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 needbased 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 publicprivate 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?
MGRC Staff Contacts: Daniel Cummings Senior Government Services Specialist dcummings@mg-rc.org (478) 751-6160 Greg Boike Senior Government Services Specialist gboike@mg-rc.org (478) 751-6160