt Lodi and the rest of San Joaquin Valley will see tremendous growth in the next few decades.
But deciding how fast and where that growth takes place has yet to be determined.
Lodi residents will have a chance Thursday night to take part in that planning, when officials from the San Joaquin Council of Governments bring the San Joaquin Valley blueprint project to the city.
The blueprint is still in its early stages. But when complete, the ambitious project aims to provide the eight-county region with a guide to growth, transportation and environmental challenges through 2050.
"This (project) is really for your children and your children's children," said Mike Swearingen, senior regional planner for the council.
He said Thursday's meeting will be interactive, giving Lodi residents a chance to list their top five concerns about the growing region.
San Joaquin County's population alone is expected to double by 2030 and grow by more than a million people by 2050, according to the council.
Planners will return to Lodi next fall for a second blueprint meeting.
Counties including San Joaquin, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Tulare, Madera, Stanislaus and Merced are expected to participate in the project.
Through community meetings and review by city and county officials, each county will complete an individual blueprint by 2009, Swearingen said.
The individual plans would then be added together to form one master plan for the Valley.
The entire project is funded by a $3.9 million state grant.
Regional planners hope the master plan will help surrounding counties share their growth plans and resources, and ultimately shape a better future for the Valley.
Contact reporter Chris Nichols at chrisn@lodinews.com.
Where and when
The San Joaquin Valley Blueprint meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi. Doors open and registration begins at 6 p.m.
For more information, contact the San Joaquin Council of Governments at 468-3913 or visit http://www.sjcog.org.