5 Functional Area Plans

The 2003 Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) contains the following fifteen functional plans:

  1. Economic Development
  2. Housing
  3. Human Services
  4. Transportation
  5. Environment
  6. Natural Resources
  7. Historic Resources
  8. Parks and Recreation
  9. Arts and Cultural Affairs
  10. Libraries
  11. Education
  12. Public Safety
  13. General Government
  14. Urban Design
  15. Land Use

The elements listed above comprise the heart of the City's CDP. Each element addresses current and future conditions, policies and programs, which is consistent with the City's three-step planning process:

Step 1: Inventory and Assessment

An inventory is taken of existing conditions. This includes facilities, demographics, economic data, natural and historic resources and other significant factors that influence City services. An assessment of the facilities is conducted to determine their adequacy in lieu of major influences, such as projected population increases and anticipated future development patterns.

See sections entitled "Existing Conditions" and "Anticipated Future Conditions".

Step 2: Needs and Goals

Based on the inventory and assessment, existing and future needs are identified and general goals are set. The goal statements are consistent with, and supportive of; the statewide planning goals as set forth in the five (5) Minimum Planning Standards and Procedures.

The statewide goals include:

  1. The achievement of a growing and balanced economy, consistent with the resources of this state and its various regions, that equitably benefits all sections of the state and all segments of the population;
  2. The conservation and protection of the environmental, natural and historic resources of Georgia's communities, regions and the state;
  3. The assurance that public infrastructure facilities which serve local governments, the region and the state have the capacity and are in place when needed to support and attract growth and development and/or maintain and enhance the quality of life of the residents of the state;
  4. The assurance that all people within the state and its various regions and communities have access to adequate and affordable housing;
  5. The assurance that the land resources of the state are allocated for uses required to facilitate the topical areas of economic development, natural and historic resources, community facilities, and housing, as outlined above, and to protect and promote the quality of life of the people of Georgia's communities, regions, and the state.

See sections entitled "Current Conditions", "Anticipated Future Conditions", and Policies, Programs and Projects".

Step 3: Implementation

The programs and projects sections of the CDP give narrative summaries of the most important implementation actions. Most projects have assigned Capital Improvement Program (CIP) numbers. Projects that have not been assigned a number are listed as "new". If information is not available for a particular category, the project is listed as "n.i." for "not identified". The program and project listings give estimated costs expressed in thousands of dollars (x $1,000).

The current and planned policies, programs and projects are reviewed and assessed for consistency with goals and effectiveness in meeting needs. Where adequacy is lacking, recommendations are made to achieve the desired level of service.