Columbia County is working on figuring out how to manage its growth and has released the preliminary version of its ideas via a recent report, Vision 2035.
According to Planning Commission Chairman Jim Cox, the plan is a compilation of suggestions on how to manage growth throughout the county.
“They identify areas for development,” he says, “as well as development patterns and activity centers.”
The current review suggests that future development areas contain at least 20 percent green space, which Cox says the county already meets and even exceeds.
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Columbia County Planning Services Director Scott Sterling says the 53-page report is like a blueprint for what the county would like to see happen in terms of future growth.
“It contains suggestions for future road projects,” he says. “It also includes updates on projects already under way such as the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.”
Sterling says the plan also gives the county the opportunity to “check in” with the public and allow residents to offer suggestions.
Even though the plan is not binding in any way, it has caused legal ramifications in the past for the county. Developers who have not gotten zoning requests approved have filed suits and used the 10-year plans in an attempt to prove the county wasn’t following their official “plan.”
After public input is collected, the plan must be submitted to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and finalized by a commission vote no later than June.
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State law mandates that counties throughout the state create a comprehensive plan every 10 years and a review every five years. The current plan that has been released to the public is a five-year review.
Along with state requirements of 10- and five-year planning and review respectively, the county must also receive annual reports from the various departments on their efforts to implement the plan.
A steering committee of 17 individuals appointed from across the county is responsible for compiling the information and submitting the final review.
Those involved in formulating the plan are asking for public review and input.
Residents can view and comment on the plan by visiting the Vision 2035 page at www.columbiacountyga.gov or participate in a virtual town hall question and answer session planned for next Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.
Scott Hudson is the Managing Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
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