2007 Annual Award Winners

The Georgia Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) presented the 2007 Awards during their Fall Conference in Savannah, GA on September 21, 2007.  The GPA Awards Program is an opportunity to recognize the outstanding planning work undertaken around the state. This year, we received 34 nominations in 11 categories from 21 different communities. We were pleased to honor 10 communities with an award for their excellent work in planning.

An awards committee reviewed each application based on the following criteria:

  • Innovation of concept
  • Transferability to other areas or projects
  • Quality of thought, analysis and character
  • Effectiveness of, or promise for, Implementation
  • Comprehensiveness of principles observed

The awards were presented to the following communities:

Innovative and Effective Planning Process (Population Under 15,000)
City of Suwanee for the Mixed-Use Development Assessment

  • Provided an analysis of the effectiveness of implementing the Comprehensive Plan 2020 goals for mixed use development.
  • Provided a critical analysis of the nine mixed use developments approved since 2000.
  • Evaluated the communities based upon their sense of community, sense of place, consistency with the design guidelines, and meeting the goals and strategies of the comprehensive plan.
  • Assessment found excellent progress toward goals and made suggestions of changes to procedures.

Innovative and Effective Planning Process (Population Over 15,000)
Chatham County - Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission for the Transportation Amenities Plan and Context Sensitive Design Manual

  • Established policies and tools to protect scenic corridors and ensure future road projects are in concert with community values.
  • Project began as a response to public outcry over excessive tree canopy loss on road construction projects.
  • Planning team brought in experts from around the country to educate and participate in the public meeting process.
  • Plan has already resulted in positive changes to local road projects and tree restoration.

Outstanding Planning Document (Population Over 15,000)
Cherokee County for the Bells Ferry LCI Community Design Guidelines

  • Document built upon the 2005 LCI plan completed for the corridor.
  • Created a regulating plan of consistent principles for good urban design and attractive development to encourage investment.
  • Guidelines were developed upon the Cherokee County Traditional Neighborhood Development ordinance.
  • Evaluated the existing conditions, created the regulating plan, and created the general standards for development.
  • Guidelines include standards for streetscapes, architecture, the environment, signage, and parking.

Outstanding Planning Document (Population Over 15,000)
Henry County for the Joint Henry County/Cities Comprehensive Transportation Plan

  • Created a coordinated short, medium and long range future for transportation needs in Henry County.
  • Plan includes Henry County, and the Cities of McDonough, Locust Grove, and Hampton.
  • Plan consolidates the transportation needs and policies for the county and cities.
  • Plan development included a substantial public outreach campaign.
  • Plan coordinates future land use and transportation goals in a fast growing region.

Outstanding Plan Implementation (Population Over 15,000)
City of Savannah for the West Savannah Revitalization Plan

  • Plan goals include an opportunity-rich neighborhood that serves the needs of the current and new residents.
  • Plan grew out of a wide range of collaborative planning by neighborhood residents, business leaders, politicians, and local agencies.
  • Plan has begun a successful implementation by utilizing a short term work program detailing project goals through 2009.

Outstanding Educational Tool (Population Under 15,000)
City of Calhoun for the Historic District Design Guidelines

  • Guidelines serve as a handbook to delineate appropriate and inappropriate development within the historic district.
  • Guidelines include extensive architectural definitions, photographs and sketches of appropriate design.
  • Explains the value of local preservation and the importance of plan review.
  • Includes a section to educate the community on available financial and technical assistance.

Outstanding Educational Tool (Population Over 15,000)
Athens-Clarke County for the Neighborhood Notification Initiative

  • Local tool emails anyone interested in a project within a registered neighborhood area.
  • Projects include zoning actions, plan review of five or more lots, variances, special uses, and certificates of appropriateness.
  • Organized neighborhood groups register their special interest area.
  • Neighborhood areas are mapped and approved by the Mayor and Commission.
  • Anyone may sign up for an area’s email list, regardless of residency.
  • Email list will receive updates on new projects submitted for consideration.

Creative Use of the Planning Process (Population Under 15,000)
City of Hapeville for the Ford 2020 Redevelopment Concept Plan

  • Animated video presentation of a 3-D model.
  • The property of the closed Ford plant was rezoned for mixed use.
  • Staff created the movie to demonstrate goals for the site.
  • The 3-D modeling allowed for careful consideration of density and FAA height limits.
  • Perspectives from fly-through, drive-through, and walk-through.

Creative Use of the Planning Process (Population Over 15,000)
City of Atlanta for the Affordable Workforce Housing Implementation Plan

  • Document provides the City with comprehensive view of the need and a tool to make planning and budgeting decisions.
  • Key priorities of the plan include clearly defining a need, development of a target policy, creation of an inclusionary housing ordinance, and establishing a housing opportunity fund and a land assemblage financing program.
  • Plan is comprehensive in scope and required the input of multiple disciplines and specialties.

Outstanding Student Project
City Reassembly: When the Auto Plant Closes

  • Plan focused on redevelopment opportunities for the GM plant in Doraville.
  • Class members include Susan Cohn, Marc Dixon, Miguel Granier, Kenwin Hayes, Rick Liu, David Pierce and Samantha Singer.
  • Plan calls for flexible and pedestrian-friendly subdivision of blocks and streets for the 150+ acre site with parks, a town center, and new housing.
  • Plan has been presented to the City Council, the DeKalb-Doraville Blue Ribbon Commission, and has been featured on WSB-TV and the Atlanta Journal Constitution.