What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A comprehensive plan is an official document adopted by a local government that describes and helps guide decisions about the physical, economic, and social aspects of a community. The plan is generally broad and long-range in nature, usually covering a 20 year period and addresses such elements as population, economic development, housing, natural and cultural resources, community facilities and services, intergovernmental coordination, transportation, and land use. In addition to these eight elements, a vision statement describing what citizens and community leaders need and desire is also included.
Why is the City conducting the 2005 Comprehensive Plan Update?
In 1995, the City of Decatur adopted its current Comprehensive Plan. Under the Georgia Planning Act, the state mandates that in order to maintain a Qualified Local Government status, a local jurisdiction must update its Comprehensive Plan every ten years. The Qualified Local Government status enables the City to collect state and federal assistance funds.
How will the 2005 Update be conducted?
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) publishes specific guidelines that the City must follow in preparing the Comprehensive Plan and its updates. Data concerning demographics, transportation facilities, housing characteristics and the like is obtained from such sources as City and County offices, the United States Census, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Atlanta Regional Commission and other state and local agencies. This data is used to provide a picture of how Decatur looks today and forms the basis to help determine future needs.
The 2005 Update will largely build on the foundation of data collected for the 1995 Comprehensive Plan and more recent studies the City has completed such as the City of Decatur Strategic Plan, Citywide Athletic Facility Master Plan, Preservation Corridor Master Plan, and others.
How will the public be involved?
In addition to technical data gathering, the update will also include a parallel public input process. We want to hear from those who work, live, and recreate in the community. As part of the update process, there will be a variety of opportunities for the public to comment and contribute to the update. Three public meetings will be held to allow citizens to learn about the project, ask questions and provide comments. The first meeting in January will be a kickoff meeting explaining the project in full detail. A second meeting scheduled in March will provide an opportunity for residents to discuss local planning issues and to provide ideas about their vision for the City. The final meeting in May will allow citizens to review the draft 2005 Update and provide feedback before the document is submitted to the State for review.
In addition to the public meetings, the public can stay informed and provide comments via this website. Project staff will also be available via telephone, email, and mail to answer any questions or address concerns. You can reach us at:
City of Decatur 2005 Comprehensive Plan Update
c/o Sycamore Consulting, Inc.
909 Church St., Decatur, GA 30030
404-377-9147 (phone)
404-377-9091 (fax)
hansen-dederick@sycamoreconsulting.net
How long will it take to complete the 2005 Update?
The update is anticipated to be complete by mid-2005. The DCA mandates that the final 2005 Update be adopted by the Decatur City Commission and submitted to the agency by October 31, 2005. In order to provide adequate time for the public, the City Commission and other state and regional agencies to review the draft document, we need to complete our process by the end of June 2005.
How can I stay updated on the project’s progress?
Stay informed on the 2005 Update by watching City of Decatur website and Decatur Focus for project information and meeting announcements. You can also sign up on the mailing list at one of the public meetings or contact project staff at the above address and phone number.