GPA 2007 Spring Conference Session Proposal

Do you have a SESSION idea for the 2007 Spring Conference on Thursday, March 8 to Saturday, March 10 at the Buckhead Sheraton in Atlanta, GA?

Now is the time to make a session proposal with a January 27th deadline quickly approaching. Fill out a separate form for each session proposed... Click for form.

Kick-off of 2007 GA Legislative Session

This week the Georgia 2007 Legislative Session began. IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT PLANNERS STAY TUNED as legislation is likely to arise during the 2007 Georgia legislative session that would force local governments to compensate developers for any perceived loss of property value when they cannot utilize their land to maximize profits as they see fit. These measures, often referred to as “inverse condemnation” or “regulatory takings”, could either raise property taxes substantially or take away local control over land-use issues of critical importance to our communities.

The proponents’ intent is to limit local government enforcement of land-use controls through intimidation via litigation or threats of litigation and/or making the administration of land-use regulations so expensive that they will be abandoned. Regulations such as zoning, tree ordinances, erosion and sedimentation ordinances, stream buffers, historic preservation ordinances and other land use regulations are all at great risk. While the proponents seek to tie these regulatory takings bills to issues of “fairness” or eminent domain (condemnation), the true purpose is to circumvent local government control of land use and zoning that is designed to protect community values.

A number of local government, environmental and planning organizations including GPA have come together to form Georgians for Community Protection, which is working to oppose the legislative effort to eliminate local land use controls. You can find more information about this issue and the organization at the following website:
www.georgiansforcommunityprotection.org.

Announcing AICP Exam Preparation Review Session

A review session is to be held at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Student Success Center on Friday, February 23, 2007 from 9am – 5pm. A $25 fee is payable at the door, please make checks payable to “Georgia Planning Association”.

Make a Reservation Today!
Call or email Gary Cornell, AICP at (678) 333-0229 or gcornell@jjg.com
Click for directions to Student Success Center...

January 16 – 17, 2007
Community Planning Institute Training Program, Savannah, GA
Twelve hours of education in land use, comprehensive planning and legal issues. Course completion provides participants “Certified Planning Commissioner” status granted by the Georgia Planning Association and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Who should attend? Planning Commissioners; Zoning Board of Appeals members; other Citizen Planners and Planning Officials;  Government Planning Staff and Elected Officials. Download Agenda (pdf)

January 22 – 23, 2007
Growth Management in Georgia; Key Issues and Updates in Land Use
for more info please visit their website at www.lawseminars.com/seminars/07LUGA.php

February 2, 2007
Southface – Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable, Atlanta, GA
for more info please visit their website at www.southface.org

March 2, 2007
Southface – Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable, Atlanta, GA
for more info please visit their website at www.southface.org

March 5 – 6, 2007
Community Planning Institute Training Program, Columbus, GA
Twelve hours of education in land use, comprehensive planning and legal issues. Course completion provides participants “Certified Planning Commissioner” status granted by the Georgia Planning Association and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Who should attend? Planning Commissioners; Zoning Board of Appeals members; other Citizen Planners and Planning Officials;  Government Planning Staff and Elected Officials. Download Agenda (pdf)

March 8 – 10, 2007
GPA Spring Conference, Buckhead – Atlanta, GA
for more info please email rlebeau@atlantaregional.com

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

District 10 – Southwestern Chatham County Sector Plan

by Mark Wilkes, PE, AICP, District 10 Director

The sector planning process is one of the tools available to develop a detailed future plan for specific areas. A sector plan will provide a conceptual, long term build-out scenario designed to identify impacts on both a regional and local scale. The infrastructure needed to accommodate the growth and development at build-out is also identified in this process. While the sector plan is focused on a specific area, it is developed within the context of the comprehensive plan and the long range transportation plan.

Chatham County, like other coastal areas, is experiencing a rapid growth rate. As the eastern islands have begun to build out, the highest growth is now focused in the western portion of the County, where there is an abundance of developable rural land.

The Southwestern Chatham County sector planning area is bounded by I-95, I-16 and the Ogeechee River. Portions of three municipalities are located within the sector planning area. These jurisdictions include the City of Savannah, the City of Pooler, the City of Bloomingdale and unincorporated Chatham County.

The recently approved master planned development of New Hampstead encompasses approximately 6,000 acres and is expected to include about 11,000 dwelling units. The approval of New Hampstead has spurred considerable interest in additional large developments in the area. These emerging developments will strain existing public facilities and require substantial investments in new infrastructure, highlighting the need for a pro-active approach to planning.

The sector planning process will include an assessment and evaluation of elements unique to the area, focusing on transportation, land use and cultural resources and assets. Based on the available data, the baseline conditions will be documented for both transportation and land use. Future conditions will be forecast based on current development proposals and additional anticipated growth. The expected impacts from this build-out scenario on the surrounding area and region will be determined and the infrastructure needed to serve this growth will be identified. The final recommended plan will provide the strategic map for the community’s future based on the build-out scenario or concept. Strategies and recommendations will be developed to meet the future needs and will incorporate policy guidance for land use and transportation access and infrastructure.

The Southwest Chatham County Sector Plan will provide a strategic template for decision-makers in their day-to-day activities in dealing with Southwest Chatham County and other high growth areas, focusing on sustainable growth and development integrated with an efficient and effective transportation system and supporting infrastructure.

The Southwest Chatham County Sector Plan is being developed by the Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission, the Chatham Urban Transportation Study and consultant Reynolds Smith & Hills in cooperation with the local governing jurisdictions.