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BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING | 3.21.23
HENRY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
AGENDA
1. Introductions
2. Project Overview
3. Engagement Opportunities
4. Next Steps
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INTRODUCTIONS
PROJECT TEAM
County Staff
Touissant Kirk
Planning & Zoning Director
Kamau As-Salaam
Interim Assistant Director
Yaritza Nieves
Planner III
Kenta Lanham
Planner II
Faith Palmer
Planner I
Consultants
Allison Stewart-Harris
Project Manager/Senior Planner, TSW
Nathan Brown
Community Planner, TSW
Nick Johnson
Community Planner, TSW
Houston Harris
Community Planner, TSW
Contente Terry
Contente Consulting
Kellie Littlefield
Contente Consulting
Randy Gibbs
Steps Economics
Matt Reeves
Croy Engineering
Dan Dobry
Croy Engineering
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| PROJECT OVERVIEW
WHAT IS COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING?
• A Comprehensive Plan is a road map that outlines how a community’s longterm vision will be met over time
• Having a 20+ year outlook, Comprehensive Plans are continuously updated, usually every 5 years
• Required by the State of Georgia to remain eligible for certain funding sources
• Minimum requirements differ by jurisdiction, but Henry County needs the following in its plan:
• Community goals
• Needs and opportunities
• Community work program
• Land Use Element
• Transportation Element
• Broadband Element
• Capital Improvements Element (CIE)
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OUR GOAL
Rehaul 2018 Comprehensive Plan!
We need to address the coming growth in a proactive, thoughtful way. How can we balance density with preserving more rural areas?
We will accomplish this goal by:
• Evaluating recent development patterns
• Analyzing existing plans, particularly around infrastructure
• Working with the community on a vision for growth
• Providing an action-oriented plan to put Henry County in the driver’s seat
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BUILDING OFF EXISTING PLANS
This plan will not re-invent perfectly good wheels...
We are incorporating information/recommendations from the following plans:
• Trails Master Plan
• Comprehensive Transportation Plan
• Transit Master Plan
• Hudson Bridge LCI
...and considers our neighbors’ work too:
• Comprehensive Plans underway for Stockbridge, McDonough, Locust Grove, and Hampton
• Looking at land use plans of Butts, Clayton, DeKalb, Newton, Rockdale, and Spalding Counties, particularly around our borders
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WHAT IS THIS PLAN?
This plan will not...
• Act as a regulatory document - it does not change any zoning (but will have recommendations for this)
• Force changes on private property (this plan will only apply to new development and any redevelopment brought forth by developers and property owners!)
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PROCESS & SCHEDULE
TITLE
Project Initiation (In Progress)
• Kick-Off Meeting
• Consultants analyze 2018 comprehensive plan and supporting documents
• Report of Accomplishments
• Public Hearing #1
• Stakeholder interviews
• Introduce plan to the community
• Identify key assets and challenges
Public Participation
Land Use Update + Other Elements
April to May 2023
• Land use analysis, including a publlic workshop focused on specific parts of the County
• Steering Committee #2
• Future Community Map and Land Use Map updates
Implementation
June to July 2023
• Develop action-oriented implementation strategies to address the key assets + challenges
• Create the Community Work Program (your to-do list!)
Final Plan + Adoption
August to October 2023
• Create and share Draft Comprehensive Plan Update
• Once blessed by the community and Commission, shepherd plan through state and regional approval process
• Adopt the plan by its deadline in October
Public Hearing #1
Tonight!
2023
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Public Workshop #1 April Steering Committee Meeting #2 May
MAR County Adoption October 17th,
Steering Committee Meeting #1
March Land Use Workshop May Steering Committee Meeting #3 June Public Workshop #2 July Public Hearing
15th NOV
Late
#2 August
03| ENGAGEMENT APPROACH
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ENGAGEMENT GOALS
Two Main Goals:
Get the word out that this plan is happening now!
Provide accessible, easy-tounderstanding information about the key development assets and challenges we face
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OPPORTUNITIES
Participation Opportunities:
• Public Workshop #1 - mid April
• Online input #1 - April
• Land Use Workshop - early May
• Online input #2 - May
• Public Workshop #2 - July
Best place for up-to-date information:
https://www.co.henry.ga.us/Departments/M-R/Planning-Zoning
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04| NEXT STEPS
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NEXT STEPS
• Stakeholder interviews 3/22 - 3/24
• Steering Committee Meeting #1 on March 27th or 29th @ 11am (Virtual)
• Complete existing plan analysis
• Complete Report of Accomplishments
• Prep for Public Workshop during the week of April 17th in person
BARROW COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 15
16 THANK YOU!
ash@tsw-design.com
Questions? Please get in touch!