The 2050 Plan, both lauded and applauded, will be discussed in a series of public meetings starting July 14.

The plan is made up of members of a Leadership Collaborative working out of The Center, on three development zones — conservation, rural and compact community — called baseline ordinances.

These baseline ordinances will go before the public from July 14 through Aug. 7 in five discussions.

The Center will lead the meetings, delivering information to the public and hearing their feedback.

The 2050 Plan seeks to direct future growth to create dense, mixed-use residential and commercial communities in western Newton County to save money on future infrastructure (schools, roads and water lines) — $3.3 billion in savings over four decades to be exact — and build off the existing density from the housing boom, while also seeking to protect the rural nature and agricultural heritage of other portions of the county.