Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 110-12-6-.03
This chapter provides guidance for completing each element of the regional plan. Each Regional Commission is encouraged to add additional elements to their regional plan to address specific regional needs as needed.
* Stakeholder involvement summary;
* Regional goal summary;
* Highlight regional commission priority needs and opportunities; and
* Highlight key strategies and specific actions to be pursued.
* Developed. Areas that exhibit urban type development patterns (i.e., medium to high density residential, commercial development and industrial development, etc.) and where urban services (i.e., public services of water, sewer, etc.) are already being provided at the time of plan preparation.
* Developing. Areas that are expected to become urbanized and will require provision of new urban services (i.e., public services of water, sewer, etc.) during the planning period.
* Rural. Areas not expected to become urbanized or require provision of urban services (i.e., public services of water and sewer, etc.) during the planning period. These areas are characterized by sparsely developed nonurban areas where the land is primarily used for farming, forestry, very low density residential or open space uses.
* Conservation. Areas to be preserved in order to protect important regional resources or environmentally sensitive areas of the region. At a minimum, the green infrastructure network on the Regionally Important Resources Map found in the Regional Commission's adopted Regional Resource Plan for the region must be shown. Additionally, critical environmentally-sensitive areas (e.g., groundwater recharge areas, priority forest, prime farmland, wetlands, etc.) must be included as appropriate for each region.
* Threatened Regionally Important Resources. Areas identified on the Regionally Important Resources map where significant natural or cultural resources are likely to be impacted by development. At a minimum, the assessment of these areas should be informed by the following:
* Identifying the areas identified on the Regionally Important Resource Map (Regionally Important Resources, DCA Rules Chapter 110-12-4) that overlap the "Developed" or "Developing" Areas, and
* Identifying the portions of the Conservation and Development Map where the "Conservation" Areas overlap the "Developed" or "Developing" Areas.
* Rapid Development. Areas where rapid development or change of land uses are likely to occur, especially where the pace of development has and/or may outpace the availability of community facilities and services, including transportation;
* Redevelopment. Areas in need of or currently experiencing redevelopment. These areas may include:
* The need for significant improvements to aesthetics or attractiveness (e.g., strip commercial corridors, aging developments, etc.);
* The potential for infill development (e.g., scattered vacant sites, large abandoned structures, sites that may be environmentally contaminated, etc.);
* Levels of poverty and/or unemployment that is substantially higher than the region as a whole, indicating significant disinvestment (e.g., areas identified as Opportunity Zones, Enterprise Zones, Urban Redevelopment Areas, Revitalization Area Strategies, or similar planning documents); or
* Other metrics identified by the Regional Commission.
* Written description, pictures, and/or illustrations that make it clear what types, forms, styles, and patterns of development are to be encouraged in the area. Recommended development patterns listed in the Supplemental Planning Recommendations may be referred to for suggestions.
* Listing of specific types of land uses appropriate for the unique characteristics of the area.
* Identification of implementation measures, which may be undertaken by the Regional Commission and/or local government, to achieve the desired development patterns for the area, including more detailed sub-area planning, new or revised local development regulations, incentives, public investments, and infrastructure improvements. Recommended plan implementation measures listed in the Supplemental Planning Recommendations may be referred to for suggestions.
When evaluating this data and information, focus on:
* Whether it verifies potential needs or opportunities identified above;
* Whether it uncovers new needs or opportunities not previously identified;
* Whether it indicates significant regional trends that need to be brought to the attention of decision-makers;
* Minimum Standard. Items included in the Minimum Standard should be selected as essential activities for local governments to undertake for consistency with the regional plan. The intent is to ensure a consistent and predictable basic level of local requirements across the region. The Regional Commission and the Department will provide technical and training assistance to local governments to help them achieve this Minimum Standard. Regional Commissions may utilize financial assistance in accordance with their contract with the Department for projects that help a local government attain this threshold. Once a local government achieves this threshold, Regional Commissions may utilize financial assistance in accordance with their contract with the Department for local comprehensive plan implementation projects.
* Excellence Standard. Items included in the Excellence Standard should be selected as desirable activities for local governments to undertake for consistency with the regional plan. The intent is to lay out a menu of recommended best practices for local governments to select for implementation.
* Priority. List of regional commission priority needs and opportunities.
* Strategies. Specific, measureable statements that support achievement of the priority.
* Actions. Specific actions the Regional Commission will pursue in order to meet one or more strategies.
* Timeframe for initiating and completing the action.
* Partners. List of groups needed to help implement the activity.
* Costs. Estimated cost (if any) of implementing the action.
* Steering Committee. The Regional Commission must form a steering committee to oversee and participate in development of the plan. At a minimum, the steering committee must include the Regional Commission council members. [The Regional Commission may also form a technical advisory committee. This is a working committee of regional planners and other state, local and federal agency personnel that will serve as the primary "users/interpreters" of the plan and they can support the steering committee with important information and technical considerations to be factored into the planning process.]
* Required Techniques. The Regional Commission is encouraged to select as many techniques as possible to allow ample opportunity for involvement from a broad range of stakeholders, including the steering committee. At a minimum, the following techniques are required:
* First public hearing as required in section 110-12-6-.06.
* Hold at least three public listening sessions (e.g., workshops, charrettes, virtual meetings) in at least three different counties in the region and including adequate notification (e.g., one to two weeks) and outreach (e.g., newspaper ads, email, website, postal mail, etc.).
* Ensure the plan process, schedule, and draft documents are easily accessible on the commission's website throughout the plan process.
* Administer a survey tool to solicit comments, opinions, and regional goals.
* Second public hearing as required in section 110-12-6-.06.
Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 110-12-6-.03
O.C.G.A. § 50-8-1, et seq.