Components of the Comprehensive Plan
Needs and Opportunities |
In this phase we identify where communities are today; what is the current state of the existing projects, finances, infrastructure, etc.; what do the current trends, economic conditions, and demographics tell us about the community and where it might be headed. A locally agreed upon list of Needs and Opportunities the community intends to address will be developed. This list is typically developed through a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis.
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Goals and Policies |
The purpose of the Community Goals Element is to lay out a road map for the community’s future, developed through a very public process of involving community leaders and stakeholders in making key decisions about the future of the community. Community Goals are the most important part of the plan, for they identify the community’s direction for the future, and are intended to generate local pride and enthusiasm about the future of the community, thereby leading citizens and leadership to act to ensure that the plan is implemented.
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Land Use Element and Future Development Map
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The Land Use Element provides general direction and guidance for the physical development of the County and its cities. Objectives and policies provide guidance for future decisions regarding development applications, zoning regulations, the subdivision and development of land, development fees to pay for necessary public facilities, and improvements to infrastructure. The Future Land Use Map depicts the general distribution, location, and density of land uses based upon the policies of the Comprehensive Plan and existing land uses. The Map does not portray the specific use of each parcel of land. Rather, it shows the planned locations of generalized activities and residential densities. The Zoning Ordinance determines specific regulations governing development of property.
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Economic Development
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Economic Development Identifies needs and opportunities related to economic development and vitality of the community, and Community Work Program activities for addressing these needs and opportunities, considering such factors as diversity of the economic base, quality of the local labor force, effectiveness of local economic development agencies, programs and tools. The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region may be substituted for this element.
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Community Work Program
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One important aspect of the Plan will be the Community Work Program, which will outline the specific activities the community plans to undertake during the next five years to address the priority Needs and Opportunities or to achieve Community Goals. This includes any activities, initiatives, programs, ordinances, administrative systems to be put in place to implement the plan.
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Draft
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During this phase the SWGRC, with the participation of the steering committee will prepare the elements of the Comprehensive plan for review comment and submission to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
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State of Georgia Review and Final Adoption |
After completing the draft and providing opportunity for public review and comment, the Draft Comprehensive Plan will be submitted to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for review. Once the DCA has approved the Draft Comprehensive Plan, it can be formally adopted by each government as the Final Comprehensive Plan.
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