| Title | Example | More Information | Best Practices |
| Integrity Plaza | Integrity Plaza is a mixed use infill development in downtown Cartersville. There are 15 lofts on the top level, with restaurants and retail space available on the bottom level. The development has created 70 jobs and 63 parking spaces, and has also created a pleasant community gathering space. | Liz Hood Manager Cartersville DDA 770-607-3480 lhood@cityofcartersville.org attach powerpoint or contact Steve Storey |
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| 800 Acres Protected on Dog River in Douglas County | The Trust for Public Land-Georgia conveyed 802 acres of pristine land along the Dog River to Douglas County - the funding for the government's purchase generated by the SPLOST (Special Option Local Sales Tax) voters approved earlier this year. The county is acquiring the land to protect the quality of its drinking water, which is supplied by the river, and to provide recreational opportunities for county residents. The purchase comes on the heels of the county's acquisition of a nearby property, a 470-acre tract along the Chattahoochee River that will also be the site of a future park. The project will protect 2.13 miles of Dog River buffer and approximately 1 mile of Flyblow Creek, a tributary of the Dog River. Friends of Douglas County’s Michael Mulcare advocates creating a local land trust to manage and monitor the property once the county has placed legally protective measures on the land. A Douglas County Chamber of Commerce quality-of-life committee, he adds, named creating a land trust a major initiative that should be undertaken with the support of all interests in the county. | Claude Abercrombie Commissioner Douglas County 770-920-7266 |
Riparian Buffers QCO: Resource Management |
| Acworth Impact Fees | The City of Acworth charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of additional parks and recreational services that the new developments will need. | Brian Binzer 770-974-3112 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Adel-Cook Business Retention and Expansion | The BREP (Business Retention and Expansion Process) surveys are carried out by the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce with local manufacturers. The survey gathers information that local, regional and state agencies use to learn more about how the local economy can compete and flourish. BREP surveys create bonds between local industry, the state and local government, and the economic development community, and are conducted every two years on average. | Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce 229-896-2281 |
Existing Industry Program (EIP) QCO: Economic Prosperity Tracking Business Needs QCO: Economic Prosperity |
| Affordable Housing in Rome | The City of Rome is using DCA’s CHIP program to build quality, affordable housing in a declining neighborhood. South Rome is one of Rome’s oldest developments outside the City center, having started in the 1870’s and all homes are pre-WWII. It is a traditional neighborhood with emphasis on walkability and interaction between people. Rome’s CHIPBuild project has built 17 single-family homes on lots where previously burned or decayed structures had been removed. Another 9 historically sensitive homes are scheduled to begin construction in 2003. | Ron Sitterding Director Community Redevelopment 706-236-4477 commdev@romegacitygov.org |
Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Affordable Housing on Decatur's South Side | The Housing Authority of the City of Decatur, in conjunction with a related non-profit and a private developer, worked to develop 20 new townhouses in Decatur’s South Side. The development is not only contributing to the revitalization of Decatur’s South Side, but provides affordable housing to employees of the City of Decatur. Five units were discounted for city workers, giving them the opportunity to purchase a home in the city they serve. | Decatur Housing Authority 404-377-0425 |
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| African-American historic district-City of Dublin | This project is a result of the 2001 City of Dublin resource team visit and team recommendations. An African-American Historic District nomination has been made for the Southside community that is currently awaiting state designation. | Deborah Stanley Grants Coordinator-City of Dublin 478-296-1010 stanleyd@dlcga.com [more information] |
Historic Preservation Program QCO: Sense of Place |
| Albany Tomorrow works to revitalize downtown Albany | By 1982, Albany's downtown was a mirror image of dozens of other Georgia communities. Empty storefronts and little retail traffic marked them all as dying. Many cities like Macon, Augusta and Columbus had historic buildings on which to found a downtown restoration, but Albany had bulldozed its history. At a time when Albany's tax base had moved to the suburbs, it was difficult to convince government leaders to fund downtown improvements, or even see any value in the area. After a devastating flood in 1994, after years of examining the city's problems and in an effort to try and pump new life into the city, a few civic and business leaders visited Georgia cities where intown redevelopment projects had succeeded. The group began to put the best of the different developments together and the result of those early labors now stands as Albany Tomorrow, Inc. (ATI), a $210 million mix of downtown developments sweeping across a wide scope of plans, ideas, even dreams. The public/private ATI effort finished its first building, a $14 million office center, ahead of schedule and under budget, and with a profit for the city's citizens. By working as a business partner with developers, ATI is able to receive fees, which are then plowed back into the organization. Other approaches can generate returns as well. | Thomas Chatmon, Jr. Albany Tomorrow (229) 430-3910 info@albanytomorrow.com [more information] |
Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Alpharetta's Big Creek Greenway | The Big Creek Greenway is primarily a 12-foot wide concrete path that meanders through the deciduous woods along Big Creek offering opportunities for walking, jogging, inline roller blading, and biking. The greenway runs along Big Creek parallel to North Point Parkway. A soft mulch trail encircles a large wetland between Haynes Bridge Road and Mansell Road where wildlife such as blue heron, deer, ducks and Canadian geese can be observed. Long-range plans would extend the greenway to Windward Parkway and to the Roswell city limit. Roswell is developing a plan to expand the linear park south into that city. | Mike Perry Director Alpharetta Parks and Recreation Department 678-297-6100 [more information] |
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| Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway | The Darien Downtown Development Authority sponsored an application to the Georgia Department of Transportation for a Georgia Scenic Byway. The Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway was designated by the GDOT in May 2002. The route is 17.5 miles long and is a regional project involving McIntosh County, the City of Darien, and Glynn County. The required corridor management plan inventories the cultural, recreational, scenic, historic and archeological assets along the route. This is the only Georgia Scenic Byway in south Georgia and the first that GDOT processed since taking over the program several years ago. The Byway can be marketed in many ways, but the intent is to offer protection to the assets along the route in an area of the state that is under growth pressure. | Karen Moore Better Hometown Manager City of Darien (912) 437-7815 darienbh@darientel.net |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Environmental Resource Inventory QCO: Resource Management Scenic Byway Designation QCO: Sense of Place |
| Apartments Over Downtown Buildings in Vidalia | Grand Lady Suites in Vidalia prove that loft apartments don't belong only in the big city. These upscale units rent for $750 a month, and there is a waiting list. They are occupied by executives and physicians who have moved to Vidalia. Living space above retail space brings more people to downtown, making it a safer, livelier place to be. | Paula Toole Main Street Manager Vidalia 912-537-8033 dva@vidaliaga.com [more information] |
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| Appling County – Ecological Tourism in Moody Forest | Folks in Appling County are trying to preserve a prehistoric age, following a blueprint created by Mother Nature before human feet touched Georgia soil. The ancient Moody Forest lies a few miles east of where the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers converge to form the Altamaha. The brooding oaks are populated with deer, foxes, otters and raccoons, as well as such endangered species as gopher tortoises, Eastern Indigo snakes and red-cockaded woodpeckers. The 3,700-acre forest is a world within a world, containing one of the last tracts of virgin long-leaf pine trees in Georgia, a species that once dominated the coastal plains from southeastern Texas to Virginia. Recently, The Nature Conservancy joined forces with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to raise $10 million to buy the Moody Forest -- the first-ever joint purchase by the two organizations. About $1.6 million was raised through the sale of wildlife license plates, with another $1.75 million coming from an anonymous foundation. Fund-raising efforts are continuing. | Heather Rosenblatt conservation assistant (404) 873-6946 |
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| Athens Bottleworks Revitalization | The brand new owners of the old Coca-Cola building on Prince Avenue plan to revitalize the property that originally housed Coke's local bottling and distributing facility. Plans for the project, named "Bottleworks," call for a mixed-use complex of retail and office space and residential apartments. One-third of the space will be designed or retail tenants, a third will be created for office use and a third will be converted to 13 apartments -- townhouses and flats. Many of the apartments will be on the second and third levels of the building. The S & W Development Corporation, which has specialized in historic preservation in Athens, hopes that the development will evolve into a small town center. | Smith Wilson 706-548-9137 |
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| Athens Bus N' Bike | Athens Transit Bus n' Bike Program allows bicyclists to take their bicycles with them when they ride the bus. Special carriers allow riders to quickly and easily store up to two adult size bicycles on the front of the bus. The racks which are installed in every ATS bus, only contacts the bike's tires, reducing any potential damage to a loaded bike. There is no additional charge for using the racks. | Jerome Parker ACC Transit 706-613-3432 |
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| Athens Clarke County Community Forest Cover and Tree Analysis | A grant was awarded by the Georgia Forestry Commission to the ACC-Urban Tree Advisory Committee. The project is to define the current community forest cover and to measure the changes in that cover over the past 20 years as occurred in three general land use classes, urban/industrial, residential, and rural agriculture/forestry. This is to be done in support of a sustainable community forest management initiative designed to meet the community forest goal of Athens-Clarke County. | Ann McDaniel Keep Athens Clarke County Beautiful Commission 706-369-5708 |
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| Athens-Clarke Greenbelt | The 1999 Comprehensive Plan, for Athens-Clarke County and the City of Winterville, called for the designation of "areas that are predominantly rural in character as a boundary for limiting expansion of urban development." To achieve this goal the plan emphasized that it was desirable "for agricultural areas on the periphery of the urban area to remain as productive agricultural lands by using techniques such as transfer of development rights, conservation easements and open space subdivisions." This idea, of a ring of protected greenspace around Athens, has come to be known locally as the "greenbelt." At present the greenbelt area is zoned for a ten acre minimum lot size, but a conservation subdivision can be done at one unit per five acres. Nonresidential uses are possible, but severely limited. The current regulations have, in general, prevented sprawl-type development from occurring in the greenbelt. | Rick Cowick Senior Planner Planning Department, Athens-Clarke County 706-613-3515 |
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| Atkinson/Willacoochee Restructuring Project | Atkinson County and the City of Willacoochee were experiencing a decline in economic activity due to globalization and economic restructuring. As a result, railroads that once served the area had either pulled up their rail or abandoned service. With the help of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Willacoochee purchased and renovated an abandoned railroad, which allowed a new company to move in, spawning economic development and creating 135 high-quality jobs. | Grants for Financing Infrastructure Improvements QCO: Local Preparedness |
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| Atlanta Scripto Factory Remediation | Land that once housed a Scripto ink and pen plant was located next to the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site in Atlanta. Contaminated with elevated levels of total petroleum, hydrocarbons, lead, arsenic, PCE, TCE, cyanides, and methylene chloride, the 5.23 acres were cleaned up from 1992 to 1996. The acquisition and development costs were paid by the National Park Service, while the remediation costs were paid by the former landowner. The area is now part of the expanded Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site. | [more information] |
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| Atlanta Tree Protection Ordinance | Atlanta is known for its large number of trees, in comparison to other cities. These trees are valued as a scenic amenity, and also for their environmental qualities: they lower temperatures, help clean the air, protect groundwater, and provide habitat for animals. In 1977 the city passed a law protecting trees, which has been amended in 1995, 2001 and 2002. The tree protection ordinance sets out strict rules limiting the removal of trees, protecting trees during construction, and specifying when new trees must be planted. The ultimate goal of the ordinance is to prevent a net loss of trees in the city, and to protect "mature" trees. In particular, a permit is required before any tree with a diameter larger than 6" can be removed. In many cases, new trees must be planted to replace those that have been cut down. The City Arborist makes decisions regarding day-to-day implementation of the ordinance, and those decisions may be appealed to the Tree Conservation Commission. | The City Arborist 404-330-6874 [more information] |
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| Atlantic Station | The ongoing Atlantic Station development is on the former Atlantic Steel Mill brownfield site in Midtown Atlanta. The project is redeveloping 138 acres into a giant live-work-play area that contains housing (townhouses and apartments), offices, entertainment (including a cinema), a hotel, and extensive retail. Two of the buildings are skyscrapers which make their mark on the city's skyline. There is a small park as well. The City of Atlanta established a tax allocation district (which uses tax increment financing) to pay for infrastructure improvements in the area, including roads, sidewalks, sewers and parking. Atlantic Station's expected high rate of "internal capture" was a factor in gaining EPA approval for it. The project is also knit into the surrounding areas. A new bridge, the 17th Street Bridge, was built over the I-75/85 highway to tie the project to Midtown Atlanta, and an adjacent pre-existing residential neighborhood is well connected by several streets. 17th Street has been extended all the way through the project, from the new bridge to Northside Drive, and this major new route may help ease traffic congestion. | Kristen Stone Edelman Public Relations 404-832-6778 kristen.stone@edelman.com [more information] |
Improving Street Connectivity QCO: Transportation Options Tax Allocation District (TAD) QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Atlantic Steel Mill brownfield site | Located in Midtown Atlanta, the former Atlantic Steel Mill brownfield site has been redeveloped into the giant Atlantic Station mixed-use development. As the largest urban brownfield redevelopment in the country, the restoration of the site necessitated the remediation of soil contaminated by years of industrial use. Approximately $10 million was spent to remediate the Atlantic Station property, with over 12,000 truckloads of material removed from the site. | [more information] |
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| Auburn Glenn Apartments | The Auburn Glenn is a medium-rise, medium-density apartment building which covers nearly 3.5 acres and includes 271 apartment units, apartment amenities, and 10,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space. The Auburn Glenn is part of the resurgence of higher density mixed-use urban development in Atlanta. The project is located in the Martin Luther King National Historic District and takes design cues from the adjacent historic Auburn Avenue commercial district. It is a private development by a partnership of for-profit and not-for-profit developers, and has received significant support and funding through the Atlanta Development Authority in exchange for long-term affordability for 75% of the residents. | Tom Dalia Principal Architect Smith Dalia Architects, LLC 404-892-2443 |
Creative Design for Higher Density QCO: Efficient Land Use Mixed-Income Housing QCO: Housing Options |
| Augusta-Richmond County Small Business Incubator | The Augusta-Richmond County Small Business Incubator is dedicated to providing entrepreneurs with the support they need to grow healthy, viable, and profitable companies. The incubator construction was funded by a $1.1 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) federal grant and $0.4 million from Augusta-Richmond County. The 18,000 square foot building has office space for 19 clients, as well as manufacturing space, administrative offices, and a conference room. The incubator has a Small Business Advisory Board of area business leaders, with whom clients must meet regularly so as to receive the benefit of their advice, knowledge and outside perspective. Organizations that may also provide assistance to incubator clients include Augusta Technical College, the Southeastern Technology Center, Georgia Tech, University of Georgia Business Outreach Services, the CSRA Regional Development Center, and the Metro Augusta Chamber of Commerce. Clients normally "graduate" from the incubator when they outgrow the space, achieve financial stability, and/or have completed three years there. | [more information] |
Business Incubator QCO: Economic Prosperity |
| Azalea Street Redevelopment Project-City of Hinesville | This project is the result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. The project was undertaken to address an urban blight problem in a low-income neighborhood. They applied for and received DCA funding, and are replatting and building new structures. | Billy Edwards 912-876-3564 [more information] |
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| Balzar Theater | The Balzar Theater is a 200 hundred set located in the historic Fairlie-Poplar district. The playhouse will add to the cultural-district vision proposed by Research Atlanta at Georgia State University. The vision links Fairlie-Poplar's ambience with Auburn Avenue's historical significance to spark revitalization. The theater's structural architecture will be preserved and the rest of the building will be rebuilt to meet the environmentally efficient building standards adopted by the U.S. Green Building Council. | Tom Key Artistic Director Theatrical Outfit |
Adaptive Reuse QCO: Efficient Land Use Historic Preservation Program QCO: Sense of Place |
| Beall’s Hill neighborhood | This project received rezoning approval that will allow mixed-use redevelopment. It is the third and final neighborhood surrounding Tattnall Square Park to be revitalized since 1996. The rezoning will allow for a variety of uses, including residential, multi-family dwellings, neighborhood business/retail, public buildings, public parks and churches. | [more information] |
Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use Traditional Neighborhood Development Standards QCO: Sense of Place |
| Beaver Springs Lane Revitalization | The Gwinnett Housing Resource Partnership, Inc. acquired and rehabilitated a 196-unit apartment complex and 42 nearby quadraplex and duplex units that were plagued with drugs and disrepair to provide housing at low rents to hundreds of families each year. In addition to the building rehabilitation, GHRP is working on the community rehabilitation. | Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use |
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| Beaver Springs Lane Revitalization Initiative in Gwinnett | The Gwinnett Housing Resource Partnership’s (GHRP) revitalization on Beaver Springs Lane project focuses its efforts on providing low cost quality housing to low-and-moderate income families. GHRP continues to purchase and revitalize homes in this neighborhood while promoting a safe, secure community. Positive cash flow from the rental project will be reinvested in the community to continue the revitalization. The revitalization of Beaver Springs Lane is having a positive effect on surrounding neighborhoods. | Gwinnett Housing Resource Partnership 770-448-0702 |
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| Berkeley Lake-septic monitoring | The city of Berkeley Lake in Gwinnett County established a pumping requirement for more than 600 lakefront homes. It is part of their septic systems ordinance that requires property owners to have their tanks inspected and serviced every 5 years. Homeowners who fail to comply can face fines of $500 and 60 days in jail. | Jackie Wall 770-368-9484 [more information] |
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| Bibb Impact Fees | Bibb County charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of water and sewer that will be needed to serve the new developments. | Vernon Ryles 478-751-7460 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Big Box Standards in Carrolton | The Mayor and City Council also adopted Big Box Development Standards at its March meeting. The regulations apply to new construction, additions and remodeling of retail establishments exceeding 50,000 gross square feet of floor area serving a single tenant or multiple tenants in a single structure or development. Areas of emphasis include size and mass, building design, site design, community spaces, landscaping, parking, lighting, and outdoor storage. The standards also include a provision requiring a fee to be paid in lieu of occupation tax for vacant buildings exceeding 50,000 square feet to cover the cost of more intensive municipal services (fire, police, community development, and codes enforcement). | Tracy Dunnavant Community Development Director City of Carrollton (770) 830-2002 tracydunnavant@carrolltongeorgia.com [more information] |
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| Blueprints for Successful Communities in Athens | Blueprints for Successful Communities has won national acclaim for helping Georgia grow without sacrificing the environment. In the Atlanta region the Conservancy has educated business, government and community leaders about the costs and consequences of unplanned sprawl. Through community designed workshops, they have taken this program to in-town neighborhoods, small communities and the counties along the transportation corridor between Atlanta and Athens. The goal of Blueprints is to work with communities to help them find the tools they need to plan for growth in the ways that protect what they value most, their quality of life and sense of community. | Susan Kidd VP for Advocacy and Education The Georgia Conservancy 404-876-2900 skidd@gaconservancy.org [more information] |
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| Braselton Impact Fees | The Town of Braselton charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of police and libraries that will be needed to serve the new developments. | Jennifer Scott 706-654-3915 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Brooks Impact Fees | The Town of Brooks charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of fire protection that will be needed to serve the new developments. | Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
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| Business Expansion Center of Coosa Valley Technical College | The Business Expansion Center of Coosa Valley Technical College, begun in June 2001, is a business incubator located in Rome (Georgia) that serves the Coosa Valley region. It was started with a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. The 38,500 square foot building contains tenant space for manufacturing, service, and information technology start-ups. The Business Expansion Center gives entrepreneurs low-cost office and manufacturing space, various support services, and access to the resources of Coosa Valley Technical College. | [more information] |
Business Incubator QCO: Economic Prosperity |
| Camp Creek Marketplace | Camp Creek Marketplace is a 1.2 million square-foot "power center" (essentially a strip mall). The area was difficult to develop due to its topography and lack of infrastructure, and so the City of East Point created a TAD (tax allocation district) to construct the needed infrastructure. This led to activity on the part of developers; the Camp Creek Marketplace provides retail in a low-income area that needs such amenities. A new business park is also under construction as part of the TAD. | Tax Allocation District (TAD) QCO: Efficient Land Use |
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| Canton Livable Center Initiative | The City of Canton developed a study of the downtown area and in particular an area adjoining the Etowah River Greenway and an old textile mill. The plan investigated housing opportunities and other Atlanta Regional Commission's Liveable Center Initiative goals to connect and further develop mixed-uses in the downtown area. Many of the goals identified in the plan have been implemented including "create an active downtown" and "provide attractive and safe commercial and residential areas." In 2010, the Canton Main Street program was started and programs such as Code Red and Nixle, a community information service have been put in place. | Ken Patton Director Community Development Department 770-704-1522 ken.patton@canton-georgia.com [more information] |
Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Canton Mill Lofts | The Canton Mill, built in 1924, has been redeveloped into lofts available only to residents who make a certain income. (A one-person household must make no more than $26,520 per year.) The Canton Mill Lofts are financed through programs designed to offer tax breaks to save historic buildings and tax credits and tax exempt bonds for affordable housing. The project is one of three affordable housing developments in Cherokee County. | Ken Patton Director Community Development Department 770-704-1522 ken.patton@canton-georgia.com |
Adaptive Reuse QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Carrollton Adopts Greenspace Standards | The City of Carrollton has adopted standards requiring new subdivisions to set aside up to 30 percent of their gross area as greenspace. Developers may choose to provide any combination of greenspace types (natural areas, greenways, greenbelts, playgrounds, plazas/greens, courtyards, and parks) as long as the total acreage meets the required percentage. Credit may be given for the retention of existing vegetation. | Tracy Dunnavant Community Development Director City of Carrollton (770) 830-2000 tracydunnavant@carrolltongeorgia.com [more information] |
Cluster Development QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Carrolton Strengthens Buffers and Residential Building Design Standards | The City of Carrolton strengthened its buffer requirements by mandating buffers between all parcels with different zoning designations or uses. Intensity of the buffer is determined by the proposed use in relation to the adjacent development. Developers can choose from several buffer options, which vary in size and frequency of planting. In addition, residential building design standards were established that apply to all new single-family, multi-family and manufactured homes constructed/placed within the City. The requirements are designed to approve the structure’s aesthetic appeal and focus on orientation of the dwelling, floor area, roof pitch, foundation, eaves, and garages. | Tracy Dunnavant Community Development Director City of Carrollton (770) 830-2001 tracydunnavant@carrolltongeorgia.com [more information] |
Creative Design for Higher Density QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Centennial Olympic Park | Centennial Olympic Park was created in 1996 for the Olympics, in what was a run-down area of empty lots and abandoned buildings in downtown Atlanta. (During the Olympics, it was the location of a tragic bombing.) It represents a much-needed area of greenspace in the downtown, is popular with both residents and tourists, and has become a distinctive symbol of the city. Unfortunately its legal status as public land is not clearly defined. | ||
| Centennial Place | Located on the former site of Techwood Homes, the nation's first public housing project, this innovative, large-scale residential project was developed through a public-private partnership. It was the Atlanta Housing Authority's first public housing/mixed-income initiative and includes a wide range of apartment sizes with rents varying by income. In addition to the planned socio-economic mix, the 60-acre community includes a new school, a new YMCA center, a new police mini precinct and a renovated community center. | [more information] |
Creative Design for Higher Density QCO: Efficient Land Use Mixed-Income Housing QCO: Housing Options |
| Chamblee Livable Center Initiative | Through Livable Center Initiatives (LCI), the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) will invest $5 million over the next four years to fund "smart growth" studies around Atlanta. Beginning in 2003, ARC will contribute $350 million to help implement the various study projects. The City of Chamblee is the location of a MARTA rail station, although many uses near the station are not associated with transit. The LCI study will consider the opportunities for transit oriented development (TOD) and other LCI goals in the study area. | Kathy Brannon Chamblee CEO Office 770-986-5010 |
Small Area Plans QCO: Sense of Place Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Chattahoochee Hill Country Introduces TDR Program in South Fulton County | Residents of the Chattahoochee Hill Country, a 40,000-acre area in south Fulton County, and land planning experts created a master plan to preserve the area’s rural character while accommodating future growth. The resulting comprehensive land-use plan and overlay district guidelines that were adopted by Fulton County concentrate future growth in three 750-acre high-density, mixed-use and pedestrian friendly villages. The plan was made possible when Fulton County adopted a transfer of development rights ordinance in April 2003. Within the Chattahoochee Hill Country, the receiving areas are the three villages. To calculate the number of TDR’s needed for residential development, one subtracts the gross acreage to be developed from the total number of residential units to be developed. Thus, if 7000 residential units are to be developed on 500 acres, 6500 TDR credits are needed. For every 2,000 square feet of commercial space, a developer is required to buy one TDR. For every acre of village, approximately seven acres in the sending area will be preserved in perpetuity. A nonprofit TDR bank is in the process of being established. The Atlanta Regional Commission named the Chattahoochee Hill Country its first greenfield Livable Centers Initiative project. As such, the Hill Country received an $87,000 ARC grant to fund the design of a model sustainable village. A complementary grant of $10,000 was made by the State of Georgia Department of Community Affairs for the development of a GIS greenspace database. | Stacy Patton Executive Director Chattahoochee Hill Country Alliance 678-463-1548 stacy@chatthillcountry.org [more information] |
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| Chattooga County Develops Standards | Chattooga County has traditionally had no development standards. The only requirement to build or locate anything - from a factory to a mobile home – has been a septic tank permit. Through the Northwest Georgia Growth Management Initiative, assistance was provided to the Sole Commissioner in developing some basic land use standards. Working with the Initiatives growth management consultant and the RDC staff, talking points and illustrative guidelines were developed for junk cars, manufactured homes, telecommunication towers, free standing signs, subdivisions and roads, and building permits. The RDC will put the guidelines into ordinance form. The commissioner will begin by raising public awareness through a series of “fire hall meetings” before he acts to pass ordinances. | Dean Clemmer Coosa Valley Regional Development Center 706-295-6485 dclemmer@cvrdc.org |
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| Cherokee County -- Upper Etowah River Alliance | The Upper Etowah River Alliance (Alliance) is an innovative partnership involving watershed stakeholders, regional planning and conservation agencies, university researchers, and county governments. It was initiated to protect 610 square miles of the Upper Etowah River watershed against threats to water quality, biodiversity, and the rural character of the mountainous region. The watershed is both beautiful and ecologically significant, however, it is located north of metropolitan Atlanta and is beginning to experience the impact of explosive growth. The Public Service and Outreach Program at the University of Georgia’s Institute of Ecology helped early on to develop growth management policies. The Institute of Ecology and the School of Law established an ongoing interdisciplinary course directing student research on topics identified by stakeholders. | Charlie Frear Executive Director Limestone Valley Resource Conservation & Development Council 706/625-7044 lvrcd@pointlink.net [more information] |
Environmental Resource Inventory QCO: Resource Management |
| Cherokee Lighting Ordinance | In 2001 Cherokee County adopted an ordinance to regulate outdoor lighting and road glare. The purposes of the ordinance are to conserve energy, protect privacy, enhance security, prevent excessive light spillover and glare, and improve night sky visibility. The use of full cutoff luminaires is mandated in many cases, as they reduce spillover. Roadway glare, which can be a driving hazard, is also regulated. In most cases those who seek a building permit must submit a lighting plan, along with other data, to show that they will be in compliance with these regulations. | [more information] |
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| Chesapeake Bay Program | In 1996 the Chesapeake Bay Program committed to conserving existing forests along all streams and shorelines, increasing the use of all riparian buffers, and restoring riparian forests on 2,010 miles of stream and shoreline in the watershed by 2010. The program targets efforts where they will be of greatest value to water quality and living resources. The 2,010 mile goal was met in 2002. Tremendous efforts on the part of state natural resource and forestry agencies, federal and local governments, and numerous grassroots and non-profit groups have made this possible. These forest buffers prevent millions of pounds of excess nutrients and sediments from entering local waterways and the Bay each year, and provide a myriad of other benefits to the Chesapeake ecosystem. | Sally Claggett US Forest Service, Chesapeake Bay Program 800-968-7229 ext. 706 claggett.sally@epa.gov [more information] |
Riparian Buffers QCO: Resource Management |
| Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park Traffic Impact Study & Subarea Transportation Plan | The Georgia Dept. of Transportation (GDOT) in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), using funds provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is sponsoring a consultant study to investigate changes in traffic patterns in and around the Chickamauga Battlefield Park resulting from the completion of the US 27 Relocation in Walker County, Georgia. Study goals: to minimize adverse impacts on teh CCNMP and its resources from traffic within the study area boundaries, to ensure that the transportation system meets the mobility needs of the community and region. Objectives include reducing non-park vehicular traffic volume on park roadways, to provide adequare transportation facilities for park users, to promote the dev of alternative modes and connections between modes. | [more information] |
Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options Traffic Impact Studies QCO: Transportation Options |
| City of Dalton Develops Infill Development Design Guidelines and Regulations | The City of Dalton is developing infill development guidelines and regulations. The consultants chosen have mailed a contract to the City. The Infill Regulations will be implemented by neighborhood as a section of the Zoning Ordinance. | Gaile Jennings Director Office of Workforce Housing and Quality Growth 706-281-4804 GJennings@whitfieldcountyga.com |
Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| City of Dublin Farmer's Market | This project is a result of the 2001 City of Dublin resource team visit and team recommendations. City of Dublin received SPLOST funds to build a Farmer's Market downtown; construction is to begin soon. The new farmer's market will be a huge boost for the city as well as Laurens County. The facility will include an amphitheater with a stage and other amenities allowing it to function as an activity center for family reunions and other community gatherings. | Deborah Stanley Grants Coordinator-City of Dublin 478-296-1010 stanleyd@dlcga.com [more information] |
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| City of Dublin Public Investments | This project is a result of the 2001 City of Dublin resource team visit and team recommendations. Strategic public investments have been made to show the City's commitment to redevelopment of the community, such as locating a police precinct in the area and enhancing code enforcement of dilapidation, junk vehicles and other excessive blight, installing additional lighting for security along neighborhood streets and new sidewalks to ensure linkages between neighborhoods, schools, and the commercial downtown district, as well as working with local groups to improve and maintain the appearance of park areas and public right-of-ways. | Deborah Stanley Grants Coordinator-City of Dublin 478-296-1010 stanleyd@dlcga.com [more information] |
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| City of Dublin Urban Redevelopment Plan | This project is a result of the 2001 City of Dublin resource team visit and team recommendations. The City of Dublin is preparing to embark upon development of an Urban Redevelopment Plan for the Southside community with hopes of removing barriers that have hindered redevelopment efforts. This venture will additionally allow for redevelopment of areas within DDA boundaries. The DDA and the Southside Revitalization Committee will assist input and implementation of the Plan, which will be developed and administered by city officials. Upon completion of the URP, officials plan to create Enterprise Zones and pursue state designed Opportunity Zones, as well as other state and federal programs to encourage redevelopment projects in the area. | Deborah Stanley Grants Coordinator-City of Dublin 478-296-1010 stanleyd@dlcga.com [more information] |
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| City of Hinesville Resource Team | A Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team visited the city in November 2000 and developed several smart growth oriented recommendations for improving the quality of life in Hinesville. The full report resulting from the visit can be viewed at www.dca.state.ga.us/publications/hinesvillebook.html. The city is currently in the process of implementing some of the recommendations resulting from the Resource Team visit. | Jim Frederick Director DCA Office of Quality Growth 404-679-3105 jfrederi@dca.state.ga.us [more information] |
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| City of Hinesville-Right of Way Acquisition | This project is a result of a resource team visit and resource team recommendations. The City of Hinesville is undertaking several transportation enhancements projects, including a major right of way acquision at Memorial Drive/Washington Avenue. | Billy Edwards 912-876-3564 [more information] |
Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place |
| City of Marietta - Greenspace Preservation | The City of Marietta purchased approximately four acres of greenspace, using the city's greenspace funds. The acquired land is a wooded area that runs alongside a creek. The primary function of the greenspace is for preservation. | Rich Buss Director Marietta City Parks and Recreation 770-794-5601 |
Riparian Buffers QCO: Resource Management |
| City of Thomason and McDuffie County Forge Water Solution | In 1990, prompted by water shortages due to drought, the City of Thomson and McDuffie County signed a fifty-year contract forming a multi-jurisdictional water supply and wastewater system that is jointly owned and operated. The contract also formed a Water Commission that guides the countywide water supply and wastewater system. By combining resources, the city and county have acquired additional sources of potable water and expanded water services throughout the country without incurring long-term debt. After 10 years of infrastructure construction and service expansion, the multi-jurisdictional water services system is now countywide. When the joint water system began, approximately 1% of the county citizens had access to governmentally owned water supplies. At the completion of the current projects, approximately 75% of the county residents will have access to adequate supplies of safe drinking water and sewer services. The county wide access to water supplies has also drawn industry to the city and county. | Joyce Blevins Chairman McDuffie County Commission 706-595-4710 |
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| City of Valdosta CHIP Grant | Due to the development and cultivation of creative partnerships and resources, the City of Valdosta has created Georgia’s fourth Land Bank Authority. The Authority plays an important role in infill development and neighborhood revitalization. What were once substandard homes and overgrown lots are being transformed into new neighborhoods with affordable and desirable housing. | City of Valdosta 229-259-3500 |
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| City of Vienna Infill Housing | This project is a result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. The resource team recommended building housing for moderate-income individuals, reusing vacant sites in existing neighborhodds, utilizing housing programs, and using landscaping buffers between the neighborhood and roadway. To date, the city has become aggressive in removing substandard housing, especially mobile homes and dilapidated housing. The city is in the progress now of talking with landowners to try to obtain land to develop subdivisions. The Empowerment Zone has also started a Youth Build Housing Program in which the city is participating. Infill housing has become a bigger focus on the Work Plan and will be addressed in the current Master Planning process. | Sherry Evans 229-268-4920 skevans@sowega.net |
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| Clarkesville - Greenway Project | The Greenway, a five mile loop around Clarksville, will protect greenspace, provide an alternate transportation route, enhance the city's beauty, and preserve local streams and trees. | Justin Ellis Executive Director Soque River Watershed Association 706-754-9382 srwa@soque.org [more information] |
Riparian Buffers QCO: Resource Management |
| Clarkesville Preservation Corridor | Clarkesville is concerned about the impact of commercial development along the main corridor. The city adopted an amendment to their zoning ordinance creating a preservation corridor to include the main corridor from the intersection on 44/197/17 through town to the square. The corridor has a strict sign ordinance. tree protection, and ordinances designed to retain the rural character of the town. An overlay district was created with five character areas, each with specific guidelines: downtown commercial area, regular commercial area, greenspace area, redevelopment area and residential area. | Barry Johns Zoning Administrator City of Clarkesville 706-754-4216 bjohns@clarkesvillega.com [more information] |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Creative Design for Higher Density QCO: Efficient Land Use Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place |
| Coastal Georgia Regional Community Forestry Initiative | A grant awarded to the Coastal Georgia RC&D Council will provide for community forestry workshops to protect trees on construction sites and improve community forest maintenance. Also part of this project is an information campaign for builders and homeowners on the value of retaining forest trees on new homesites; placement of tree ID signs at schools, parks and greenways in rapidly growing communities; establishment of 2 grow out centers to grow trees for public lands in the region. | Donald White Coordinator 912-876-6485 |
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| Cobb County Drive Reduction Program | After joining the Partnership for a Smog Free Georgia in 1998, Cobb County Government formed a committee to develop and implement a smog reduction program. The plan includes: alternate work schedules, an education and awareness program, a guaranteed ride home program for transit riders and car poolers, and various operations and maintenance strategies such as, encouraging the refueling of vehicles after 6p.m., environmentally friendly paints and solvents, and discontinuing the use of gas powered equipment on smog alert days. Implementation began in May 1999 and as a permissive strategy in which none of the elements are manadatory. The program was so effective that the Board of Commissioners voted to continue the program year-round. Additional projects followed the success of the initial program including installation of bike racks on CCT buses, an initiative to increase tree cover in county parking lots, and implementing special promotions for employees including "Try Transit Week" and "Clean Commute Week." | Laraine Vance 770-528-2125 |
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| Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway | Whitfield County and Murray County have partnered and applied for Georgia Scenic Byway status for the Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway. There will be three trailheads; one located at the Cohutta Fish Hatchery, one at historic Prater's Mill and one close to the entrance of Fort Mountain State Park. This particular route contains all six of the Intrinsic Qualities necessary to be designated a Georgia Scenic Byway. The Georgia Department of Transportation has approved the route chosen. As part of the Byway process, both Whitfield and Murray Counties will put a Corridor Management Plan in place. A Corridor Management Steering Committee met for the first time on October 18, 2002. The Steering Committee addressed the digital inventory and specific points along the route were identified for buffering recommendations and other various zoning compliance issues. The Steering Committee also adopted a vision and goals. Property owners along the route were notified of the scenic byway designation and invited to a public hearing in Whitfield County on March 4th and in Murray County on February 25th. Whitfield and Murray Counties received $20,000 from a joint Local Development Fund Grant to fund Master Plans for all three trailheads. Currently, consultants are overlaying conceptual designs on the GIS maps provided by both counties. This project is scheduled for completion by August 1, 2003. | Gaile Jennings Director Office of Workforce Housing and Quality Growth 706-281-4804 GJennings@whitfieldcountyga.com |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Scenic Byway Designation QCO: Sense of Place |
| Columbia Citihomes | Columbia Citihomes is an apartment complex in Atlanta's Edgewood neighborhood, on the former site of a run-down housing project. It is next to the new Edgewood Retail District. (This is in the part of Atlanta in DeKalb County). Several local and state agencies partnered with Columbia to create financing for the development, making it possible for some of the units to be rented at highly discounted rates to those who qualify. Organized Neighbors of Edgewood, the neighborhood association, worked with Columbia to ensure that the project would meet their concerns. The apartment buildings resemble large homes, and fit well into the neighborhood. Unfortunately the complex is fenced and gated--a major drawback not in keeping with quality growth principles--but its buildings do face the street. The drive entering the complex is similar in appearance to a typical residential street. There are 84 two-bedroom apartments, and amenities such as a picnic area, fitness center, and laundry room. | Creative Design for Higher Density QCO: Efficient Land Use Mixed-Income Housing QCO: Housing Options |
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| Columbia County "Forward 2020" | "Forward 2020" is the name for Columbia County's Growth Management Plan 2000 update. Beginning in November 1999, the Forward 2020 process is scheduled to last 16 months. Among many goals, the plan will ultimately seek to project future population trends; stabilize and enhance existing neighborhoods while creating new housing opportunities; diversify and strengthen the City's economic base, protect and utilize natural and historic resources; and guide future land use decision making. The planning process is guided by a steering committee of appointed citizens, the planning commission, and the County Department of Planning and Development. There are many opportunities for citizen participation and since it is central to the process it is strongly encouraged. | Columbia County Planning and Development Services Department 607-868-3400 |
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| Columbus Historic Design Guidelines | The City of Columbus has created detailed historic design guidelines to protect its architectural heritage. These guidelines apply to both individual buildings and entire districts. (The four historic districts are Waverly Terrace, Weracoba, High Uptown, and the Historic District.) A Certificate of Appropriateness is required, before the start of construction, for any change to the exterior of a designated historic property. | Planning Department 706-653-4116 [more information] |
Adaptive Reuse QCO: Efficient Land Use Historic Preservation Program QCO: Sense of Place |
| Columbus-Muscogee Municipal Utility Watershed Management | The Columbus Water Works (CWW) initiated a pilot project to compare various treatment alternatives as well as to determine the most cost effective means of complying with the new state requirements to eliminate combined sewer overflows (CSOs). As a result of CWW’s cleanup effort, Columbus became the only city in Georgia to meet the state’s deadline to clean up combined sewer discharges to rivers and streams. In addition, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chose CWW as a national demonstration program for the purpose of assisting other communities in dealing with CSO issues. Major community development projects, which have helped revitalize the region, were integrated into the CSO plan. CWW fostered a public education initiative to develop a long-term commitment to the protection and wise use of the region’s water resources. A second national demonstration program was also developed as a continuation of the CSO wet weather treatment technologies. Funding sources include SPLOST, revenue bonds, and a congressionally appropriated grant. | Billy Turner 706-649-3400 |
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| Community-Wide Signage | The City of Dalton is investigating a community-wide signage system that will involve designed information for the travelways within the geographic perimeter of the City’s streetscape grid. It will include the following: city limit, gateway access, informational, orientation and destination routing, destination locators, route selection, parking access and exit information. As part of this process, the city will undergo a series of branding exercises to determine the appropriate identity to place on these signs. The selected consultant analyzed existing signage, traffic patterns, photographic inventory and intersections. Whitfield County is also interested in this type of system and plans to participate as soon as feasible. The City anticipates that the branding portion of this process will be completed some time in the spring. | Gaile Jennings Director Office of Workforce Housing and Quality Growth 706-281-4804 GJennings@whitfieldcountyga.com |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place |
| Community-Wide Signage-Dalton-Whitfield | This project is a result of the resource team visit and team recommendations. The City of Dalton is investigating a community-wide signage system that will involve designed information for the travel ways within the geographic perimeter of the City's streetscape grid. It will include the following: city limit, gateway access, information, orientation and destination routing, destination locators, route selection, parking access and exit information. A consultant was hired to analyze existing signage, traffic patterns, and intersections and completed a photographic inventory. This plan was given to the Signage Committee for further analysis. The county is also interested and hopes to participate in this type of system. | Gaile Jennings 706-281-4804 [more information] |
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| Comprehensive Plan Work Program | The joint comprehensive plan work program for Blakely and Early County called for an improvement program in Blakely's downtown, centering on their historic courthouse. The plan listed the enhancement of the area around the square as a double goal, with new street lighting, landscaping on the corners and on the grounds of the Courthouse, and new sidewalks. | Downtown Planning QCO: Sense of Place |
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| Conyers Livable Center Initiative | Through Livable Center Initiatives (LCI), the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) will invest $5 million over the next four years to fund "smart growth" studies around Atlanta. Beginning in 2003, ARC will contribute $350 million to help implement the various study projects. The City of Conyers will develop a study of four separate areas of the jurisdiction and focus on how the goals of LCI can be met while incorporating these fragmented areas with the historic town center. | Marvin Flanigan Planning and City Services 770-929-4280 |
Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Cordele-Crisp BellSouth Small Business Resource Center | In 1994, Crisp and neighboring Dooly County received federal designation as a Rural Enterprise Community, one of only 30 areas nationwide to receive this designation. In 1997, with a grant from Bellsouth under its Chamber Grant Program for Small Business, the Cordele-Crisp BellSouth Small Business Resource Center Development was created. This case study provides information on the center’s background, how it works, and program outcomes. | [more information] |
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| Cornelia Reviews Ordinances for Quality Growth | The City of Cornelia has begun a project that will review and modify existing ordinances, plans, and policies to identify obstacles to quality growth, and to educate the public about quality growth. The city has a consultant now working with them on the project. | Harry Carter City Manager City of Cornelia 706-778-8585 |
Smart Growth Audit QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Covington Tries Multi-Media Tree Education | A multi-media community tree care education program for citizens, landscape contractors, tree services, city employees, and homebuilders about proper tree protection and maintenance, focusing on protecting city trees from activities originating on private property, and eliminating tree topping within the city. | Connie Head 706-335-7070 |
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| Coweta County - Greenspace | Coweta County is buying additional property to use for public greenspace and conservation subdivisions. The Citizen's Advisory Board supports the county's purchase since the property has historical signficance, and protects and preserves habitats and wetlands. | Sandra Parker Comprehensive Planner Coweta County |
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| Coweta County Greenspace Project | Coweta County is buying more property with green space money. They plan to use the land as public greenspace and conservation subdivisions. The Citizen's Advisory Board supports the county's purchase since the property has historical signficance, and protects and preserves habitats and wetlands. | Sandra Parker Comprehensive Planner Coweta County |
Riparian Buffers QCO: Resource Management |
| Coweta Manufactured Home Compatibility Standards | Coweta County regulates the appearance and design of manufactured homes through compatibility standards. These standards are not imposed in manufactured home parks, but otherwise they apply everywhere--not just on lots in residential areas surrounded by other houses, but on rural lots as well. The intent of the ordinance is to assure that the exterior appearance of manufactured homes is similar to, and compatible with, that of typical houses in the area. The criteria specified are "size, siding material, roof material, foundation and general aesthetic appearance." The general aesthetic appearance is often particularly related to the roof pitch and the overall size of the home, among other factors. A review committee approves and denies applications for placement of manufactured homes. | Michelle Ward Zoning Technician Planning and Zoning Department, Coweta County 770-254-2635 |
Manufactured Home Compatibility Standards QCO: Sense of Place |
| Crogman School Apartments | The historic but dilapidated Crogman School, built in 1923, had been abandoned for 25 years and was due to be demolished when the Atlanta Development Authority saved it in 1996 by purchasing it from the school system. The building was rehabilitated, and along with a new addition it became the Crogman School Apartments, a 105-unit affordable housing complex that has spurred redevelopment in the surrounding Pittsburgh neighborhood. The work complied with historic preservation guidelines, and was funded with tax-exempt bonds and with state, federal and historic tax credits. The Atlanta Business Chronicle awarded the project an honorable mention in its "Best in Atlanta" real estate awards, and the Georgia Housing Conference made it a finalist for the "Magnolia" award in the category of superior design. | Ron Keller Director of Neighborhood Development Atlanta Development Authority [more information] |
Adaptive Reuse QCO: Efficient Land Use Historic Preservation Program QCO: Sense of Place |
| Cuyler-Brownsville | This historic neighborhood serves as a model for neighborhood revitalization. Key components include the use of eminent domain to acquire 125 vacant properties; commitment to capital improvements; the planning for, facilitation and financing of both owner-occupied housing and rental development; and assistance with owner occupied repairs. Capital improvements included the construction of a square, reinstallation of a historic brick street, and installation of sidewalks and historic streetlights. | Jane Massey Community Initiatives Coordinator-Housing Finance Division 770-631-9292 jmassey@dca.state.ga.us [more information] |
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| Dahlonega Supports Yahoola Creek Watershed Project | The Environmental Advisory Council to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division established the Yahoola Creek Watershed Project (YCWP) in July 1998. Prior to the project, watershed residents and local organizations were already working to address water quality issues in stream segments that violated state standards. This relatively small watershed has examples of all types of potential contributors to water pollution including urban, agricultural, forestry, and industrial activities. The development of a 150-acre water supply reservoir created opportunities and issues related to the impact of growth in the watershed. The Yahoola Reservoir will supply water to the city and county about 2 years after the groundbreaking, which is scheduled for December 1999. The withdrawal permit was issued to the city but the city and county share the reservoir costs. The reservoir did not necessarily influence the initiation of YCWP but it has affected the focus of its watershed activities, which now includes source water protection. | Bryan Sorohan Coordinator Yahoola Creek Watershed Project 706-864-6133 yahula99@hotmail.com [more information] |
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| Dalton and Whitfield County Create Joint Community Development Corporation | The City of Dalton and Whitfield County created the Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corporation to address housing needs. A Land Bank Authority will be used as a vehicle for local governments to transfer land, money and other assets to the Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corporation. The Land Bank received a sample Interlocal Cooperation Agreement from the City of Valdosta. Mr. Jose Garcia, Regional Director of the Southeast/Midwest Region for Community Development Corporations conducted training for the CDC Board. The CDC developed a Housing plan and prioritized potential housing sites during his visit. Due to the large Latino population in Dalton-Whitfield County, La Raza was interested in providing technical assistance for creating and developing workforce housing and outreach to those residents. | Gaile Jennings Director Office of Workforce Housing and Quality Growth 706-281-4804 GJennings@whitfieldcountyga.com |
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| Dalton and Whitfield County Join Forces to Acquire Greenspace. | Based on the recommendations in Dalton’s Quality Growth Resource Team Report, the City of Dalton and Whitfield County agreed to combine their allocated greenspace monies for two years of funding to purchase 625 acres of Rocky Face Ridge in Whitfield County. These particular acres were the site of the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge and house the remnants of Civil War rifle pits and other artifacts from that era. This partnering of Greenspace monies helped leverage additional funding from the National Park Service and the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia towards the purchase price of the property. It was felt that local government ownership of this land was vital to protect it from potential development. Since the purchase of the original acreage, two contiguous private property owners have donated an additional 34 acres. A generous donation of 85.18 acres that includes the Clisby Austin House, (Sherman headquartered there while planning the Atlanta Campaign) was made by the Holcomb family. This newly acquired government greenspace is adjacent to the existing Tunnel Hill Chetoogeta Mountain Railroad and is also across I-75 from the Rocky Face Ridge acquisition. The City and County have agreed to continue to spend future greenspace monies on joint projects. | Gaile Jennings Director Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corporation 706-876-1630 gjennings@whitfieldcountyga.com [more information] |
Conservation Easements QCO: Resource Management Environmental Resource Inventory QCO: Resource Management Green Space Plan QCO: Resource Management Hillside & Ridgeline Protection QCO: Resource Management Historic Preservation Program QCO: Sense of Place |
| Dalton Downtown Streetscape Master Plan | The City of Dalton is currently constructing the first phase of the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan. During the construction process, Dalton Utilities is inspecting all utilities and making any necessary upgrades and/or repairs. All exposed electrical lines are being placed under ground. They hope to be finished with Hamilton Street (the Main Street) by April of 2003. | Gaile Jennings Director Office of Workforce Housing and Quality Growth 706-281-4804 GJennings@whitfieldcountyga.com |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options |
| Dalton-Whitfield Infill Development Guidelines | This project is the result of a resource team visit and its recommendations. Dalton County and the City of Whitfield have developed infill development guidelines, conducted infill inventory and site plans, and received a $10,000 grant from DCA. They are currently prioritizing sites to decide which ones will be developed, which will be given to nonprofit groups, and which will be demolished. | Gaile Jennings 706-281-4804 [more information] |
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| Dalton-Whitfield Planned Unit Development | This project is a result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. Whitfield County passed a Planned Unit Development (PUD) section to their zoning ordinance in order to allow increased density developments in March 2004. Any PUD built in Whitfield County will require public sewer and a 20% greenspace set aside (via either fee simple donation or permanent conservation easement). | Gaile Jennings 706-281-4804 [more information] |
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| Daniel-Flagg Villas | The City of Savannah faced a growing need for an increase in housing for persons with HIV/AIDS. Savannah tapped into the resources of DCA's Housing Trust Fund and its Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA). With assistance from HOPWA and Savannah's Phoenix Project, the Daniel-Flagg Villas were launched to help meet the community's growing need. Daniel-Flagg Villas is a 10-unit community of apartments that were created by renovating historic railroad cottages. These units can house patients and provide access to caregivers. The project was a 2004 Magnolia Award Winner. | [more information] |
Adaptive Reuse QCO: Efficient Land Use Housing for the Disadvantaged QCO: Housing Options |
| Darien and McIntosh County Officials Work to Expand Historic Fort Site | Darien Mayor David Bluestein and McIntosh County Attorney Adam Poppell entered into an agreement with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) to transfer 10.1 acres of land adjoining Fort King George to the TPL for expansion of the Fort. TPL will hold the land until local fundraising efforts generate enough to purchase the property. These historically significant lands are a mixture of live oaks and an oak/pine forest that will buffer the Fort from encroaching development. Artifacts suggest that a Confederate encampment was once located on the property. | Russ Marane TPL-Georgia 404-873-7306 ext. 222 |
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| Dawson Economic Development and Growth | The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce is leading an effort to promote responsible growth while making concentrated efforts to maintain the community assets that are attracting growth. The newly adopted Economic Development Plan is putting a priority on existing businesses and industries and aims to encourage commercial, retail, and industrial development in a way that maintains a high standard for quality of life. Prior to developing the plan, the Chamber conducted a comprehensive survey of citizens’ impressions and ideas for improving their community. Many of the concerns and comments of the citizens were related to growth in the county especially along the GA-400 corridor. In 2001 Dawson County joined with Forsyth and Lumpkin counties to host the Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team. The team examined the GA-400 corridor and provided recommendations on traffic management, safety considerations, visual appearance, land use patterns, design of new development, natural and historic resources, development regulations and policies. | Linda Williams Director Dawson County Chamber of Commerce 706-265-6278 L.williams@dawson.org |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options |
| Decatur Roundtables | The Round Tables Project in Decatur has brought together 450 area residents representing a broad cross-section of the community. Beyond providing a forum for these residents to air their concerns, Decatur has involved them in implementing those ideas. Action teams of citizens are working together to strengthen the schools, bring neighborhood associations together, encourage smart growth, preserve green space, and find common ground on tax and service issues. The city's courage to welcome feedback is leading to a more informed public and an involved community with a shared set of goals. | Peggy Merris City Manager City of Decatur 404-370-4100 |
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| Dekalb County -- Peavine Watershed Alliance | The Peavine Watershed Alliance (PWA), a grassroots community-based organization dedicated to restoring and preserving an ecological balance in the Peavine Creek watershed, includes four Atlanta neighborhoods within the six-mile square watershed of Peavine Creek and its three tributaries: Decatur Fork, Fernbank Creek, and Lullwater Creek. PWA and its partners promote a combination of watershed protection tools, and have initiated a greenway project. PWA helps identify ecologically significant parcels, conducts initial investigations, and screens potential acquisitions. It encourages landowners to give conservation easements and donations but does not have the ability to preserve or maintain greenspaces and buffers. Therefore, a corresponding organization, the Trust for Aquatic Greenways was established in 1998. The Trust for Aquatic Greenways partners with the Chattowah Open Land Trust to acquire, maintain, and hold aquatic greenways in stewardship. | Patricia White Executive Director Peavine Watershed Alliance 404/508-7603 peavine@emory.edu [more information] |
Riparian Buffers QCO: Resource Management |
| Dekalb County Consistency Code | Sec. 27-41. Relationship to comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan is hereby established as the official policy of the county concerning designated land uses, under which the unincorporated areas of the county are divided into the following land use categories: (a) Low density residential. (b) Low-medium density residential. (c) Medium density residential. (d) Medium-high density residential. (e) High density residential. (f) Very high density residential. (g) Low intensity commercial. (h) High intensity commercial. (i) Office/professional. (j) Office/mixed-use. (k) Industrial. (l) Transportation/communications/utilities. (m) Institutional. (n) Public and private parks and open space. (o) Agriculture. (p) Vacant and undeveloped. (Ord. No. 99-11, Pt. 1, 4-13-99) Sec. 27-42. Comprehensive plan distinguished from zoning. The comprehensive plan does not alter or affect the existing zoning districts in the county, does not effectuate an amendment to the official zoning maps, and does not itself permit or prohibit any existing land uses. (Ord. No. 99-11, Pt. 1, 4-13-99) | Evaluate Ordinances for Consistency QCO: Local Preparedness |
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| DeKalb Greenways Trail | DeKalb County commissioners approved funding transfers to help pay for a 124-mile greenway trail master plan created by the PATH foundation, a private trail group that has facilitated such projects in many parts of the state. Five trails are planned, in all. The trails ban motorized vehicles except for motorized wheelchairs, and encourage walking, jogging, biking, baby-strolling and skating. | Ray White 404-371-2159 |
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| Douglas County-septic monitoring | The Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority can disconnect water to houses along the Dog River basin--a county drinking water source--if septic tanks aren't pumped every five years. | Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority 770-949-7617 [more information] |
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| Douglasville Livable Center Initiative | Through Livable Center Initiatives (LCI), the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) will invest $5 million over the next four years to fund "smart growth" studies around Atlanta. Beginning in 2003, ARC will contribute $350 million to help implement the various study projects. The city will develop a plan that incorporates the future commuter rail station with other needed features downtown including residential opportunities for loft housing, in-fill and other LCI goals. | Bill Osborne City Manager City of Douglasville 770-920-3000 |
Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Downtown revitalization in the City of Monticello | Since being designated a Better Hometown in 1998, the city has landscaped its downtown square, attracted 20 new businesses to downtown and successfully raised over $873,000 in grant funds, including $400,000 from DCA, to make streetscape improvements. They have also created a historic district and restored the historic Benton Building. Impacts have extended beyond the downtown to the city's entries and gateways-making Highways 11 and 83 the state's second recognized Scenic Byway. | Downtown Planning QCO: Sense of Place Grants for Financing Infrastructure Improvements QCO: Local Preparedness Historic Preservation Program QCO: Sense of Place Scenic Byway Designation QCO: Sense of Place |
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| Downtown square revitalization-City of Vienna | This project is a result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. An LDF was awarded through DC and the landscaping of the Park has been revitalized. The city has also allocated monies in their budget to freshen beds and plants seasonally. The City is addressing other sidewalk issues related to the square. The work has not only beautified the Park, it has provided support from the community for the entire Better Hometown Program. Revitalization efforts have also resulted in a civic group offering money to help. | Sherry Evans 229-268-4920 skevans@sowega.net |
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| Downtown traffic calming measures-City of Vienna | This project is a result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. The Economic Restructuring Committee in the City of Vienna set up a tent in the Park and conducted a traffic count. This helped to receive community input from residents on the idea of a Truckers' Bypass due to damage on downtown buildings and historic homes. They also had local television crews conduct interviews and had stories on the local news. They ran stories, handed out reading materials, and reviewed findings from previous studies. All of this was presented to the City Council where traffic calming will be put back on the table for discussion. | Sherry Evans 229-268-4920 skevans@sowega.net |
Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options |
| Duluth Livable Center Initiative | Through Livable Center Initiatives (LCI), the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) will invest $5 million over the next four years to fund "smart growth" studies around Atlanta. Beginning in 2003, ARC will contribute $350 million to help implement the various study projects. The City of Duluth is located in a high growth area near significant commercial and other development along the I-85 corridor of Gwinnett County. The LCI will enable Duluth to further determine how the city will consider transportation needs and development for the city to function as a mixed-use town center in the area. | Phil McLemore City Administrator's Office 770-476-3434 |
Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Duluth Stormwater Stenciling Program | Along with Gwinnett County, in an effort to clean up Duluth's streams and other water supplies, the City of Duluth is recruiting volunteers to stencil storm drains and distribute door hangers in order to educate the public that everything that is put in a storm drain or the ground ultimately drains to a stream. The program will remind citizens that water quality and aquatic life are directly affected by waste going down storm drains. | City Planner City of Duluth 770-476-1790 |
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| East Ellijay Impact Fees | The City of East Ellijay charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of water and sewer (by the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority) that will be needed to serve the new developments. | 706-276-2204 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| East Lake Commons | East Lake Commons is a cohousing community developed on 20 acres of infill land near downtown Atlanta. The high-density, pedestrian-oriented development includes 67 market-rate townhomes, a community building, and a four-acre community farm. Fully one-half of the site is preserved as garden and open space. Parking areas are located along the perimeter of the site to keep automobiles outside the village cluster, but close enough that the distance from the parking area to the farthest home is less than the average length of a supermarket parking lot. The project has won several awards, and was also chosen by the Sierra Club as an example of smart growth in its 50-state survey, "Smart Choices or Sprawling Growth." | Clayton Preston Village Habitat Design 404-525-4828 [more information] |
Cluster Development QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| East Point Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements | East Point is home to a MARTA rail station, close to two additional MARTA stations, is served by 13 bus routes and is the potential site for a proposed commuter rail station. East Point’s LCI study will capitalize on these transportation amenities by encouraging two TODs with full range of housing, commercial services and employment opportunities. | Small Area Plans QCO: Sense of Place |
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| Eco-Tourism on the Altamaha | The Altamaha River Partnership (ARP) includes a region of 11 counties that have banded together to promote nature based tourism along the river with tours, boat trips, canoeing, etc. River landings are being improved and parks are to be constructed. $2,300,000 has been awarded in grants in the past 2 years for ARP projects. | Jimmy Crowdis Representative DCA Region 9 478-274-7728 jcrowdis@dca.state.ga.us [more information] |
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| Edwards Park Upgrade in Whitfield County | A Georgia Department of Community Afffairs Design Team visited Edwards Park to make recommendations. Whitfield County requested a design/working drawings for the nature trail originally planned as part of that recreation complex. The designers and the County have since determined that tree planting placement should be part of the overall design for the sports complex located at the front of the acreage. The County purchased approximately 50 trees inexpensively from various Georgia Forestry nurseries from a list submitted by designers. An entrance sign will also be included in the design submitted by DCA. | Gaile Jennings Director Office of Workforce Housing and Quality Growth 706-281-4804 GJennings@whitfieldcountyga.com |
Heat Mitigation QCO: Resource Management |
| Edwards Park-Dalton-Whitfield | This project is a result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. Whitfield County focused on the design of a nature trail planning for the Edwards Park recreation complex. Designers decided that tree planting placement should be a part of the design. They are also discussing other physical enhancements like a sign and gazebo. A butterfly and wildflower meadow located in a wetland area will be included in the expanded park design. | Gaile Jennings 706-281-4804 [more information] |
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| Effingham County Environmentally Sensitive Recycling Facility | Effingham County Commissioners are hoping to lead by example with implementation of the first "environmentally sensitive," inert landfill recycling facility in Georgia, which curtails stormwater runoff. The recycling facility will collect used concrete, which will be ground to a size usable in road-building applications, as well as tree debris and stumps which will be rendered into mulch for local residents. A special place for white goods, bulk items and bins will permit recycling of two kinds of plastics, three kinds of glass, two kinds of metals, and most kinds of paper. | ||
| Effingham Impact Fees | Effingham County charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of water, sewer, roads, bridges, parks and recreation, police, jails, fire protection, EMS, E-911 and libraries that will be needed to serve the new developments. | David Rutherford 912-754-2111 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Ellijay Develops Design Standards | The City of Ellijay received funds from the Quality Growth Grant Program to revisit its Zoning Ordinance with a view toward developing and incorporating design standards that will conserve neighborhood character, while allowing sufficient flexibility to not become an economic burden on lower income owners. Guidelines applicable to structures deemed National register eligible would be conformable with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. In addition, the city wants to include ordinance provisions requiring perpetuation of traditional neighborhood development patterns. | Al Hoyle Mayor City of Ellijay 706-635-4711 hoyleam@wllijay.com |
Creative Design for Higher Density QCO: Efficient Land Use Traditional Neighborhood Development Standards QCO: Sense of Place |
| Ellijay Impact Fees | The City of Ellijay charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of water and sewer (by the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority) that will be needed to serve the new developments. | 706-276-2203 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Emtech Bio | Emtech Biotechnology Development, Inc. ("Emtech Bio") was started in 2000 as a joint project of Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Located at Emory's Briarcliff Campus in Atlanta, Emtech Bio provides laboratory space and scientific equipment to start-up bioscience companies. It also allows such companies to benefit from access to the knowledge and resources of Emory and Georgia Tech, and the two universities in turn can be better connected and involved with the applications of cutting-edge research. | [more information] |
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| Environmental Park - Alpharetta | A thirty-six acre site on Kimball Ridge Road in Alpharetta will be developed into a park with an outdoor classroom, amphitheater and environmentally themed kiosks. This site will preserve thirty-four acres of forested wetlands and the ecosystem of Big Creek. | Riparian Buffers QCO: Resource Management |
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| Environmental Services Building | The Environmental Services Building is a new multiple use building in Athens-Clarke County that will house the water plant administrative offices, environmental compliance program offices, and meeting/training rooms. The facility will achieve LEED certification thorugh various measures including use construction techniques that minimize waste, sheilding light pollution, and use of a high effciency heating/cooling system. It is also located on a brownfield site. | [more information] |
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| Fayetteville Mixed-Use Village | The City Council approved PCD (planned community development) zoning for an upscale mixed use development on 110 acres just west of downtown. Specifically, the plan calls for 117,900 square feet of offices, 25,100 square feet of restaurants, 135,400 square feet of neighborhood shopping and four styles of homes ranging from townhouses to large estate homes. The city envisions a pedestrian-friendly community of 203 homes on tree-lined streets, wrapped around a series of neighborhood parks, plus a hotel/conference center, a class A office complex, a day care center and a neighborhood shopping area with loft apartments. | Maurice Ungaro Planning Director City of Fayetteville 770-460-4238 |
Planned Unit Developments QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Fitzgerald Affordable Housing and Neighborhood Redevelopment | The City of Fitzgerald (Georgia) is one of 14 communities in the country to receive HUD's Robert L. Woodson Jr. Award for reducing regulatory barriers to affordable housing. The city has rebuilt and revitalized entire neighborhoods, creating large amounts of affordable housing by taking advantage of state redevelopment laws and public-private partnerships. As a result, more than 315 units of affordable housing have been built or rehabilitated, with additional units in the pipeline, and formerly decaying neighborhoods are now experiencing significant private investment. Fitzgerald became a redevelopment agency under state law, and thus could clear away blighted units and assemble land for redevelopment. Regulatory reform also made it easier for developers to build infill housing. | Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use Land Assembly for Redevelopment QCO: Efficient Land Use |
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| Flexcar Rentals | Flexcar is an hourly rental car service intended for people who live or work in Downtown or Midtown Atlanta and use public transportation as their primary source of transportation. | [more information] |
Flexible Parking Standards QCO: Efficient Land Use Traffic Impact Studies QCO: Transportation Options Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Forsyth County Protects Parkland on Sawnee Mountain | The heavily wooded property features large rock outcroppings and dramatic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is a critical link to existing protected lands. Forsyth County purchased the property from a private landowner using funds from the Georgia Community Greenspace Program, the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, and general county revenues. The county parks department and the nonprofit Sawnee Mountain Foundation will manage it. A recent 90-acre conveyance to the county by the Trust for Public Lands brings the total area protected to 715 acres. | Matthew Pate Outdoor Division Manager Visitor Center 770-781-2217 [more information] |
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| Forsyth County United Development Code | Forsyth County has created a United Development Code. The code represents a comprehensive revision of the county's zoning and subdivision regulations to address growth and development issues. Some of the plans in the code include: conservation and subdivision design provision for mixed use development in commercial categories, parking minimums and maximums, newly added shopping district, urban, commercial and industrial corridors to enhance the visual qualities of development protection and conservation of the County's natural features and historic resources. | Tom Brown Director Forsyth County Planning & Community Development 770-781-2115 lakyle@forsythco.com [more information] |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Creative Design for Higher Density QCO: Efficient Land Use Flexible Parking Standards QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Forsyth Moves Towards Subarea Planning | In the Future Land Use Element of the proposed 2004-2005 Comprehensive Plan, Forsyth County breaks down the county into ten planning subareas. The subareas were created to analyze the county's needs and goals at a closer level asnd elicit a higher degree og community participation. The lines were determined by a variety of factors including physical barriers, historic communities, economics and transportation corridors. | Marcie Diaz Forsyth County Planning and Development 770-886-2762 mmdiaz@forsythco.com |
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| Franklin-Hart Existing Industry Manufacturing Council | In 1997, Hart County hired a full-time economic developer who shortly thereafter created the county’s Existing Industry Program (EIP). A major component of the EIP is a two-county manufacturing council called the Franklin-Hart Existing Industry Manufacturing Council. In a study of distinctive practices in 1999 by the Economic Development Institute, the manufacturing council of the EIP was selected to be a case study. | Existing Industry Program (EIP) QCO: Economic Prosperity Tracking Business Needs QCO: Economic Prosperity |
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| Fulton County Considers Conservation Subdivisions | Fulton County is considering a new zoning ordinance that would allow developers to build houses on smaller lots with the same number of units as currently allowed. The catch is they will have to use the remaining area to provide at least 40 percent greenspace. The ordinance is expected to go before the County Commission March 2004. | Steven Cover Director Environment and Community Development 404-730-8000 |
Cluster Development QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Funding Adaptive Reuse in Rome | Using money from both the Georgia Cities Foundation as well as DCA’s Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund, a group of investors is renovating the circa 1916 Forrest Hotel in downtown Rome. Upon completion, the structure will include 26 apartments, 7 hotel suites, and 5 retail spaces. Long-term plans include the construction of three-story condo housing on top of a parking deck across the street from the Forest. Rome is an Award Winning Main Street city. | Ann Arnold Downtown Development Director City of Rome 706-236-4477 downtown@romegacitygov.org |
Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Gainesville Main Street Market | Downtown Gainesville has undergone a dramatic transformation. The central square has been revitalized and landscaped. A streetscape project took place which included tearing up old streets, sidewalks and parking lots and creating pedestrian and bicycle paths, new pavement and walls, benches and light poles. A pedestrian walkway has been added to connect the square to government buildings. Several buildings have been renovated with the addition of cafes, boutiques, art galleries and a two-story gym. A two mile long greenway connects the square with Lake Lanier, via a network of trails within a wooded creekbed. | R Mansfield Mainstreet Manager City of Gainesville 770-297-1141 rmansfield@gainesville.org' [more information] |
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| Gainesville-Hall County Neighborhood Revitalization Program | In order to address the rapid growth in this region, the City of Gainesville and Hall County were instrumental in developing affordable housing to address the low and moderate-income population. The Gainesville-Hall County Neighborhood Revitalization program offers up to $7,500 in down payment assistance to those purchasing a home within the city limits of Gainesville. | Mary Ledbetter Executive Director Home Development Resources, Inc 770-297-1800 mary.ledbetter@HomeDevelop.org [more information] |
Home Loan Assistance QCO: Housing Options |
| Gateway into Downtown Dublin | This project is a result of the 2001 City of Dublin resource team visit and team recommendations. The City of Dublin is actively planning to improve the shared gateway into Downtown and the Southside Community. The project has been earmarked to receive funding and is awaiting notice from the state. | Deborah Stanley Grants Coordinator-City of Dublin 478-296-1010 stanleyd@dlcga.com [more information] |
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| Georgia 400 Cooridor | This project is a result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. An overlay district has been implemented for the Georgia 400 Corridor in Dawson County, which addresses traffic/access management, architectural control, and landscaping/open space requirements. | Jim King jimk@planning.nu [more information] |
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| Georgia Conservancy Blueprints Sumter County | Blueprints for Successful Communities has won national acclaim for helping Georgia grow without sacrificing the environment. Through community designed workshops, they have taken this program to in-town neighborhoods, small communities and the counties along the transportation corridor between Atlanta and Athens. The Conservancy is now moving out in the state with community planning initiatives in Columbus, Habersham, Morgan and Sumter counties. The goal of Blueprints is to work with communities to help them find the tools they need to plan for growth in the ways that protect what they value most, their quality of life and sense of community. | Susan Kidd VP for Advocacy and Education The Georgia Conservancy 404-876-2900 skidd@gaconservancy.org [more information] |
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| Georgia’s State Preservation program | Georgia's state preservation program encourages regional and local planning, neighborhood conservation, downtown revitalization, economic development, heritage tourism and archaeological site protection. Each state's historic preservation office receives financial assistance through the Historic Preservation Fund of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, and provides matching state funds to carry out the nation's preservation partnership. The National Park Service establishes broad policies, programs and standards for state and local participation in the national program. Preservation incentives, such as the National Register of Historic Places, tax credits and grants, as well as compliance requirements, are established through the National Historic Preservation Act and other federal legislation. States enact programs and services that complement the national program and address the special character and needs of their state. In Georgia, the General Assembly mandates a number of specific preservation programs such as a state property tax freeze, state rehabilitation grants, archaeology protection and stewardship of state-owned buildings. | Karen Anderson-Cordova Planning and Local Assistance Unit, Historic Preservation Division 404-651-6461 karen_anderson-cordova@dnr.state.ga.us [more information] |
Adaptive Reuse QCO: Efficient Land Use Historic Preservation Program QCO: Sense of Place |
| Gilmer County Farming Protection | Development in Gilmer County is occurring at a rapid pace, pushing out into agricultural areas. As part of its new Land Use Ordinance, effective September 1, 2005, Gilmer County added a requirement for an Agricultural Use Notice and Waiver. Developers of new subdivisions adjacent to intensive livestock uses must sign the waiver, which must then be shown to homebuyers. | Jim Smith Director Department of Planning and Community Development 706-635-3406 |
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| Gilmer Impact Fees | Gilmer County charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of water and sewer (by the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority) that will be needed to serve the new developments. | 706-276-2202 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Glenwood Park in Atlanta | Green Street Properties is developing a 28 acre in-town area into a mixed-use traditional neighborhood. The former brownfield development includes retail, office space, high and medium-density multi-family dwellings and single-family dwellings. The craftsman-style architecture blends well with the existing neighborhood. Retail parking is well-contained, and connections with the main traffic circulation patterns are well-maintained through the parking lot directly into the street grid. The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) has recognized the Glenwood Park Design for neighborhood design excellence. | Creative Design for Higher Density QCO: Efficient Land Use Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use |
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| GQGP Resource Team Visit - City of Boston | A Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team visited the city in December 2002 and developed several recommendations for implementing smart growth principles in Boston. The city is currently in the process of implementing many of the recommendations resulting from the Resource Team visit, including creating a new town center, a traditional neighborhood development (TND), and retrofitting of some of their strip commercial corridors. | Lee Russell Chairman DDA 229-498-8500 leerussell@bankcb.com |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Flexible Street Design Standards QCO: Transportation Options Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options |
| GQGP Resource Team Visit - City of Dalton | A Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team visited the city and county in March 2001 and developed several recommendations for implementing smart growth principles in Dalton and Whitfield County. The city and county are currently in the process of implementing recommendations resulting from the Resource Team visit, including revitalization of intown neighborhoods, infill design guidelines, and workforce housing development. | Gaile Jennings Director Office of Quality Growth and Workforce Development (706) 277-0847 [more information] |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options |
| GQGP Resource Team Visit - City of Dublin | A Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team visited the city in July 2001 and developed several recommendations for implementing smart growth principles in Dublin. The city is currently in the process of implementing recommendations resulting from the Resource Team visit, including revitalization of downtown and intown neighborhoods. | George Roussel City Manager City of Dublin 478-272-1620 cityman@dlcga.com [more information] |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options |
| GQGP Resource Team Visit - City of Hinesville | A Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team visited the city in November 2000 and developed several recommendations for implementing smart growth principles in Hinesville. The city is currently in the process of implementing recommendations resulting from the Resource Team visit, including downtown revitalization, infill housing development, and retrofitting of some of their strip commercial corridors. | Billy Edwards City Manager City of Hinesville (912) 876-3564 bedwards@cityofhinesville.org [more information] |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options |
| GQGP Resource Team Visit - City of Warner Robins | A Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team visited the city in March 2002 and developed several recommendations for implementing smart growth principles in Warner Robins. The city is currently in the process of implementing recommendations resulting from the Resource Team visit, including creating a new town center, a traditional neighborhood development (TND), and retrofitting of some of their strip commercial corridors. | Tommy Batchelor Colonel Office of the Police Chief 478-929-1949 tbathcelor@warner-robins.org [more information] |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Flexible Subdivision Regulations QCO: Sense of Place Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options |
| GQGP Resource Team Visit - Georiga 400 Corridor | A Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team visited the corridor in November 2001 and developed several recommendations for implementing smart growth principles to guide future development along the corridor. The local governments along the corridor are currently in the process of implementing recommendations resulting from the Resource Team visit, including partnering to manage water resources in the area. | Steve Gooch Commissoner Lumpkin County 706-864-3742 commissioner@lunpkincounty.gov [more information] |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options |
| GQGP Resource Team Visit - Pike County | A Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team visited the county in November 2002 and developed several recommendations for implementing smart growth principles in Pike County. The county is currently studying implementation of many of the recommendations resulting from the Resource Team visit, including creating a new organization to promote downtown revitalization in the county's five cities, revisions to their development regulations, and retrofitting of some of their strip commercial corridors. | Don Collins 770-567-3033 nutty1@direcway.com [more information] |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Flexible Subdivision Regulations QCO: Sense of Place Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place |
| GQGP Resource Team Visit - South Georgia | A Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team visited the city in August 2002 and developed several recommendations for implementing smart growth principles in Vienna. The city is currently in the process of implementing recommendations resulting from the Resource Team visit, including developing a plan for redevelopment of their downtown square. | Sherry Evans Community Development Director DDA skevans@sowega.net |
Downtown Planning QCO: Sense of Place |
| GQGP Resource Team Visit - South Georgia | A Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team visited the county in August 2002 and developed several recommendations for implementing smart growth principles in the county’s Oak Park neighborhood.The city is currently in the process of implementing recommendations resulting from the Resource Team visit, including developing a comprehensive urban redevelopment plan for the neighborhood. | Tom Couch County Administrator Coffee County couchtm@hotmail.com [more information] |
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| GQGP Resource Team Visit - South Rome | A Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team visited the city in March 2002 and developed several recommendations for implementing smart growth principles in the city’s South Rome Neighborhood. The city is currently in the process of implementing recommendations resulting from the Resource Team visit, including infill housing development and revitalizing an older strip commercial corridor. | Ron Sitterding COmmunity Development and Special PRojects Director City of Rome 706-236-4460 rsitterding@romegacitygov.org [more information] |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options |
| Grayson Highway Overlay District | This highway district is located along U.S. Highway 78 in Gwinnett County. The overlay is requiring higher development standards to provide sidewalks, underground utilities, trees and a mixed-use village. The village will include townhomes, small-lot homes, 17 live-work units and 168,400 square feet of office space. | Emory Morsberger Developer |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place |
| Greenbriar Livable Center Initiative in Atlanta | Through Livable Center Initiatives (LCI), the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) will invest $5 million over the next four years to fund "smart growth" studies around Atlanta. Beginning in 2003, ARC will contribute $350 million to help implement the various study projects. The Greenbriar Mall is an existing older suburban mall area that functions for the immediate community but also offers opportunity for redevelopment. The City of Atlanta will develop a study, which based on LCI goals will be a model for other older suburban strip centers or malls throughout the region to determine needs and incentives for redevelopment. | Harry Boxler Atlanta Bureau of Planning 404-330-6912 |
Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Griffin Stormwater Management Utility | In July 1998, the city of Griffin became the first municipality in Georgia to establish a stormwater utility. The utility addresses stormwater quality and quantity issues and generates funding to implement comprehensive watershed management programs. Information systems and personnel were added to support the development and function of the stormwater utility. The director of public works remains responsible for the overall operation and success of Griffin’s stormwater utility. As part of the program, a memorandum of agreement was established with Spalding County, whereby draining problems common to both jurisdictions are jointly resolved and financed. The two communities are currently addressing a stormwater volume problem due to impervious surfaces in the city that are causing downstream erosion in the county. | Brant Keller Director Public Works and Stormwater Utilities 770-229-6603 bkeller@griffinpower.org |
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| Gwinnett County Water Reclamation | Gwinnett County has received the permit needed to move forward with Phase II of the County's North Advanced Water Reclamation Facility, which will ultimately return 40mgd of highly treated, reclaimed water to Lake Lanier. | Jim Scarborough 678-376-6700 |
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| Gwinnett County-Septic Tank Maintenance | On their website Gwinnett County has provided multiple resources to assist residents and business owners in maintaining their septic systems. Also, the BOC recently hired an environmental company to identify areas of failing septic systems and determine remedies. Finally, Gwinnett County keeps accurate records using computers to track and catalog septic systems. | Environmental Health 770-963-5132 [more information] |
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| Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center | The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center will teach visitors about Gwinnett County and Georgia’s environmental heritage. The center is located on the grounds of a new high-tech water treatment facility, and thus it focuses especially on water issues. Construction began in 2005. The building and site incorporate several low impact development techniques, such as a green roof, pervious paving, bio-swales and constructed wetlands. The building has many other environmentally friendly features as well, including natural lighting where possible, and is expected to attain LEED silver-level certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. | [more information] |
Green Buildings QCO: Resource Management Pervious Paving QCO: Resource Management Stormwater Management QCO: Resource Management |
| Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District | The Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District (CID) was formed in 2005. It includes 191 parcels around Gwinnett Place Mall, an area which has deteriorated as many retailers abandoned it. The CID aims to improve landscaping and walkability, but its largest goal is the transformation of a former Target store into a mixed-use project. | Dave Rosselle Executive Director 770-813-0882 [more information] |
Adaptive Reuse QCO: Efficient Land Use Community Improvement District (CID) QCO: Economic Prosperity |
| Hahira Urban Services Restrictions | The city restricts urban services to its city limits and does not allow development projects to be annexed into the city unless the proposed development could not be accommodated on vacant areas within the current city limits, and there is adequate public facility capacity available to support the annexation. | Strategic Public Infrastructure Policy QCO: Efficient Land Use |
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| Hall County Existing Industry Program | Hall County, Georgia has been described as "the poultry capital of the world" because of its large poultry industry cluster. However, in the 1980s and 1990s the county transitioned from a rural area into an affluent suburban area. Given this transition, the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce created an Existing Industry Program (EIP) in 1994. In a study of distinctive practices in 1999 by the Economic Development Institute, the chamber’s EIP was selected to be a case study. | Existing Industry Program (EIP) QCO: Economic Prosperity Tracking Business Needs QCO: Economic Prosperity |
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| Hall County/Gainesville Joint Water Rate Differential Study | The City of Gainesville and Hall County have been at odds over issues related to providing water and sewer services for many years. Negotiations that are required under the Service Delivery Strategy Act of 1997 (HB 489) and local civic pressure have triggered cooperative action to resolve these long-standing tensions. The elected officials in both governments represent the key stakeholders in the collaboration process. The city and county have signed three memoranda of understanding (MOUs) detailing the merger of the city's existing water system and the county's developing water system. Further, a rate differential study has been jointly undertaken, the outcome of which the communities have agreed to accept. In addition, the success in reaching agreement over the provision of water has led to discussions of cooperative arrangements between the city and county to address sewer services. | Tommy Furlow Director Public Utilities Department, City of Gainesville 770/538-2400 tfurlow@gainesville.org |
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| Hampton Impact Fees | The City of Hampton charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of water and sewer services to the new developments. | John Lewis 770-946-4306 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Harbour Point | Harbour Point is a large privately-owned residential community located on the shores of Lake Lanier. There are many steep sloping areas and the developer knew that they needed to include a community septic system in their plans. Each resident was responsible for the installation and maintenance of a 1500-gallon septic tank and a wastewater filter for their own unit. They also have a contract with a private management company for monthly monitoring and maintenence. The community utilizes a community cluster system. | [more information] |
Cluster Septic Systems QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Hardman Farm Preservation Effort Underway in White County | Fundraising is continuing for preservation of the historic Hardman Farm, located in the Nacoochee Valley of White County. The project is the focus of many preservation partners including The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, The Trust for Public Land, The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The North Georgia Community Foundation, the Hardman Family, and numerous individuals. The plan is to offer visitors a first-hand look and a better understanding of state history and the mountain region by visiting the Hardman Farm. The Farm property includes 173 acres of land, an Italianate farmhouse, and 20 buildings, whose history dates back to 1870. The property is located in the heart of the Nacoochee Valley. Governor Lamartine Hardman's family agreed to donate their farm and valley land to the State of Georgia on the condition that it be permanently protected and managed for educational purposes. | John Erbele 706-878-3087 |
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| Hartsfield Atlanta Airport Study | The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce has formed a partnership with Clayton and Fulton Counties to bring quality jobs to the communities around Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. The partners have retained the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to produce a development plan for the area. The ULI study will focus on the area located around Hartsfield in south Fulton and north Clayton counties. The major focus of the ULI study is a two mile wide corridor on either side of the proposed commuter rail line running from South Atlanta past the airport south to Morrow. The ULI study area also includes land outside the two mile wide rail corridor that may provide significant development opportunities. | Jim Durett VP Environmental Affairs MACOC 404-880-9000 |
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| Hartwell Plans Neighborhood Revitalization | The City of Hartwell is developing a comprehensive master plan for redevelopment of a blighted neighborhood area near the center of the city. The Georgia Mountains RDC is preparing an RFP for architect services, and the City is appointing a committee of stakeholders to provide input and review of the architects’ proposed project designs. | Larry Sparks Georgia Maountains RDC 706-376-4756 Lsparks@gmrdc.org |
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| Heard County Business Retention and Expansion | The Business Retention and Expansion Process (BREP) for Heard County was a joint effort by the local communities and the state, intended to assess the needs of local industries and determine how to generate economic growth. The report was completed in August 2004, under Donna Lackey, the Director of the Heard County Development Authority and Chamber, and Kathy Oxford, the Georgia Department of Economic Development Regional Project Manager. The BREP survey resulted in recommendations which should generate economic strategies for meeting the community's development needs. | Existing Industry Program (EIP) QCO: Economic Prosperity Tracking Business Needs QCO: Economic Prosperity |
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| Henry County Unified Development Code | Henry County plans to streamline its subdivision regulations and zoning ordinances into a single land development code. The county is in the process of public workshops and meetings that will last through May 2004. | Julius Ross Chief Planner 770-954-2457 jross@co.henry.ga.us [more information] |
Flexible Subdivision Regulations QCO: Sense of Place |
| Highway 78 Community Improvement District | The Highway 78 Community Improvement District (CID) works to improve a 7-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 78 in Gwinnett County. Their efforts include transportation improvements, additional landscaping, and bettering the overall image of the corridor. The CID was created in 2003, amid concerns of how a median would be properly created (replacing "suicide lanes") for Highway 78. Most CID's are focused on a nodal area such as an edge city or old downtown; the Highway 78 CID is rather unusual in concentrating on a commercial corridor. | Brett Harrell Executive Director 770-979-5800 [more information] |
Community Improvement District (CID) QCO: Economic Prosperity Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place |
| Historic Downtown Braselton | The Braselton downtown area is listed in the state and national register of historic places. The town has experienced rapid growth and development over the past several years but its historic area remains blighted, and private investment/business growth in this area has been nonexistent. U.G.A. professor Pratt Cassidy studied the historic downtown area, recommending guidelines for various types of infill development. The Town of Braselton plans to create an Historic Overlay zoning district, a tree protection ordinance, and a Downtown Development Authority to begin investment and revitalization in this most unique area of town. | Jennifer Scott City of Braselton 706-654-3915 jscott@braselton.net |
Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Historic Overlay District-Walker County | This project is a result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. Walker County has created a historic overlay district around the park. This was part of an historic preservation effort in the county that included adopting a historic preservation ordinance and designating local districts throughout the county. It has encouraged cities within the county (like Chickamauga) to develop their own historic overlay districts. | Bebe Heiskell 706-638-1437 [more information] |
Adaptive Reuse QCO: Efficient Land Use Historic Preservation Program QCO: Sense of Place |
| Historic Preservation in Savannah | The preservation of Savannah's building stock can largely be credited to the Historic Savannah Foundation's Revolving Fund Program, which spearheading the movement among Savannah citizens to revitalize the downtown district. First envisioned and formed in 1959 by Lee Adler, it has been studied and copied by many cities. Over its 30-year history, Historic Savannah Foundation's Revolving Fund has saved more than 300 buildings. | Casey Grier Historic Savannah Foundation (912) 233-7787 info@historicsavannahfoundation.org [more information] |
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| Historic Rennovation in Blue Ridge | The Fannin County Industrial Development Authority received a low-interest loan from the Georgia Cities Foundation to assist in the acquisition and renovation of a historic building located in downtown Blue Ridge. The newly-renovated facility, known as Hampton Square, houses retail shops, offices, a restaurant, a 132-seat community theatre, and a processing facility for alpaca fibers. The Foundation, a non-profit subsidiary of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) provided a $179,000 loan for this project, contingent on an equal dollar commitment from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). | Carolyn Wills Director Fannin County Development Authority 706-632-4450 cjwills@fannindevelopment.com |
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| Historic Scottish Rite & Independent Communities | This project consists of the rehabilitation of the historic Scottish Rite Hospital, new housing for spinal injured independent living and new single family homes. This project has also rejuvenated a once desolate corner of a community in Decatur which is now thriving, Oakhurst. The historic site consists of 5.1 acres and contains several existing buildings: the main hospital building and two wings, a 1950’s vintage two-story “Health Center” building, and the Elizabeth Wilson Building (a small one-story renovated 1948 laundry facility). This property has undergone a significant transformation and the rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of the historic Scottish Rite and its two wings lies at the heart of this transformation. Designed by the noted Atlanta architect Neel Reid and built in 1919, this “Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children” was the first such facility built in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The main hospital building and the “West Wing” have been reconfigured as office space, while the East Wing will be the Community Center of South Decatur. Independent Communities consists of 14 units build for people who have suffered a spinal cord or traumatic brain injury. The Shepherd Center of Atlanta was awarded a HUD 811 grant to fund the construction costs of these units. Each unit has been designed with the help of patients from Shepherd Center to be fully accessible to the handicapped, and is designed in the Craftsman Bungalow style to reflect the overall design of the houses in this historic neighborhood. | Tom Dalia Architect Smith Dalia Architects, LLC 404-892-2443 |
Creative Design for Higher Density QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Improved Development Regulations for the City of Blue Ridge, Georgia | The implemented development regulations will maintain the community's character by improving the pattern, design, and aesthetics in the rapily growing area along State Route 515 (Appalachian Development Highway). | Larry Vanden Bosch Director Community and Economic Development Services - North Georgia Regional Development Center 706-272-2300 dceds@ngrdc.org [more information] |
Aesthetic Overlay QCO: Sense of Place Alternatives to Conventional Zoning (DCA Model Code) QCO: Local Preparedness Design Guidelines QCO: Sense of Place Flexible Street Design Standards QCO: Transportation Options Flexible Subdivision Regulations QCO: Sense of Place Hillside & Ridgeline Protection QCO: Resource Management Landscaping Ordinance QCO: Sense of Place Planned Unit Developments QCO: Efficient Land Use Smart Growth Audit QCO: Local Preparedness Subdivision Development Standards QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Jesup/Wayne County Recycling Center | With the help of local leadership, multi-jurisdictional coordination, and grants the City of Jesup partnered with Wayne County to create a successful recycling center that now serves Wayne and neighboring counties. | Mike Deal City Manager P.O. Box 427, Jesup, Georgia 912-427-1313 jesupga@bellsouth.net [more information] |
Grants for Financing Infrastructure Improvements QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Joann Lewis Park-Dalton-Whitfield | This project is a result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. Joann Lewis Park has been targeted for upgrade and expansion. Streetscape design for the road will be part of the overall plan. A team from Athens came in and involved area residents in the plan design. Prior to the team visit, a Survey composed in Spanish concerning current park usage was distributed to area Latino businesses. | Gaile Jennings 706-281-4804 [more information] |
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| Joint Infrastructure Development in Whitfield County and the City of Dalton | The City of Dalton and Whitfield County appointed the joint ASSET (Appointed Sewer Service Expansion) Committee focusing sewer infrastructure expansion to increase economic development opportunities that will add growth to the tax digest and spur development of workforce housing. An element of the expansion process is a Watershed Assessment that is currently underway by Dalton Utilities. The ASSET Committee has been working with local governments to create a non-profit Community Housing Development Organization. The City and County jointly share the administrative costs. The same personnel will also coordinate City and County Quality Growth and special projects. Training for the potential Board of Directors of this non-profit organization took place on January 29th. The final sewer service delivery contract is pending. | Gaile Jennings Director Office of Workforce Housing and Quality Growth 706-281-4804 GJennings@whitfieldcountyga.com |
Septic System Regulation QCO: Resource Management |
| Jonesboro Livable Centers Initiative | The Jonesboro LCI study focused on strengthening historic downtown Jonesboro by encouraging diverse housing, employment and shopping with a balanced transportation system and increased pedestrian activity. This study builds on current main street activity and reaffirms downtown Jonesboro as the center of government, business, tourism and commercial activity for Clayton County. | Stacey Dickson Executive Director Clayton County Tourism Authority 770-478-4800 |
Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Keep South Fulton Beautiful, Inc. Cares for Trees at Industrial Park | Keep South Fulton Beautiful, Inc. develops, maintains, and enhances the tree resource within a 1.318 acre park in the Fulton County Industrial park, and provides opportunities for active and passive education of basic tree care principles and the value of trees for park users, business owners, and their employees. | Judith Noles Executive Director Keep South Fulton Beautiful, Inc. 770-306-3252 |
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| Kelly Plantation | Located in Henry County, Georgia, Kelly Plantation will be a large planned development on 222 acres of land. It will consist of a mixture of single-family houses, townhouses and apartments, for a total of about 1,300 units of housing. There will also be commercial or office uses on 20 acres, with about 150 apartments constructed above the commercial/office space. The complex will have sidewalks and bike lanes, and also pools, tennis courts, gazebos, ball fields and a clubhouse. As a DRI (development of regional impact), the project had to receive approval from GRTA. The developer and the county signed a development agreement in 2005, in which the developer agreed to the building of a certain amount of infrastructure (streets in particular) and the county agreed to rezone the property and approve the development. | Planning and Zoning Department, Henry County 770-954-2457 |
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| Laurens County's Business Retention and Expansion Process (BREP) | When Willie Paulk became president of the Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority in November 1990, she decided to get to know the businesses in the area. In 1991 Ms. Paulk embarked on a BREP (Business Retention and Expansion Process) survey, and has continued to conduct a BREP every other year. In a study of distinctive practices in 1999 by the Economic Development Institute, the chamber’s BREP survey process was selected to be a case study. | Existing Industry Program (EIP) QCO: Economic Prosperity Tracking Business Needs QCO: Economic Prosperity |
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| Lavonia Recognized by "America in Bloom" | Lavonia was recognized for their outstanding work in Heritage Conservation as an “America In Bloom” participant in 2002. Lavonia is the smallest city in the United States to participate in “America in Bloom,” a program to recognize community participation in projects involving beautification, heritage, and environmental awareness. Entries are judged on a municipality's success in meeting program objectives that aim to involve all levels of the community in urban beautification -- particularly emphasizing the variety and use of trees, shrubs and flowers, the appearance and upkeep of public and private green spaces and residential gardens, environmental awareness, and the care and protection of heritage buildings and sites. Lavonia will participate again in 2003 and city leadership and volunteers encourage other Georgia cities to get involved in “America in Bloom.” | Genny Cole Lavonia DDA 706-356-8781 |
Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place |
| Lindbergh City Center | Lindbergh City Center occupies 51 acres surrounding MARTA's Lindbergh subway and bus station. It comprises 4.8 million square feet of development: 2.7 million square feet of office space, 330,000 square feet of retail space, 566 apartments, 388 condominiums, and a 190-room hotel. The master plan creates a mini-city of medium- and high-rise structures and decked parking grouped around a street grid centered on the MARTA station. This pedestrian-friendly street grid connects to the surrounding neighborhood and to Piedmont Road, a busy thoroughfare. The station is currently the second busiest on the MARTA system, accommodating 26,000 passengers a day. Parking requirements were reduced due to the presence of the station, shared parking between office and retail uses, and transportation demand management programs. MARTA also agreed to pay for the construction of sidewalks and traffic calming measures in adjacent neighborhoods. | Bill Fernandez Sr. Manager, System Transit Development MARTA 404-848-5828 |
Small Area Plans QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options Transportation Demand Management QCO: Transportation Options |
| Little City Development | The Little City Development is a traditional neighborhood development (TND), with a mixture of residential, commercial, retail and office space interconnected with parks and walkways. The development is expected to create 150 permanent jobs. | Joe Maltese Community Development Director City of LaGrange |
Planned Unit Developments QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Live, Work, Play - Snellville | A live, work, play revitalization project proposed of mixed uses near Snellville. The project will include 120 town homes, 33 small lots homes, 17 live work units and 168,400 square feet of office and commercial space. | Planned Unit Developments QCO: Efficient Land Use |
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| Local artists preserving the past | The City of Dillard is working to create a cultural center in the former Dillard Community School and Cannery buildings. Both buildings are in the process of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cannery was constructed in 1935 with the assistance of the WPA and was used as a lunchroom for the school until 1942. For generations, members of the community gathered not only to preserve the fruits and vegetables grown locally, but also to share their knowledge and build relationships. It is hoped that the old Dillard School Arts and Cultural Center will become a center of activity for tourists and residents of the region. | Jimmy Deal Dillard City Hall 706-746-5891 |
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| Locust Grove Impact Fees | The City of Locust Grove charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of water and sewer services to the new developments. | Francis Ward 770-957-5043 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Lugthart Conservation Easement-Dalton-Whitfield | This project is a result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. Gretchen & John Lugthart placed a permanent conservation easement for 1.4 acres contiguous to Mill Creek. This is the first local stream bank preservation planned for use of greenspace funds. | Gaile Jennings 706-281-4804 [more information] |
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| Lula Lake and Rock Creek Watershed Protection | The Lula Lake Land Trust, created by the will of Robert Davenport in 1994, works to preserve the natural resources in the Rock Creek watershed and Lula Lake area. This region spans both Dade and Walker counties. Robert Davenport purchased large amounts of land through the 1960s and 1970s, and by the time of his death he owned over 1,200 acres around Lula Lake. Since that time the Lula Lake Land Trust has increased the protected area to over 4,000 acres. There is one federally threatened plant, Virginia Spirea (Spiraea virginiana), that is found in this protected area. | [more information] |
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| Lumpkin County adopts land use management | Lumpkin County residents voted in the November election to pursue establishing local land use controls. The vote was due in large part to the leadership of Sole Commissioner Steve Gooch, as well as many residents who led and participated in citizen committee meetings and public forums over the past two years. These forums identified citizen concerns and examined the county’s options which include a traditional zoning approach or a more progressive method of establishing “compatibility” or “performance” standards to encourage mixed use development without sprawl. The citizens have identified preservation of Lumpkin County’s agricultural character and greenspace as a primary element of land use planning. The county contracted with Ross and Associates to help them achieve their land use management goals. | Steve Gooch Commissioner Lumpkin County (706) 864-3742 commissioner@lumpkincounty.gov |
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| Lyons' Hometown Heroes | This program seeks greater student involvement in the community. Seven classes did everything from paint murals, to design and implement several streetscape projects, to general clean up, to the production of publications for Lyons database, designed banners and maintained Christmas decorations. Projects for next year include park design, the creation of a website, and formulation of a marketing campaign. | Joy Lewis Better Hometown Manager City of Lyons 912-526-6447 bhtlyons@cybersouth.com |
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| Lyons Renovates Downtown Buildings | Two buildings located in downtown Lyons changed hands and the new owner has scheduled renovations for the buildings. Through the years, the buildings have been utilized as a restaurant, hardware store, sewing machine repair shop and other uses. The Lyons Better Hometown Program negotiated the purchase of the two buildings and has, in turn, leased the buildings to Clint Williams, a local citizen. Mr. Williams plans to clean the inside of the two buildings, install a new metal roof, and renovate the interiors of the two buildings. Work has begun on the initial clean up. Mr. Williams is considering several uses for the buildings, one of which may include art-related activities. Mr. Williams has also renovated the old Brice (Pal) Theatre back to its grandeur. The theatre hosts local performers and can also be utilized a meeting facility with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment. Adjacent to the theatre sits a small coffee shop which once functioned as a dentist office and apartment many years ago. With recent renovations, it is a meeting place for local residents for morning coffee or Saturday night music gatherings. The Robert Toombs Hotel is also getting a face-lift through the efforts of a local citizen with help from the BHT Board. The hotel will house several shops and in the future may provide downtown apartments for residents. | Joy Lewis Better Hometown Manager City of Lyons 912-526-6445 bhtlyons@cybersouth.com |
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| Macon Housing Authority First-Time Homebuyer Program | Since 1994 the Macon Housing Authority (MDA) has been responsible for 480 families becoming first time homeowners through homeownership programs. MHA has successfully proven that inner-city new construction is possible when in combination with successful neighborhood redevelopment. In-Fill Housing, Inc. was created as MHA’s non-profit development entity and is committed to building new inner-city houses for first time homeowners. | Macon Housing Authority Homeownership Program 478-752-5070 |
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| Macon Impact Fees | The City of Macon charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure that will be needed to serve the new developments. | Vernon Ryles 478-751-7460 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Macon Tree Ordinance | Tree Ordinanaces are becoming more poplular in Middle Georgia because increased development is diminishing their tree canopy. | [more information] |
Heat Mitigation QCO: Resource Management Landscaping Ordinance QCO: Sense of Place |
| Macon's Brownfields Revitalization Project | Macon's Brownfields Revitalization Project is engaged in the clean-up and remediation of many formerly industrial sites in the city's Downtown Industrial District (DID). This area was once home to railroads, factories and mills; some of its sites are known to be contaminated, and others are believed to be. The city was awarded a $200,000 grant, from the Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields Initiative, to carry out contamination assessment and feasibility studies on five sites in the DID. | [more information] |
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| Madison County Paves Way for Conservation Subdivisions | The Madison County Board of Commussioners approved a zoning ordinance amendment allowing conservation subdivision developments in the county. County citizens supported this action as it is intended to maintain the rural character and natural beauty of the county. | Kim Butler Zoning Administrator Madison County 706-795-5375 |
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| Magnolia Circle Apartments | Magnolia Circle Apartments is an affordable housing option for DeKalb County seniors 62 and older. The $7.9 million development consists of 84 one-bedroom and two-bedroom ground-level apartments, with 80% leased as affordable units and 20% leased at market rate. Residents have access to a community building with a fitness center and activity room, community garden, and Georgia's first multifamily property Wildlife Preserve-Bird Sanctuary. It is also the first EarthCraft certified multifamily property in the country, in recognition of its environmentally-friendly design and construction. | Jane Massey Community Initiatives Coordinator-Housing Finance Division 770-631-9292 jmassey@dca.state.ga.us [more information] |
Green Buildings QCO: Resource Management Housing for the Elderly QCO: Housing Options Mixed-Income Housing QCO: Housing Options |
| Marietta Licenses Rental Owners | By December 31, 2004, all of the City of Marietta's rental units must be inspected and landlords must have obtained licenses to rent their properties. Marietta City Council members passed the ordinance establishing the inspection program and licensing of landlords because of the increasing number of unsightly rental houses and apartments around the city. Rental units account for 65 percent of Marietta's housing. All rental properties must be inspected and be in compliance with a set of health, safety and quality of life standards set by the city. Those standards cover such areas as plumbing, electrical, heating and ventilation, fire safety and building integrity. Since state law prohibits cities from using city staff inspectors for a rental-licensing program, Marietta's ordinance has been written to utilize independent inspectors. | Judy Garrett Manager City of Marietta Code Enforcement 770-794-5439 jgarrett@mariettaga.gov |
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| Marietta Sign Ordinance | The City Council passed an ordinance that will force almost every business in Marietta to replace its sign within the next nine years. The ordinance mandates that all signs mounted on a pole be replaced with a monument-based sign, which sits on the ground. The ordinance also deems that the maximum height and square footage of each sign be reduced. Depending on the value of each sign, business owners will have anywhere from five to nine years to make the necessary changes to comply with the new ordinance. The new ordinance prohibits neon signs, electronic message boards and abandoned and dilapidated signs. The ordinance also demands that the maximum height of most free-standing signs be cut in half. The purpose of the ordinance is to reduce the amount of "visual clutter" in the city while promoting architectural style and historic character. The monument-based signs also improve the ambiance by creating a more pedestrian-scaled environment. | [more information] |
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| Maximum Block Length and Width for Flowery Branch | As of May 2006, the City of Flowery Branch is considering a TND overlay district in which maximum block lengths and widths will be imposed for new subdivisions. A draft ordinance for this TND district has been created, in which the maximum block length or width is specified to be 800 feet. Mid-block alleys or pedestrian footpaths are permitted to satisfy this requirement. | [more information] |
Improving Street Connectivity QCO: Transportation Options |
| McDonough Impact Fees | The City of McDonough charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of parks and recreation, police and fire protection that will be needed to serve the new developments. | Rodney Heard 770-898-3507 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| McMillan Creek Greenway | The McMillan Creek Greenway project is a 2.5 mile in-town greenway in Jesup, Georgia. The project began in 2000 in hopes of improving recreational opportunities, alternative transportation options, and surrounding natural resources. The project is expected to take 10 years to complete and the City of Jesup believes it will improve their overall quality of life. | Crystal Gill Gill Downtown Director, City of Jesup P.O. Box 427, Jesup, Georgia 31598 912-427-1313 [more information] |
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| McMillan Creek Greenway | The McMillan Creek Greenway will run through the City of Jesup, in Wayne County. The creek has been channelized over the years, and the project will restore it to its natural ecosystem. The primary purposes are to provide a scenic recreational area, to encourage walking within the community, and to reduce pollution from runoff. There will be a "people trail," for walking, jogging, bicycling and roller-blading, along one side, and an equestrian trail along the other. The paths will allow children in several neighborhoods to walk to school more easily. Better access to fishing will also be created. | Riparian Buffers QCO: Resource Management |
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| Mixed-Use Princeton Village in College Park | College Park's Mayor and Council approved a contract for the development of Princeton Village, a mixed-use residential project proposed by Enterprise Construction. This adaptive reuse of a 1927, neo-classical school building is the focal point of a revitalized neighborhood. The plans accommodate a total of 266 units (single family, townhome, assisted living/independent care) plus office-professional, retail, hotel, and light commercial structures surrounded by parks and trails. | Jessica Guinn City Planner City of College Park 404-684-7031 |
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| Monarch Village TND in Stockbridge | Monarch Village comprises approximately 800 homes, a commercial "Town Square," and an elementary school, together with parks and recreational open space, on a master-planned site of 380 acres. The project, made possible by a zoning amendment, combines TND and conventional subdivision design, limiting the proportion of "TND lots" to 50% of the total. The residential areas are connected to the commercial town square by a street designed for travel by foot and bicycle as well as car. Park space is well distributed throughout the site. Putting apartments over shops and offices provides for a more energetic public space, and for better security through "eyes on the street." School circulation is conveniently integrated into the overall system. One negative point, however, is that there is only one main access route serving the whole development, creating the possibility for congestion. (A secondary connection is provided to the school entrance, but this serves few residents.) There is also only one potential connection to future development on adjacent sites, which limits connectivity to the community's street system. | Planned Unit Developments QCO: Efficient Land Use |
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| Mulberry Street Market, Downtown Macon | In the spring of 2009, the City of Macon began the City Market on the Green as a weekly initiative of the City of Macon to encourage economic development, encourage healthy lifestyles and healthy eating, and create a sense of community in downtown Macon. It became obvious that there was a for a market in a more highly populated area, so, in April 2011, the City Market on the Green was moved from Saturday mornings to Wednesday afternoons, and the location changed from Poplar Street to the more heavily traveled Mulberry Street and renamed Mulberry Street Market. It is now coordinated by Community Health Works, with the strong support of both the City of Macon and Macon Main Street. The Mulberry Street Market is a producer-only market operated each Wednesday from 4-7 pm, giving access to fresh produce (seasonal offerings), meats, dairy, etc. provided by local farmers. The project received the attention of several local small producers who were unable to expand their production due to a lack of storefront for their product. It provided them access to a market for their goods. An added benefit is that residents of downtown Macon have a market available to them that is walkable. Community Health Works also operates a “veggie van” out of an out-of-service ambulance. The van is named PEPPER, which stands for People Everywhere Picking Produce to Eat Right, and has been used to promote and provide fresh produce in neighborhoods across Macon. It is being repurposed as a Mulberry Mobile Market to help develop an online market as well as working with senior housing to make the farmers market more accessible. | Business Incubator QCO: Economic Prosperity Downtown Program QCO: Economic Prosperity Economic Development Strategy QCO: Economic Prosperity Preserve Agriculture Land Use QCO: Efficient Land Use Transportation to Services QCO: Community Health |
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| Nature Conservancy and Forest Company work to preserve Northwest Gerogia Mountains | The Nature Conservancy and Temple-Inland Forest Product Corporation (based in Texas) placed the company's 929 acres in Floyd County under a conservation easement, so as to protect the best mountain land in Georgia's northwestern sector. This mountain area is threatened by downward sprawl from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and upward sprawl from Atlanta. | Christine Griffiths Outreach The Nature Conservancy Georgia Field Office 404-873-6946 cgriffiths@tnc.org [more information] |
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| New Hope Church Battlefield Preservation | The Battle of New Hope Church, in what is now Paulding County, was one of the battles of the Atlanta Campaign, as General Sherman's Union forces did battle with General Johnston's Confederate forces. A total of about 2,400 soldiers were killed in the battle, which occured on May 25, 1864. The Confederates were generally able to defend their positions, but nevertheless were gradually forced to retreat in the face of superior Union numbers, as Sherman moved inexorably closer to Atlanta. The Civil War Preservation Trust, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., has preserved 19 acres to protect the site. | The Civil War Preservation Trust 202-367-1861 info@civilwar.org [more information] |
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| Newborn Forestry Education | Project will include an education program for all members of the community in basic tree care, establishment of a Junior Tree Board, professional management and education coordination by an urban forestry consultant, and the establishment of a tree memorial program. | Sally Chamberlain 770-786-8360 |
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| Norfolk Southern Depot Renovation | The City of Dalton received a Local Development Fund Grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to restore the old Norfolk Southern Depot. The grant money will be utilized to reroof and stabilize the structure. The City is currently looking for appropriate tenants for this facility, which would be restored utilizing a transportation theme. The current Dalton-Whitfield Leadership class has recommended that the Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Dalton Development Authority share this facility for their operations. A train-viewing tower will be constructed to capture that particular market’s tourism potential while also capitalizing on the transportation theme. | Gaile Jennings Director Office of Workforce Housing and Quality Growth 706-281-4804 GJennings@whitfieldcountyga.com |
Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Northwest Georgia Growth Management Initiative | Recognizing that Northwest Georgia is one of the fastest growing urban populations in the state, the Region One Advisory Council (RAC) identified growth management as one of the three main issues facing the region. Emphasizing communication and consensus building, they created the Northwest Georgia Growth Management Initiative to develop a regional growth management strategy. The objective is to have businesses, governments, organizations, and residents throughout the region embrace a common regional vision and strategy for managing growth. After completing the strategy in 2001, the RAC has focused its attention on implementation and training. In order to test the new strategy, one-on-one assistance was provided to Chattooga and Pickens Counties. The RAC also developed and presented a workshop on Wastewater Treatment for Conservation Subdivisions. Since the curriculum is already developed, this training can be easily and affordably repeated in other regions of the state. During the grant period, the Council became aware that local planning commission members receive no formal training when they are appointed to their positions. Region One staff has been working with other quality growth contacts around the state to develop a training session that can be held in Region One as well as other regions of the state. The RAC is also in the process of developing a plan for mini-grants to assist with quality growth implementation projects from Region One local governments and development authorities. | Leamon Scott Regional Representative DCA Region 1 706-802-5490 lscott@dca.state.ga.us [more information] |
Flexible Subdivision Regulations QCO: Sense of Place Strategic Public Infrastructure Policy QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Oak Grove Development | Oak Grove is a development just outside Athens on Jefferson Road that was built with the existing land contours and many trees. Each home is different in size and style, and they are built in clusters and around common areas rather than square to the street on identical lots. Twenty acres of open pasture has been permanently preserved between the homes and the highway. | [more information] |
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| Orange Shoals Greenbelt Community | This developer took a unique approach. He bought 350 acres, and thought it was too beautiful to subdivide into little pieces and pack with houses. So he developed a new design concept that involves an integrated greenbelt: a contiguous 100-acre tract that less than 300 homes will back up to. This allows every homeowner to share a 100-acre backyard and walk anywhere in the neighborhood without crossing a road, and it also has clear advantages for wildlife. The development is the first in Georgia to be certified by the National Wildlife Federation. | [more information] |
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| Parkway Village Design District Overlay | In 1992 the City of Roswell enacted a Parkway Village Design District overlay up to 1000 feet in depth along the Crossville to Woodstock Road Corridor with the purpose of capturing and preserving the authentic rural landscape and 19th century local building tradition before it was undermined by development pressure. The goal is to recognize the effects of the Highway 92 road widening spanning six miles from Holcomb Bridge Road west to the Cobb County line. Parkway Village was established to provide property owners along Highway 92 with an opportunity to develop their property, while simultaneously providing large buffers and setbacks for those abutting the properties along the roadway. This cohesive development plan is intended to discourage piecemeal zoning. The overlay district allows mixed uses and provides an overlay of design requirements with optional bonus incentives. The illustrated guidelines also provide for retrofit and in-fill. The Planning and Zoning Administrator may approve bonuses in order to recognize exceptional design features. | Susan Canon Planner City of Roswell 770-641-3780 scanon@ci.roswell.ga.us |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place |
| Peachtree City Livable Center Initiative | Through Livable Center Initiatives (LCI), ARC will invest $5 million over the next four years to fund "smart growth" studies around Atlanta. Beginning in 2003, ARC will contribute $350 million to help implement the various study projects. Peachtree City will develop a study for the State Route 54 highway corridor at the intersection of State Route 74 west of the city. The study will determine how to meet the LCI goals in a corridor that is experiencing highway oriented growth and integrate with the existing town center area. | David Rast Planning Department 770-487-5731 |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Peachtree City Multi Use Path System | An 80-mile system of paths runs throughout Peachtree City, and it has become a major transportation alternative. They are especially used by golf carts, and in fact the city has approximately one golf cart per household! The system was developed in the 1960's, when the city was planned and its first subdivisions built, and has been constantly extended since that time. Since the paths were originally placed above the sewer system right-of-ways, they tend to be straight and thus more efficient. They provide greater mobility for all residents, but especially those who live on dead ends and cul-de-sacs. | Planning Department 770-487-5731 [more information] |
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| Peachtree Villages in Jonesboro | Peachtree Villages is a residential project of 107 townhomes on 17 acres that provides affordable workforce housing in Jonesboro, Georgia. The townhomes are in two, three and four-bedroom designs, with prices from $111,000 to $122,000, and thus are reasonably affordable to the local workforce. They have been purchased by teachers, medical technicians, day care workers, truck drivers and retail salespeople. The project was one of five honored in 2006 by the National Association of Home Builders with an Innovation in Workforce Housing Award. | [more information] |
Workforce Housing QCO: Housing Options |
| People Looking Ahead Now (PLAN) | People Looking Ahead Now (PLAN) is the local grassroots organization in the City of Gray and Jones County. It was formed in 1997 and is a way for everyday citizens to become involved in guiding their county's future growth and development. PLAN has brought about many changes, including buffer ordinances and a new streetscape in downtown. A retreat is held annually to identify specific issues to focus on during the year. | Downtown Planning QCO: Sense of Place Economic Development Strategy QCO: Economic Prosperity Riparian Buffers QCO: Resource Management |
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| Perimeter Community Improvement Districts | The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (PCIDs) consist of the Fulton Perimeter CID and the DeKalb Perimeter CID. The PCIDs represent business and property owners in the area around Perimeter Mall, a major upscale office and commercial "edge city" at the intersection of GA 400 and I-285 north of Atlanta, stretching into both Fulton and DeKalb counties. The PCIDs have primarily focused on transportation issues, both to improve the flow of traffic and to make the area more pedestrian-friendly. | Donna Morgan Marketing and Communications Director 770-390-1780 [more information] |
Community Improvement District (CID) QCO: Economic Prosperity |
| Pervious Paving in Savannah | The City of Savannah began using pervious paving to protect trees that are hundreds of years old. They chose pervious concrete paving around these trees, since it lets water and air get to the roots. Developers in Savannah have also utilized pervious concrete to comply with local regulations for stormwater. To enable a Wal-Mart Superstore to build next to protected wetlands, pervious concrete was part of the stormwater management system. Designers used new scrubs and trees, detention structures, and pervious concrete paving on all outlying parking areas. It is the first Wal-Mart Superstore in the U.S. with pervious concrete. | Pervious Paving QCO: Resource Management Stormwater Management QCO: Resource Management |
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| Phoenix High School | In Gwinnett County, a former strip mall shopping center was converted into the Phoenix High School. The warehouse-style facilities occupied by the previous anchor tenant, as well as the smaller retail spaces, were refurbished into a 95,000 s.f. facility for 1,000 students, with room to expand. The rehabilitation of an existing site not only saved time (new construction would have taken an additional two years), but also saved the public $2 million in additional costs that would have been required to build a new school from the ground up. | Adaptive Reuse QCO: Efficient Land Use |
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| Pig Jig Enhancement-City of Vienna | This project is a result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. The Chamber of Commerce obtained $15,000 through Empowerment Zone initiative for beautification of the area. Some projects taking place are as follows: paint roof of judging stage, plant more trees, create brick "Cook's Walk" and add compatible ticket kiosks, schedule regular events in outdoor marketplace, and leave surrounding grassy parking areas. The Chamber has all addressed the idea of building a new outdoor festival marketplace. | Sherry Evans 229-268-4920 skevans@sowega.net |
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| Planned Unit Development in Columbia County | The County’s PUD (planned unit development) designation allows greater flexibility and more creative design than is possible in other county zoning districts. There is a wider variety of housing choices, a higher level of amenities, and the preservation of natural qualities of open spaces within the PUD district. Protected areas within the PUD must be consistent with the comprehensive plan. The PUD designation is allowed only in areas where public water and sewer services are available. | Columbia County Planning and Development Services Department 607-868-3401 |
Planned Unit Developments QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Port Wentworth Goes to Building Type Zoning | Heavy commercial traffic and development pressure has transformed Port Wentworth’s main street into a major transportation corridor. While traffic has increased, more and more adjacent land has become vacant. To redevelop the town center, the community created a Master Plan using building type zoning with ten street classifications, ranging from lane to boulevard to frontage street. Building type must be compatible with street type, but the building use is largely up to the owner. | Phillip Claxton City Administrator City of Port Wentworth 912-964-4379 pwcityhall@aol.com |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity |
| Problem Solving Excellence in Lyons | Downtown Lyons had been in decline for many years as unsuccessful merchants closed their doors, longtime retail operators died, and businesses looking for newer buildings outside the downtown district relocated. Owners of the unoccupied, neglected properties became discouraged and uninterested in investing in property improvements. Lyons Better Hometown took interest in these highly visible properties, and devised a way to bring new interest to the properties. They organized as a 501(c)3 corporation, and managed to get several property owners to donate part or all of their property. Acting as an intermediary, Lyons Better Hometown negotiated property transfers through a triple lease that mandated extensive improvements by the tenants. The program resulted in increased occupancy rates, commercial activity, retail traffic, and a more attractive downtown. | Joy Lewis Better Hometown Manager City of Lyons 912-526-6446 bhtlyons@cybersouth.com |
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| Project ATLANTA | Project ATLANTA (ATlanta Land-use ANalysis: Temperature and Air-quality) seeks to observe, measure, model, and analyze how the rapid growth of the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area since the early 1970's has impacted the region's climate and air quality. The primary objectives for this research effort are: 1) To investigate and model the relationship between Atlanta urban growth, land cover change, and the development of the urban heat island phenomenon through time at nested spatial scales from local to regional; 2) To investigate and model the relationship between Atlanta urban growth and land cover change on air quality through time at nested spatial scales from local to regional; and 3) To model the overall effects of urban development on surface energy budget characteristics across the Atlanta urban landscape through time at nested spatial scales from local to regional. | [more information] |
Heat Mitigation QCO: Resource Management |
| Property Acquisition for Neighborhood Revitalization Model-2004 Magnolia Award Winner | Entering an agreement in which the Macon-Bibb County Land Bank Authority (LBA) serves as the Macon Housing Authority's (MHA)agent for property acquisition matters gave the two agencies the ability to partner with other organizations for extensive inner-city neighborhood redevelopment. The new agreement allowed MHA to make full use of its eminent domain powers and purchase property in critical areas. | Jane Massey Community Initiatives Coordinator-Housing Finance Division 770-631-9292 jmassey@dca.state.ga.us [more information] |
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| Protecting Grover Island | Located in Camden County, Grover Island is a valuable natural area of about 500 acres, a habitat for bird life and the location of a mature maritime forest. It was arguably the first American public land set aside for protection--in 1799 President John Adams designated it as a preserve for live oak timber, which at the time was highly valued for use by shipbuilders. In 1926, with shipbuilding technology having changed, the government sold the island. The island's current owner, a development company, seeks to connect it to the mainland with a bridge and create a gated community with a golf course. The Camden County Land Trust is working with other organizations in an attempt to protect this important resource. | [more information] |
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| Protecting the Red Hills | The Red Hills area of north Florida and southwest Georgia is an ecologically valuable region that contains some of the last longleaf pine forests. The area also serves as some of the highest recharge lands of the Floridan Aquifer. The Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, based in Tallahassee, Florida, seeks to conserve the ecological and historic resources of the area and protect its longstanding rural lifestyle. The overall mission of Tall Timbers is to foster exemplary land stewardship through research, conservation and education. Tall Timbers and several partner organizations have used conservation easements to protect approximately 100,000 acres. In Georgia these lands are primarily in Thomas County, though some are in Grady County. | Kevin McGorty 850-893-4153 [more information] |
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| Protection of St. Simons Island | The St. Simons Land Trust has been able to preserve 72 acres of land on St. Simons Island, in Glynn County. Most of this land is owned by the trust, but some is protected through easements, and the trust maintains and inspects the properties to keep them in their preserved condition. Formed in 2000, the trust works with the county government, and with local landowners and residents. | St. Simons Land Trust 912-638-9109 [more information] |
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| Rebuilding Together Macon | Rebuilding Together Macon, Inc., is a nonprofit that carries out repairs on the homes of elderly and disabled low-income residents. The group is active year-round, but its largest project occurs on the last Saturday in April, known as National Rebuilding Day--or more informally as Christmas in April--when volunteers come together to fix up about 100 dilapidated homes. Over the years the group has carried out home repairs with a market value of over $3 million. | 478-744-9808 [more information] |
Housing for the Elderly QCO: Housing Options |
| Recommendations for a Strategic Plan for Economic Development for Tattnall County, Georgia | This survey of local community leaders covered many topics relating to economic development including strengths and weaknesses, the effectiveness of existing economic development process, local financial and entrepreneurial activity, the advantages and challenges to the tourism industry, how well the needs of existing industry are being served, and many more. | [more information] |
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| Resaca Battlefield Preservation | The Civil War Preservation Trust, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., has purchased 565 acres to protect the location (in Resaca, Gordon County) of the first major battle of the Atlanta Campaign. A total of about 12,000 soldiers were killed in the battle, which occured on May 14-15, 1864, and the Confederate forces were forced to retreat--otherwise they would have been surrounded. The State of Georgia is currently working to convert the site into a state park. | The Civil War Preservation Trust 202-367-1861 info@civilwar.org [more information] |
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| Restored Riparian Buffer Study for Tifton | A 9-year study done by Agricultural Research Service scientists, scientists at UGA, and Ecologist Richard Lowrance of the ARS Southeast Watershed Research Unit determined that restored conservation buffer zones in wetlands next to agricultural fields reduces the amount of nitrogen (by at least 60%) and the amount of phosphorus (by at least 65%) that reach streams that eventually lead to larger surface waters. They have found a restored three-zone buffer to be the most effective. (Zone 3: grassy edge that sits next to the field / Zone 2: managed forest buffer situated farther from the field / Zone 1: permanent forest along the stream) | [more information] |
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| Revitalization and Development in Downtown Roberta | The city has created a 5 1/2 acre park with a walking trail. The park includes benches, lamp posts, a fountain, and a gazebo. The city has also purchased land to erect a monument/memorial to soldiers killed in war. Two major downtown projects include the recycling center and civic center. These buildings will also serve as public meeting facilities. Several buildings in the downtown were restored including a drug store, Al's store, and Bankstons. Paved parking was also added. Two other projects currently underway are the Depot and the Caboose. The Depot is a replica of one that burned in 1950, and will house the chamber office and public bathrooms. The caboose was donated, and they hope to add a museum. | Joanne Hamlin Director of Keep Roberta Beautiful 478-836-4140 |
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| Revitalization/Renovation in Walker County | This project is a result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. The Marsh House has been renovated and was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places. They have found two of the original bedroom suites and have received a lot of support from the orginal owners. They have also renovated John B. Gordon hall and have turned an old Long John Silvers into an historic preservation office. They have also recommended that a family center replace the old Kmart that went out of business and was sold. | Bebe Heiskell 706-638-1437 [more information] |
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| Ridenour in Kennesaw | Ridenour is a mixed use development that was developed in partnership with an environmental group. Ridenour's town center, designed around a three block main street and town square, has the intensity of an urban core. Buildings around the central square are four and five stories high. They include 499,000 sq. ft. of office, 111,000 sq. ft. of retail, a civic building, a hotel, 50 apartments above retail, and condominiums. Outside of the town center will consist of parks with walking and bicycle trails as well as single homes and stand alone apartments. | Steve Macauley 770-951-8141 |
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| Rivermoore Park | 353-acre development where 20 to 25 percent of the land will be devoted to natural areas, including numerous parks and recreation areas. In addition to approx 550 home lots, plans for the community include features such as an 80-acre meadow, sidewalks, a 30-foot-tall dove cote, over 200 birdhouses, street trees, landscaping with native plants, and nature trails. | [more information] |
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| Riverwalk Park-City of Dublin | This project is a result of the 2001 City of Dublin resource team visit and team recommendations. Designs and plans for expansion of the existing Riverwalk Park have been completed and prepared for bidding. The expansion will create a dramatic gateway into Downtown Dublin, plus provide amenities that can be accessed from the Southside Community. | Deborah Stanley Grants Coordinator-City of Dublin 478-296-1010 stanleyd@dlcga.com [more information] |
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| Roberta Takes "Ultimate Journey" in Environmental Ed | Creating an outdoor classroom setting, participants and volunteers will plant and maintain trees, shrubs, vegetables and wildflowers. Professional and trained staff of the Boys & Girls Club will implement a year round curriculum designed to teach the youth the extreme importance of urban and community forestry as well as skills and techniques aimed at protecting the environment. | Glen Turner Executive Director 912-876-6485 |
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| Rockmart Streetscape | A downtown redevelopment project with mixed-use development. | Ronda Britt Director Georgia Department of Transportation 404-656-5267 |
Downtown Planning QCO: Sense of Place Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Rocky Face Ridge Trail | A future walking trail has been identified for Dalton/Whitfield County that will begin at Dug Gap Mountain Battle Park, which still has intact Civil War rifle pits to the Georgia State Patrol Barracks. Several private property owners have already agreed to donate the portion of their land where the trail is projected to cross. Tentative plans for this project include a scenic overlook along Dug Gap Battle Road that will cost approximately $147,000 to construct. Potential funding sources to assist with the construction of this overlook are currently being investigated. | Gaile Jennings Director Office of Workforce Housing and Quality Growth 706-281-4804 GJennings@whitfieldcountyga.com |
Environmental Resource Inventory QCO: Resource Management |
| Rocky Face Ridge-Dalton-Whitfield County | This project is the result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. The City of Dalton and Whitfield County agreed to combine their allocated greenspace monies for two years of funding to purchase 625 acres of North Rocky Face Ridge. These particular acres were the site of the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge and house the remnants of Civil War rifle pits and other artifacts from the era. This resulted in additional funding from the National Park Service as well as donations from private property owners. | Gaile Jennings 706-281-4804 [more information] |
Aesthetic Overlay QCO: Sense of Place Historic Preservation Program QCO: Sense of Place Landscaping Ordinance QCO: Sense of Place |
| Roswell Impact Fees | The City of Roswell charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of roads, bridges, parks and recreation, police and fire protection that will be needed to serve the new developments. | Kathy Field 770-594-6173 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Safe Routes Athens | The Clarke County School District and BikeAthens have teamed up to initiate a Safe Routes to School program for our public schools. This initiative, called Safe Routes Athens, started modestly but enthusiastically in 2005 at Barrow Elementary. Our hope is to be able to expand it to all Clarke County public schools over the coming years. | [more information] |
Safe Routes to School QCO: Transportation Options |
| Sandy Springs Livable Center Initiative | Through Livable Center Initiatives (LCI),The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) will invest $5 million over the next four years to fund "smart growth" studies around Atlanta. Beginning in 2003, ARC will contribute $350 million to help implement the various study projects. Sandy Springs is located in a highly developed area of Fulton County. The study will focus on implementing the LCI program with existing goals of Sandy Springs Revitalization of redevelopment of the community to an urban mixed-use village. Specific attention will be paid to design standards needed for a pedestrian scale community. | John Cheek Sandy Springs Revitalization, Inc. 404-252-9352 |
Creative Design for Higher Density QCO: Efficient Land Use Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Savannah Continuum of Care for the Homeless | The City of Savannah in collaboration with Chatham County established a comprehensive approach to better serve homeless persons by developing a coordinated plan of action to mobilize all independent efforts of 22 different homeless programs into one effort--to address the needs of targeted homeless populations. The all-inclusive approach encourages agencies to interact with one another in all matters of funding, program planning, and evaluation. Significant reduction in duplication of efforts, maximizes the use of existing resources. Since the program began, there has been a significant decrease in the number of homeless persons in Savannah, the city has devised effective strategies to meet needs of homeless, and there has been more efficient inter-agency coordination. | Craig Cashman Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless 912 790 3400 craig@HomelessAuthority.org |
Housing for the Disadvantaged QCO: Housing Options |
| Savannah Satellite Water Supply Systems | As the result of acquiring several unconnected private water suply systems in the 1960's, the City of Savannah is now the primary purveyor of water supply and wastewater services in Chatham County. It owns and operates eight systems, six of which are operated as satellite systems located outside of the city in Chatham County. The city’s purchase of satellite systems has helped to keep rates down for customer served by the satellite systems. The consolidation of the multiple water supply and wastewater systems under one management and operational entity has: (1) improved service delivery; (2) increased the assurance of delivery of safe drinking water; (3) reduced point sources of pollution through regional sewage treatment; (4) consolidated regulatory reporting requirements and compliance monitoring; and (5) increased environmental protection. | Harry Jue Bureau Chief Water and Sewer Operations 912-651-4241 |
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| Scenic Byway Project: Dalton-Whitfield | This project is the result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. Whitfield County partnered with Murray County and applied for Georgia Scenic Byway status for the Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway. Designated in September 2003, the route contains all six of the Intrinsic Qualities necessary to be given Georgia Scenic Byway Status. As a result of the designation, both Whitfield and Murray Counties have implemented a Corridor Management Plan. They established a Management Committee that established goals and a vision for the byway and prioritized action steps related to the Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan. They have completed an inventory that addresses specific points along the route such as buffering recommendations and zoning compliance issues. They also notified all property owners along the route and conducted several public meetings. | Gaile Jennings Workforce Housing & Quality Growth 706-281-4804 gjennings@whitfieldcountyga.com |
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| Senoia Impact Fees | The City of Senoia charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of parks and recreation, police and libraries that will be needed to serve the new developments. | Murray McAffee 770-599-3679 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Silver Comet Trail | The Silver Comet Trail, running for 60 miles from the City of Smyrna to the Alabama border, is the result of a "rails-to-trails" conversion. The trail passes through the counties of Cobb, Paulding and Polk, and at the Alabama border it connects to the Chief Ladiga Trail. The Silver Comet Trail is for bicyclists, joggers, walkers and roller bladers; no motorized vehicles are allowed. Since it runs on an abandoned railbed, the trail does not have any steep hills. Highlights include the Pumpkinvine Creek Trestle (a bridge 750 feet long and 126 feet high) and the Brushy Mountain Tunnel (800 feet long). The trail is easily accessible by many trailheads along its path. Primarily intended for recreational purposes, it is getting some use as a transit alternative as well. It is named after the Silver Comet train, which ran over this route as it traveled between Boston and Birmingham from 1947 to 1968. The trail is used by people from not just Georgia and Alabama but all over the U.S., and thus it has been an economic boost for the counties and cities that it runs through. | PATH Foundation 404-875-7284 [more information] |
Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Smyrna Market Village | The City of Smyrna has had a recent history of quality growth development with the development of the civic downtown buildings and the adjoining Market Village development. The City also received LCI assistance from the ARC to expand on the progress in the town center and surrounding area. | Christopher Miller Community Development Director 770-319-5387 |
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| South Rocky Face Ridge Trail-Dalton-Whitfield | This project is a result of a resource team visit and team recommendations. A future-walking trail has been identified for Dalton-Whitfield that will begin at Dug Gap Mountain Battle Park, which still has intact Civil War rifle pits to the Georgia State Patrol Barracks. Several private property owners have already agreed to donate a portion of their land where the trail is projected to cross. Plans include a scenic overlook at South Rocky Face Ridge Trail. | Gaile Jennings 706-281-4804 [more information] |
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| South Rossville Senior Village Apartments | This project is a strong example of implementing adaptive resuse to fulfill housing needs in a community. An abandoned elementary school was reclaimed and renovated to provide 60 one and two bedroom affordable rental units for the community's low and median income seniors. The development includes a community room, arts and crafts room, two libraries, exercise facilities, walking trails and a putting green. | Jane Massey Community Initiatives Coordinator-Housing Finance Division 770-631-9292 jmassey@dca.state.ga.us [more information] |
Adaptive Reuse QCO: Efficient Land Use |
| Southface Cottage Home Project | The Southface Housing Development Corporation has designed a cottage home for families whose income ranges from $8,500 to $18,000 a year. Ownership will run from $270 to $320 a month, including principal, interest, insurance and taxes. Low-cost homes are difficult enough to find in American cities; those that are also energy-efficient virtually do not exist. The EPA's Atlanta office is helping to fund a nonprofit developer who will build these houses. The first one has been completed, and eight more are planned this year. The Southface cottage home project will not only provide affordable housing to low-income families while conserving energy, but will also reduce the environmental effects usually associated with low-cost housing development. Savings on carbon dioxide emissions should average 10,000 to 15,000 pounds per year. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides emissions will also be at reduced levels. Smaller lot size will promote mass transit, reduce automobile travel, and help stem urban sprawl. | Polly Sattler Southface Energy Institute 404-872-3549 |
Green Buildings QCO: Resource Management |
| Spalding Walking Trail Resurfaced with Old Tires | The Spalding County Parks and Recreation Department has upgraded a popular recreation area using recycled tires. Previously, parents whose children practiced on soccer and softball fields at the Airport Road Park walked or jogged on an old gravel track. The new trail features a crumb rubber mixed with urethane and will be virtually maintenance-free, providing a level, shock-absorbing surface conducive to walking and running. The project used approximately 7,000 old tires. Since the project’s completion, park usage has picked up. Funding sources include SPLOST, Georgia DNR, EPD Division. | Louis Greene |
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| Spruce Up Henry Campaign | The Henry Council for Quality Growth, Henry County Chamber of Commerce, the county and cities are sponsoring the "Spruce Up Henry Campaign" as a way to foster community and neighborhood pride through visual improvements. The Council for Quality Growth is providing prizes of up to $1,500 for homeowners, and $1,000 for winning subdivisions and strip malls. Some local businesses also plan to provide discounts to program participants. | Judy Neal Executive Director Henry Council for Quality Growth 770-898-9076 info@henrycouncilforqualitygrowth.com |
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| State of Information Technology in Columbus | A cluster study of information technology in Columbus, prepared by Georgia Tech’s Economic Development Institute, begins with an asset inventory including such items as workforce characteristics, educational resources, an information technology inventory, local government programs and capabilities, and others, leading to a discussion of the existing technology clusters. (To view the study, see "more information.") | [more information] |
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| Statesboro Greenway Planning | The Statesboro Bike and Pedestrian Trail is sponsored by the City of Statesboro. Funded by D.O.T. Transportation Enhancement funds, it will connect Georgia Southern University to downtown Statesboro. | Hawa Samatar City Planner City of Statesboro 912-764-0668 |
Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Stephens County and Toccoa Intergovernmental Cooperation and Incorporation of Private Water Systems | City of Toccoa and Stephens County have undertaken a cooperative, $20 million program to extend water supply and distribution to unincorporated areas of the county. Today, 98% of the county's citizens have access to government provided water supply services. This program also resulted in two privately owned systems being incorporated into the governmentally owned system. After passage of a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum, a city-county contract was drawn defining roles and responsibilities, where the extended distribution lines would be located, which party had inspection responsibilities, how rates would be structured, and the city's ownership of the system. County officials decided where the lines would be placed in the county and managed the SPLOST funds while the city inspected construction of the lines to meet standards and EPD regulations. The contract was extended at the time a second SPLOST referendum passed. It will expire when all SPLOST funds have been expended. As a result of countywide water supply service, the county and city have realized tremendous economic development opportunities. The City of Toccoa has been able to attract additional industries that require adequate water supplies, some of which are located outside of the city jurisdiction. An additional benefit is enhanced countywide fire protection capability. Countywide fire hydrant coverage is approximately 99%; in some areas the ISO rating has dropped. | Bill DeFoor Utility Director City of Toccoa 706/282-3311 bdefoor@alltel.net |
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| Stockbridge Impact Fees | The City of Stockbridge charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of water and sewer services to the new developments. | Ted Strickland 770-389-7905 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| Stockbridge Livable Center Initiative | Through Livable Center Initiatives (LCI), ARC will invest $5 million over the next four years to fund "smart growth" studies around Atlanta. Beginning in 2003, ARC will contribute $350 million to help implement the various study projects. The widening of US highway 23 through the City of Stockbridge effectively split the city into two area. The study will consider the needs of both areas of the city with regard to encouraging pedestrian scale uses and sidewalk/bicycle infrastructure, traffic calming and other LCI goals. | Ted Strickland City Manager City of Stockbridge 770-389-7912 |
Traditional Neighborhood Development Standards QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Stormwater and Water Quality Charrette for Tybee Island | The purpose of this charrette was to develop a long-term strategy of conservation-based design improvements. Tybee Island agreed upon 6 principles: 1.Acknowledge the Water Cycle 2. Live within the Ecosystem and Understand Your Impact 3. Develop an Economically Viable Stormwater Program Considerate of Local Interests 4. Manage Tybee’s Water Resource Holistically 5. Create a Comfortable Integration of Environmental Values 6. Keep Water Alive First, existing ordinances were evaluated to determine whether they protected the environment or favored development that is environmentally detrimental. Areas of success included right of ways, setbacks and frontage, parking, stream buffers, tree ordinance, and some portions of stormwater management. Tybee Island discovered it needed to improve on streets, vegetated open channels, parking, open space, and stormwater. Several amendments were recommended to improve upon existing ordinances and design solutions were proposed to further strengthen conditions. | Leigh Askew DCA laskew@dca.state.ga.us |
Cluster Development QCO: Efficient Land Use Riparian Buffers QCO: Resource Management |
| Streetscape - Georgia State University | Georgia State University intends to make Decatur Street into its "Main Street." This initiative will make downtown Atlanta a more enjoyable place to walk around, and will offer transportation alternatives, especially for bicyclists. The overall goal is to bring order to the campus and improve the movement and safety of both pedestrians and vehicles on a busy downtown campus. | Ramesh Vakamudi Director of Facilities Planning Georgia State University 404-651-2000 |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Downtown Planning QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Suwanee Attempts Growth on a Human Scale | "Suwanee 2020," a citywide comprehensive plan and town master plan, will serve as one of the primary tools for managing growth into the 21st century. Suwanee has grown 182% from 1990 to 1998. Two of the most innovative aspects of the comprehensive plan are the implementation of mixed use zoning categories and the creation of six character areas within the city. Each character area has distinct characteristics and design guidelines. The six areas are: Suwanee Junction, Old Town, Chattahoochee Crossing, Suwanee Station, Suwanee Creek, and Mainstreet-Lakeside. | Marty Allen City Planner City of Suwanee 770-945-8896 |
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| Taylor County Land Conservation | The Chattahoochee Valley Land Trust purchased a 387-acre conservation easement in Taylor County in 2004. The easement was donated by Dr. Ben Cheek, who manages the property and is replanting native longleaf pine trees there. Two scenic county roads run through the site, which is inhabited by whitetail deer and eastern wild turkey. | ||
| Technology Square | This large mixed-use development in Atlanta, across the 75/85 highway from Georgia Tech, is known as Technology Square or "Tech Square." It consists of 700,000 square feet of office space, approximately 300,000 square feet devoted to research, over 100,000 square feet of street-level commercial space, a 250-room hotel and conference center, and 132 residential units. Buildings are located to enhance the pedestrian environment while minimizing the impact of cars. Streetscapes have furniture, ample street trees and wide sidewalks to create a strong sense of place. On-street parking and bike lanes serve to calm traffic. This development is an urban model of a public-private partnership that created a better urban environment. | [more information] |
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| The Clean Air Campaign | The mission of The Clean Air Campaign is to motivate Georgians to take action to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion | [more information] |
Safe Routes to School QCO: Transportation Options |
| The Pines at Willowbrook | The Pines at Willowbrook is an 80-unit apartment community developed as an affordable housing option in Hinesville near the Fort Stewart military base. The property consists of 5 apartment buildings of 16 units each and one community bldg. The mixed-income property leases 80% of the units to low-income households, with the remaining 20% of the units offered at market rates. Located in a family-oriented community, the complex includes 24 three-bedroom units, which were previously lacking in the area. | Jane Massey Community Initiatives Coordinator-Housing Finance Division 770-631-9292 jmassey@dca.state.ga.us [more information] |
Mixed-Income Housing QCO: Housing Options |
| The Villages at Carver | A unique mix of partners worked together to transform the former Carver Homes public housing community into mixed income housing. The combination of subsidized and market rate units in the development has helped spark new development in the area. | ||
| The Villages at Carver | The Villages at Carver provides mixed-income housing, in a low-income tract in the City of Atlanta designated for redevelopment. This project has also stimulated development along the Pryor Road Corridor, which had been stagnant for three decades. | Carver Redevelopment Partnership 404-224-1887 |
Environmental Resource Inventory QCO: Resource Management Mixed-Income Housing QCO: Housing Options |
| Thomasville Main Street Program | The Thomasville Main Street Program has returned the city's downtown to its original splendor, by restoring and rehabilitating many of its buildings to create a charming street of colorful storefronts. The program has received significant public and private investment dollars totaling more than $44.8 million, and with a net gain of 200 new businesses it has brought about 650 jobs to the downtown commercial district. One example is the relocation of Flowers Foods to the historic downtown area, bringing in more than 100 employees. | Downtown Planning QCO: Sense of Place |
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| Towns County Holds Lakeshore Cleanup Day | The Best Western Fieldstone Inn, Towns County Chamber of Commerce, Towns County Commissioner, and, the U. S. Forest Service all joined forces on Saturday, March 22 to sponsor the First Annual Great Lake Chatuge Clean Up. The Fieldstone Inn provided 10 pontoon boats for ferrying volunteers to areas along the shore for trash pick up. Trash was hauled back to the Inn and deposited in trucks supplied by the USFS. Towns County Commissioner, Jack Dayton, agreed to waive trash fees for these trucks on the day of the Clean Up. The first 100 volunteers to arrive at the Fieldstone Inn received a free t-shirt. Lunch was provided for all volunteers at The Yacht Club Tavern and Grill. | Candace Lee Director Towns County Chamber of Commerce 706-896-4966 |
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| Traditional Neighborhood Development in the City of Madison | The TND District allows the development of compact pedestrian oriented mixed-use development by right. Traditional Neighborhood Districts are required to be no smaller than twenty contiguous acres and no greater than two hundred contiguous acres. Property is considered contiguous even if separated by a public road or street. | Monica Callahan City of Madison Planning Department 706-342-1251 |
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| Tugaloo Corridor Project | The Toccoa-Stephens County Foundation is working to preserve one of the most historically significant parcels of land in Northeast Georgia. It is the site of the Old Estatoe Cherokee Indian Village. The 87-acre tract of land lies along the Tugaloo River between Lakes Yonah and Hartwell. The foundation members and local leaders hope to offer residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy the river and to learn about the history and ecology of the area. The project has received attention and support from the Georgia State Legislature, Trust for Public Land, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Georgia Power, Army Corps of Engineers and others. | Cynthia Brown Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce 706-886-2132 toccoaga@alltel.net |
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| Tyrone Builds Multi-Use Path | Construction is scheduled to begin in June on a 1.8 mile multi-use path that will be located on Castlewood Road behind Tyrone Elementary School. Once open, the path will accommodate walkers, bikers, joggers, and golf carts. The town is working with a master plan that calls for tying all neighborhoods together with Tyrone. The goal is to allow people to get from one neighborhood to another without getting in the car. | Barry Amos Town Manager Town of Tyrone 770-487-4038 |
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| Unified Development Regulations in the City of Dalton and Whitfield County | The City and County agreed to combine their Building/Zoning/Development Departments. Based on a review of the effect of current development regulations on quality growth, the County made several zoning changes. The City of Dalton contracted with the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission to conduct a complete evaluation of their Zoning Ordinance. The RC will recommend changes to the Zoning Ordinance in order to make it compatible with the Comprehensive Plan and its future Land Use component. | Gaile Jennings Director Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corporation 706-876-1630 gjennings@whitfieldcountyga.com [more information] |
Code Enforcement QCO: Housing Options |
| Union County Expands Trails Program | Union County Government is nearing completion of a new section of walking and bicycling trail. The Nottely River Linkage Trail will connect Meeks Park and the North Georgia Technical College campus with 3,000 feet of new trail along the banks of the Nottely River. This new section of trail is designed for walkers, runners and bicyclists and will be paved and lighted. The master plan for Union County’s trail program calls for six miles for trails. Nottely River Linkage Trail construction was assisted by $202,080 in funding from a DOT T-21 grant. | Larry Garrett Recreation Director Union County 706-781-5660 |
Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place |
| Updated Designs for McRae and Helena Downtowns | Students and professors at the University of Georgia's College of Environment and Design (CED), along with The Crossroads Cities, Inc., conducted a charette to update the design of the McRae and Helena downtowns. | Pratt Cassity Public Service Director UGA - Center for Community Design and Preservation [more information] |
Design Guidelines QCO: Sense of Place Downtown Planning QCO: Sense of Place |
| Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority provides regional approach | During the mid 1980's when most of Georgia suffered under a prolonged drought, the member counties, located in the piedmont region of Northeast Georgia with little groundwater and limited surface water, needed an economical and reliable water source. The Upper Oconee Basin Group (Basin Group) formed in 1987 to review findings of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers relative to water resources in Northeast Georgia. The Basin Group was comprised of municipal and county elected officials from Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Jackson, and Oconee counties and staff from the Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center. Each member county located within the reservoir watershed must enact and enforce zoning ordinances including an ordinance establishing a Watershed Protection District consistent with the State's Rules for Environmental Planning Criteria for Water Supply Watersheds. | Wendell Dawson Chairman Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority 706/769-5120 |
Environmental Resource Inventory QCO: Resource Management |
| Urban Forest Interpretive Trail in Chatham County | The Oatland Island Education Center project will involve the use of interactive interpretive kiosks which will address urban forest issues such as climate change, urban wildlife, urban/rural interface, energy and resource conservation, and urban tree growth and care. | Annette Quinting Teacher 770-786-7004 |
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| Valdosta/Hahira/Lowndes County Service Delivery Agreement | Officials from Valdosta, Hahira, and Lowndes County are working together to review joint plans and ensure that services are not dublicated as part of House Bill 489. | [more information] |
Shared Service Agreements QCO: Regional Cooperation |
| Villages at Lafayette Park in Fayetteville | The Villages at Lafayette is a mixed-use development connected to the existing Fayetteville downtown. The compactly designed project uses village squares at intersections to create open space. There are 233 residential units including both single family and lofts above retail. Parking is located at the rear of buildings. The development was a 2002 Development of Excellence, awarded by the Atlanta Regional Commission. | Don Easterbrook 770-461-6029 |
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| Visual Preference Survey in Columbus, Georgia | In Columbus (Georgia), a visual preference survey was used to gather opinions about the preferred future of Midtown Columbus. The original idea of a visual preference survey was developed (and patented) by architect Anton Nelessen, but there are many other variations. Its basic concept is that people are presented with different images, and vote on their preferred choice. The results of the survey for Midtown Columbus, which was administered online and at public meetings, will help guide the planning and development of the area. The survey took approximately 30 minutes for an individual to complete, and it contained various development scenarios, parking options, and streetscape improvements, which were evaluated on a scale from negative 10 to positive 10. | [more information] |
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| Walkable Emory Park in DeKalb County | Emory Parc is a traditional neighborhood development born from the redevelopment of an existing 32-home subdivision into 63 townhouses and 81 single-family detached homes. Located off Clairmont Road in DeKalb County, Emory Parc sets a new standard for enhancement of the pedestrian environment. Thoughtful attention was given to create a development that has raised sidewalk crossings, intentionally narrow streets and planting strips for traffic calming. In addition to sidewalks, the development includes pedestrian trails and connections that link within as well as to all of the adjoining amenities. The homes sit close to the street, and many utilize rear alleys for car access, which further enhances the pedestrian feel of the community. The surrounding uses also promote a pedestrian environment with a library, senior center, tennis courts and a trail system located within easy walking distance. | Cluster Development QCO: Efficient Land Use Creative Design for Higher Density QCO: Efficient Land Use Land Assembly for Redevelopment QCO: Efficient Land Use Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options |
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| Walker County Modifies Land Use Regulations for Smart Growth and Greenspace | In State Fiscal Year 2002, Walker County received a grant from DCA’s Quality Growth Grant Program to modify existing land use regulations to promote smarter growth, commercial greenspace design and preservation of green space. The project included eight public meetings facilitated by nationally known smart growth advocate Randall Arendt and regional architect Richard Rothmann. As part of the current quality growth grant, the county will soon adopt ordinances specifically for conservation subdivisions. In addition, building codes and a countywide building inspection program have been implemented. Fourteen organized subcommittees and a core group are currently working on Joint Walker County Comprehensive Plan. A work group is also advising the Sole Commissioner on historic preservation and development controls along a new bypass near the Chickamauga-Chattanooga Battlefield Park. Preliminary activities have also been initiated to develop and implement a master tourism plan. The county is establishing a Historic Preservation Commission and participates in the state’s greenspace program. | Bobbie Perra Walker County Commissioner's Office 706-638-1462 bobbiep@co.walker.ga.us |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options |
| Walnut Avenue Overlay-Dalton-Whitfield | DCAs Office of Quality Growth and UGA's Land Use Clinic have partnered with the City of Dalton to produce an overlay district for Walnut Avenue. The Comprehensive Plan specifically adopted the Quality Growth Resource Team's recommended requirements for major corridors to ensure that development does not add to the existing commercial clutter. A field trip to Dalton and a 1/2 day Focus Group session set the parameters for the Overlay district. The final draft was submitted and the City of Dalton is waiting to adopt the overlay in conjunction with the new Zoning Ordinance. | Gaile Jennings 706-281-4804 [more information] |
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| Walton Impact Fees | Walton County charges impact fees on new developments. The impact fees are used to pay for the provision of parks and recreation, police, jails, fire protection, EMS, E-911 and libraries that will be needed to serve the new developments. | Kevin Little 770-267-1301 |
Impact Fees QCO: Local Preparedness |
| WaterFirst | A WaterFirst Community has implemented or is implementing the following measures: wastewater collection, treatment and reuse, stormwater management, erosion and sedimentation control, local stream and river water quality protection, water supply management, water source protection, and water conservation. It is a three-part program. Part 1: decide to pursue environmental excellence as a WaterFirst Community. Part 2: achieve and maintain environmental compliance and the performance goals established in Part 1. Part 3: continue to move beyond environmental compliance and set additional goals to maintain environmental excellence with new programs or program updates. A WaterFirst Community may receive several incentives, including Community Development Block Grants, technical assistance, federal assistance, and rate reductions. | Leigh Askew DCA laskew@dca.state.ga.us |
Landscaping Ordinance QCO: Sense of Place Riparian Buffers QCO: Resource Management |
| Watershed Assessment/Watershed Protection Plan-Gwinnett County | Gwinnett County conducted a Watershed Assessment to determine not only the condition of local streams but what factors were contributing to their impaired conditions. The primary stressors on the streams in the county were determined to be from stormwater runoff from developed and historically agricultural lands and from the clearing of riparian zones and stream bank vegetation. To address these stressors, and to minimize the problems they caused, a watershed protection plan was developed to address changes in hydrology, alterations of riparian corridors, and reduced water quality. | Riparian Buffers QCO: Resource Management |
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| Watershed Protection Strategy in the Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority | The Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority (WSA) provides wholesale or retail water supply and wastewater services to approximately 120,000 residential and industrial users in Douglas County, the city of Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Carrol County. The WSA has developed a nationally recognized watershed protection plan to preserve the quality of local sources of drinking water and has facilitated a comprehensive approach to watershed protection by devising a single set of rules and ordinances that is seamless across jurisdictions. The city and county adopted protection measures as ordinances and as a condition of supply to jurisdictions outside of Douglas County. All decisions in the watershed are based on industry standards of practices that protect water supplies and are supported by assessment of risk. The WSA is now conducting watershed assessments based on state procedures and standards. Assessments in both the Anneewakee Creek and the Gothards Creek basins are being implemented for future expansion of wastewater treatment plants. | Peter Frost Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority 770-949-7617 |
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| Wesley Chapel Redevelopment | A project is underway to redevelop an area along Wesley Chapel Road near I-20. They are building a bridge over the interstate, adding lanes, landscaping the median, building bike lanes and sidewalks, and putting in street lights in the area. They are also looking to redevelop the Wesley Chapel business district from a rundown area littered with vacant big-box stores, motels, and fast food restaurants into a new mixed-use development in an attempt to attract jobs to the area. An overlay district may be created in order to make it faster and easier for businesses to open. | [more information] |
Landscaping Ordinance QCO: Sense of Place Scenic Byway Designation QCO: Sense of Place |
| West End Livable Center Initiative in Atlanta | Through Livable Center Initiatives (LCI), the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) will invest $5 million over the next four years to fund "smart growth" studies around Atlanta. Beginning in 2003, ARC will contribute $350 million to help implement the various study projects. The West End area is the location of a MARTA rail station and a small mixed-use community. The area has many opportunities for redevelopment including the Candler Warehouse. The LCI study will determine opportunities for Transit oriented Development and other needs in the area to create a more thriving urban community. | Harry Boxler Atlanta Bureau of Planning 404-330-6911 |
Small Area Plans QCO: Sense of Place Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Whitfield County/City of Dalton GQGP Resource Team Visit | A Georgia Quality Growth Partnership Resource Team visited the city and county in March 2001 and developed several smart growth oriented recommendations for improving local quality of life. The city and county continue to implement recommendations from the Resource Team visit. | Jim Frederick Director Office of Planning & Environmental Management, DCA 404-679-3105 jim.frederick@dca.ga.gov [more information] |
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| Whitfield County/Dalton Urban Redevelopment Plan | Using funds received from a Georgia Department of Community Affairs Quality Growth Grant, the City of Dalton and Whitfield County hired a consultant to conduct an Urban Redevelopment Plan and a Multi-Modal Transportation Structural Study. The focus area for the Multi-Modal Transportation is within the city limits identifying and expanding the connections to the county, including a public transportation component. The proposed Urban Redevelopment Plan and the results of the Multi-modal Transportation Study and transportation analysis were presented at a public hearing held on January 14th at the Whitfield County Courthouse. The Georgia Department of Transportation will conduct a transportation study for Whitfield County to complement the one being conducted within the city limits. This Multi-modal Transportation Study will guide the implementation of transportation improvements in Whitfield County including highways, airport access, bike and pedestrian facilities, railroads and transit to the year 2025. It will develop a multi-modal transportation plan addressing existing transportation needs and a framework to deal with future growth and changing transportation needs and demands. As part of this plan, Joann Lewis Park, located within the Urban Redevelopment Plan boundaries was targeted for upgrade and expansion. A Design Assistance Team from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs visited Dalton on October 10th & 11th to meet with area residents and to plan the new design. Joann Lewis Park is located at the terminus of Fourth Avenue and a Streetscape design for that street will be part of the overall plan. Prior to the team visit, area Latino businesses received a survey composed in Spanish concerning current park usage and desired amenities. The City has since received the design for the park and the streetscape plan for 4th Avenue. | Gaile Jennings Director Office of Workforce Housing and Quality Growth 706-281-4804 GJennings@whitfieldcountyga.com |
Corridor Study QCO: Economic Prosperity Flexible Street Design Standards QCO: Transportation Options Right-of-Way Improvements QCO: Sense of Place Traffic Calming QCO: Transportation Options Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Winterville Public Meeting/Movie Night | The Winterville Comprehensive Plan Update Steering Committee combined a public meeting with a movie night in their local park to draw more participants. The attempt was successful and they were able to engage citizens in the planning process. | [more information] |
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| Woodpecker Trail Association, Inc. | Wookpecker Trail Association, Inc. was incorporated in 2003 to promote the Woodpecker Trail, a historic scenic byway that runs through 10 Georgia counties, and to support rural tourism and economic development in the region. The group has received assistance and grants from several different organizations throughout the state and plans to continue to promote the Trail through participation in festivals, signage, and welcome center brochures. | Billy Trapnell Association President P. O. Box 74, Metter, GA 30439 912-685-2527 btrapnel@pineland.net [more information] |
Scenic Byway Designation QCO: Sense of Place Transportation Enhancement Program QCO: Transportation Options |
| Woodstock Livable Centers Initiative | The City of Woodstock received an LCI to revitalize its town center and plan for a commuter rail station. As a result, the city is allowing mixed-use near the proposed rail station, building on its history as a rail community. | Richard McLeod Director Office of Planning and Economic Development 770-592-6037 |
Infill Development Program QCO: Efficient Land Use Small Area Plans QCO: Sense of Place |
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