Comprehensive Plan 2034

In March of 2014, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Local Planning Rules were changed and now require a 5-year cycle of updating the issues and opportunities, community work program, and land use sections of the comprehensive plan (at minimum).  Historically, updates had not been required until the 10-year mark and would be a full update of the plan document.

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has advised the department that the City is able to readopt the current plan with the addition of a new community work program since the City adopted the Character Area Study in 2017 following adoption of the original 2034 Comprehensive Plan in 2014. As part of the required update, which is due on or before Oct. 31, 2019, there has to be a public process about its adoption (i.e. at least a small meeting and a steering committee).

The department has conferred with ARC, determined that Planning Commission can serve as the Steering Committee for the project, and developed the following schedule for this required update:

Project scope: readopt existing Issues & Opportunities and Land Use sections (because the City updated its 2014 Comp Plan in January 2017 with the Character Area Study); update Community Work Program (already done administratively on an annual basis)

Oct. 9, 2018 – First Required Public Hearing (City Council)

Oct. 24, 2018 – Steering Committee Meeting (Planning Commission, Retreat)

Feb. 6, 2019 – Steering Committee Meeting (Planning Commission, Regular)

March 28, 2019 and April 25, 2019 – Community Involvement Meeting(s)

May 28, 2019 – Second Public Hearing (City Council)

June 2019 – Submittal for Review

July/August 2019 – Report of Findings and Recommendations

Sept. 4, 2019 - Planning Commission Hearing

Sept. 24, 2019 – Adoption & notification (legal) by City Council

Oct. 31, 2019 – Final Due Date