Final product will be blueprint for future growth and development
County officials conducted the first required public hearing on the update of the Fayette County Comprehensive Plan during the Sept. 8 regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
Planning and Zoning Director Pete Frisina led off the public hearing with an outline of the process, followed by a brief period of public input from a handful of people in the audience. The board took no action.
The first speaker to address the board said that it is time for the county to look seriously at mass transit availability to help attract millennials who need to work in Atlanta. The other speakers did not share that opinion, saying that they were attracted to Fayette County in some cases for opposite reasons.
Commissioner Steve Brown said that recent research shows the number one issue for millennials relocating to a certain area is the availability of jobs. While single people may not find Fayette attractive, those who are marrying and starting families tend to consider the county an ideal place to live, he said.
Fellow commissioner David Barlow said that he has met millennials who live near him, and he has found that they are coming to Fayette because of affordable housing and other quality-of-life considerations for which the county is already known.
This hearing actually was the start of the process, which should conclude next June. To start the full plan update process, a public hearing is required by state law to brief the community on the process to be used to develop the plan as well as opportunities for public participation in development of the plan, and also to obtain input on the proposed planning process.
A second public meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium on Whitewater High School, 100 Wildcat Way in Fayetteville. At that time the public will be further briefed on the process.
The steering committee created to facilitate this update includes Frisina, Commissioner Brown, Planning Commission member Brian Haren, and Emily Poole of the Development Authority.
It was stressed throughout the presentation, including several specific comments by commissioners, that public participation is a major component of the process. Commissioners urged every citizen in the county at attend a meeting if at all possible.
Relevant information will be publicized by county officials through the county’s website, press releases to local media, outreach materials for citizens, and and the county’s public access television station (channel 23).
Citizens will be asked to fill out a survey during the months of October and November. The survey will be made available through the county’s website and also in paper form at county facilities such as the administrative complex, library and recreation offices.
The update process requires the county to identify local stakeholder groups and seek their input. Meetings with stakeholders are expected to take place during September, October and November.
Stakeholders include law enforcement, the school system, Development Authority, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Realtors, Piedmont Fayette Hospital, residential and commercial developers, local civil engineering firms specializing in land development, local land trusts and/or environmental organizations, Fayette Senior Services, local agricultural and forestry representatives, homeowners associations, and other groups or organizations not yet identified.
Minimum planning standards for a comprehensive plan require certain elements covering community goals, needs and opportunities, community work program, economic development, land use, transportation and housing.
January is the target date to have a draft of the full plan update ready for public review. Public hearing for transmittal to ARC and DCA for review will be in February or March. The due date for adoption of the plan is June 30.
