Residents who want input on how the city grows for the next 20 years will have the chance this week.

Community “visioning” meetings are being held Tuesday and Wednesday as the city prepares to update its comprehensive plan, Planning and Community Development Director Scott Mills said.

“Comprehensive plans really represent the shared vision of how the city should grow, so public input into the vision is very important and critical, as you’re molding together and preparing a comprehensive plan,” Mills said.

The comprehensive plan is updated every five years and looks at the city’s growth for the next 20 years, including guidance on such things as designated growth areas, schools and public utilities.

“We’re hoping to be able to validate whether the principles and themes in the plan are still valid and establish new ones,” Mills said. “If people have an interest in how the city grows and develops and the character the city takes on, it would be nice to have their participation. I hope we get a good turnout.”

The workshops will be held Tuesday at Lakeland High School, 214 Kenyon Road, and Wednesday at Nansemond River High School, 3301 Nansemond Parkway. Both events feature an open house at 6:30 p.m., followed by the workshop at 7 p.m.