FIRST EDITION!
We are pleased to announce the first edition of the new GPA eNewsletter, part of our increased efforts to communicate with our membership. Each month, expect timely summaries of current issues, projects and events happening within our state. If you have information to share with the rest of the membership, please send it to our Editor, Bill Ross. As always, we welcome feedback on ways to continue to improve our communications! Please also check out our Sponsors who are making all of this possible!

GPA 2006 Spring Conference Wrap-Up

The GPA 2006 Spring Conference was held on March 23rd and 24th at the Classic Center in Athens. This event drew 135 registered attendees for the conference. The conference location highlighted the Athens-Clarke County community and the great success they have had with downtown redevelopment, historic preservation, innovative housing and other planning initiatives. The conference offered 15 breakout sessions on a variety of topics, including transportation planning, diversity, zoning, and comprehensive planning. In addition, there were two mobile workshops: a bus tour of innovative multifamily developments, and a bus tour of infill development in historic districts. Two post-conference tours were offered as well – a walking tour of downtown Athens and a bike ride along the Oconee River Greenway.

Special events included an opening plenary session, an evening reception, and plenary lunch with keynote address. The opening plenary session included a panel of experts (state & local planners, public works planner, and a land use attorney) discussing the need and strategies to gain consistency throughout your local comprehensive plan and development regulations. The reception was held on Thursday evening at the Foundry Park Inn and Spa, a boutique hotel that takes pride in preserving on-site historical buildings that date back to the 1800's. The plenary lunch was held on Friday and was highlighted by a keynote address from Dr. Arthur C. Nelson, FAICP. “Chris” Nelson is professor and director of the urban affairs and planning program at Virginia Tech’s Alexandria Center in Old Town Alexandria, which he founded in 2002. Dr. Nelson provided a presentation on “Atlanta Metro 2040 Future Shock”, discussing growth and development trends with specific emphasis on the changing need of our housing stock.

The success of this conference was due to the efforts of many people. Special appreciation goes out to our sponsors – Brick SouthEast, Clark Patterson Associates, Grice & Associates, Jordan Jones & Goulding, Vinyl Siding Institute, Bike Athens, and URS – who provided financial support to help keep the conference economical for all attendees. Thanks also to the local host community headed by the Athens-Clarke County Planning Department, conference session organizers, GPA programs committee, and numerous speakers that volunteered their time. Finally, thanks to all the conference attendees for supporting your Georgia Planning Association and advancing the interest of the planning profession by participating in the conference.

Rob LeBeau, GPA Vice President for Programs

Georgia Statewide Water Plan (www.gadnr.org)

Please see above website link for information on development of the Georgia Statewide Water Plan. The Legislature approved a bill in 2004 which requires development of the plan. As the website states: “The 2004 Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning Act mandates the development of a state-wide water plan that supports a far-reaching vision for water resource management: "Georgia manages water resources in a sustainable manner to support the state’s economy, to protect public health and natural systems, and to enhance the quality of life for all citizens" (O.C.G.A. 12-5-522(a)).”
Read full article on the GPA website....

Transportation Design for Communities Course

Date: May 11-12, 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Website and registration: www.cqgrd.gatech.edu

Balancing transportation engineering and performance with other community priorities, such as neighborhood preservation, economic vitality, and pedestrian accessibility, can be a challenge. To help professionals respond to this challenge, Georgia Tech’s Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development is hosting a two-day seminar to show you how to use transportation and urban design principles to create livable places. Course topics include: Understanding the Community, Developing a Community Vision, Livable Street Design Principles, Community Design Principles, Engaging the Community and Building Project Stewardship, and Next Steps in Community Design. The course is co-sponsored by Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin Lopez Rinehart. Transportation Design for Communities has been approved for continuing education and AIA HSW learning units. For more information please email Karen Leone de Nie.

Visit the GPA Calendar of Events website page for a full listing.

Planning & Zoning Board Member Training to be held in District 1

Date: May 16, 2006
Location: Rome,, GA

The Coosa Valley and North Georgia Regional Development Centers and District 1 of the Georgia Planning Association are jointly sponsoring a training workshop for local planning commissioners, historic preservation commissioners, zoning board of appeals members and other local government agencies that are involved in land use decisions. The workshop will be held on May 16, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Forum Civic Center in Rome, Georgia.

The workshop will focus on basic subjects such as planning and zoning terms, what is planning, zoning legislative and administrative actions, conflicts of interest, alternatives to zoning, open meeting requirements, and similar topics. The principal instructor will be Vernon Ryle III, who is the current Executive Director of the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission. He has more than 35 years experience in all phases of local and regional planning, zoning and public administration.

Those that are interested in training of this type should contact either David Howerin of the Coosa Valley Regional Development Center (706-295-6485) or Larry Vanden Bosch of the North Georgia Regional Development Center (706-272-2300).