a thriving middle georgia · lynmore estates, and areas around houston avenue, napier avenue, and...
TRANSCRIPT
Plan for…
A THRIVING MIDDLE GEORGIA
Presentation of Regional Assessment & Stakeholder Involvement Program
September 3, 2015
Why Regional Planning?
Challenges cross traditional city and county boundaries
Solutions require partnerships
Recognize collective assets and weaknesses
Take action to move the community in the right direction
What is the Regional Plan?
Twenty-year planning document
Updated every five years
Three main parts
Stakeholder Involvement Program
Community Assessment
Issues and Opportunities
Quality Community Objectives
Projected Development Patterns
Analysis of Data
Community Agenda
Stakeholder Involvement Program
Schedule of Meetings
This meeting is the first of five large group meetings that will be held.
October – Meeting to discuss regional vision and future development map.
November – Meeting to discuss finalized list of issues and opportunities.
January – Meeting to discuss implementation activities.
February – Meeting to review complete Regional Agenda.
MGRC will also hold a meeting in each county to discuss specific regional needs and issues on the local level.
MGRC will also reach out to interested parties on specific issues like education or economic development.
Other Ways to Stay Connected
MGRC Council members will be briefed at each council meeting.
A general interest questionnaire will be developed for individuals throughout the region.
Updates will be posted to MGRC Facebook and Twitter.
Look for the hashtag #ThrivingMiddleGeorgia
Contact Daniel or Greg at MGRC for more information.
Regional Issues and Opportunities
Issues and Opportunities
Economic Development Region generally lacks economic
diversification, particularly a dependence on Robins AFB.
Many rural and suburban counties suffer from a lack of industrial development and infrastructure.
Opportunity to focus on growth of additional industry sectors like warehousing and distribution.
Opportunity to leverage need-based state funding sources.
Workforce Development Many companies lack enough
skilled workers to fill positions.
K-12 schools struggle with low graduation rates.
Opportunity to support college and career academies at high schools.
Opportunity to continue work with technical colleges and universities to improve job skills training.
Issues and Opportunities
Natural & Cultural Resources Growth has occurred in a rapidly
sprawling manner in many parts of the region, losing open space.
Region has many natural and cultural resources to preserve.
Opportunity for infill development that respects historic buildings.
Opportunity to invest in natural and cultural resources, including tourism opportunities.
Transportation Rapid growth has placed a strain
on the transportation system.
Many areas lack adequate bicycle or pedestrian facilities.
Opportunity to continue work on alternative fuels or transportation options in region.
Opportunity to promote complete streets policies in conjunction with bicycle and pedestrian plans.
Issues and Opportunities
Community Facilities Growth and development create
service delivery challenges.
Financial challenges arise in maintaining the infrastructure.
Opportunity to leverage federal and state grant or loan funding.
Opportunity to pursue public-private partnerships for delivery of some services.
Housing Many individuals have a high
housing cost burden and few housing options.
A significant number of homes are substandard or blighted.
Opportunity to promote the development of mixed-income housing developments with affordable units.
Opportunity to prioritize code enforcement
Issues and Opportunities
Aging Services The senior population is growing
rapidly and placing more demand on services.
The senior community is changing more rapidly than programming aimed toward them.
Opportunity to expand current resources provided for seniors.
Opportunity to initiate innovative methods to provide programming, and keep seniors active.
Regional Cooperation Many interactions between local
governments place them in competition with each other.
Regional transportation and land development lack conformance.
Opportunity to focus on fostering economic growth at the regional level.
Opportunity to expand planning coordination for resources and services.
Thoughts, Questions, or Comments?
Overview of Quality Community Objectives
Statewide Planning Goals
Economic Development
Natural and Cultural Resources
Community Facilities and Services
Housing
Land Use and Transportation
Intergovernmental Coordination
Quality Community Objectives
Regional Identity
Promote and preserve regional identity, which includes common linkages like economic identity and architectural character.
Growth Preparedness
Communities must put in place prerequisites for growth, including infrastructure and housing.
Appropriate Businesses
Development must be strategically targeted for competitive industries and those with the highest benefit to the community.
Educational Opportunities
Training opportunities must be readily available to the community.
Employment Options
A range of job types should be provided in each community to meet the needs of the workforce.
Quality Community Objectives
Heritage Preservation
Traditional character of a community should be maintained through preserving and revitalizing historic areas.
Open Space Preservation
New development should minimize the amount of land that is consumed.
Environmental Protection
Air quality and environmentally sensitive areas should be protected.
Regional Cooperation
Communication, cooperation, and collaboration should be promoted as it pertains to service delivery and the sharing of natural resources.
Transportation Alternatives
Where feasible, there should be multiple transportation options within a community.
Quality Community Objectives
Regional Solutions
Jurisdictions should work together to solve complex problems.
Housing Opportunities
Housing must meet the current needs of the community and projected growth.
Traditional Neighborhoods
Communities should encourage more human-scale development, mixed-use development, and walkable neighborhoods.
Infill Development
Communities should maximize existing infrastructure and facilities and work to redevelop traditional urban cores.
Sense of Place
Downtown areas should be maintained as a focal point
Projected Future Development Patterns
Current Development Patterns
Developed Areas Include areas with well-established
urban services and/or significant long-standing development.
Most incorporated municipalities
Significant parts of Macon-Bibb County and Houston County
Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee area
Developing Areas Include areas with significant
growth in recent years and expect to see further growth and expansion of public services.
I-75 corridors (Monroe & Peach)
US 129 corridor in Jones County
Central Houston County
Industrial Parks
Current Development Patterns
Rural Areas Include areas that have sparse
development and few government services and are not expected to develop within 20 years.
Significant parts of Crawford, Pulaski, Twiggs, and Wilkinson counties.
Southern Houston County
Encroachment area around Robins Air Force Base
Conservation Areas Include areas with sensitive and
regionally important environmental resources and are protected from future development.
Ocmulgee National Monument
Oconee National Forest
Flint, Ocmulgee, and Oconee river corridor areas.
Areas Requiring Special Attention –Natural Resources Impacts
The Lake Area (Baldwin and Putnam counties) is home to significant development directly on the waterfront. Attention will need to be paid to water and soil quality in the area.
Kaolin mines are a significant part of the economy as well, particularly in Wilkinson County, however these can also have environmental impacts.
Areas Requiring Special Attention –Opportunities for Infill Development
Downtown Macon-Bibb County presents a prime opportunity for infill development, particularly south of Poplar Street.
Other parts of the region have this opportunity too, although in many cases it may just be an opportunity for greater density rather than “infill” development.
Also need to pay attention to historic areas in this process to mitigate potential impacts on cultural resources.
Areas Requiring Special Attention –Locations of Rapid Growth
Central Houston County, particularly between GA-96, Perry, and Kathleen can be expected to continue its trend of rapid growth over recent years.
The nearby I-75 corridor around Byron and Peach County can also be expected to see additional growth.
The area around Shoppes at River Crossing, both on the Macon-Bibb and Monroe County sides can be expected to continue growing.
Finally, the North Gray Bypass and US-129 corridor between Gray and Macon can also be expected to see upcoming rapid growth.
Areas Requiring Special Attention –Redevelopment Needs
Former Central State and Plant Branch sites are in need of redevelopment.
Eisenhower corridor in Macon-Bibb is in need of redevelopment due to blighted and vacant buildings.
Substandard housing in need of redevelopment in many smaller communities, especially Fort Valley and Eatonton.
Watson Blvd, Russell Pkwy, and GA 96 corridors in Warner Robins/Houston County in need of redevelopment for aesthetics and for higher density development within city center.
Areas Requiring Special Attention –Locations of Significant Disinvestment
Baldwin County
Much of downtown Milledgeville neighborhoods and Hardwick area.
Macon-Bibb County & Jones County
Several Macon-Bibb County neighborhoods including: East Macon, Pleasant Hill, Lynmore Estates, and areas around Houston Avenue, Napier Avenue, and Rocky Creek Road.
Jones County neighborhoods that were formerly in the City of Macon or nearby.
Rural Poverty
Common throughout the region, particularly in Irwinton, Haddock, and Twiggs County, among other areas.
Thoughts, Questions, or Comments?
Daniel CummingsSenior Government Services [email protected](478) 751-6160
MGRC Staff Contacts:
Greg BoikeSenior Government Services [email protected](478) 751-6160