The Fayetteville City Council

recently approved all of the necessary ordinances and development agreements

to bring the Southside Master Plan to a successful conclusion.

The need for proactive long

term planning concerning the south side of our community dates back a

number of years. Large tracts of legally zoned underdeveloped land dominated

the south side. The zoning dated back several decades. The zoning districts

included large tracts of commercial land along with residential land of

various densities. The concern was that, without an attempt at long-term

planning, the area would develop in a haphazard piecemeal manner, thus

generating many of the same problems other areas have experienced.

The goals for the Southside

Plan were clearly articulated and became the guideposts for the city and

the subsequent taskforce members. The goals were:

1. No significant change in

total commercial zoning.

2. No increase in number/density

of housing.

3. Protect the environment.

4. Provide for all transportation

planning and improvements within the control and capability of the city.

5. Provide for usable green

space/open space.

6. No impact upon the school

system beyond current plans.

As with any large undertakings

the original proposals provided a good starting point but were flawed

in that they did not meet the guideposts. Many citizens, along with city

staff and officials, had a number of legitimate concerns with the original

proposal. The decision was made to engage outside consultants to aid in

the process, an in an unprecedented move a task force was formed including

representatives from all stakeholders and area homeowner groups. In an

effort to reach the best possible solution for the wider community the

decision was made to include representatives from outside of the city

that do not share in the financial burden of the city taxpayers but could

be affected.

I would like to publicly thank

and recognize each member of the Southside Task Force for his or her gift

of time, energy and service to the community. Through wide-ranging, frank,

and spirited debate the task force members were able to help mold a plan

that will serve our community well for the next several decades.

The primary representatives

of the task and their affiliation included: Mr. and Mrs. Mitch Crabbe

of Chanticlear, Mr. Patrick Burke of Highland Park, Ms. Minta Mueller

and Mr. John Gerrard of Kingswood, Ms. Rhonda Davis of Lake Circle, Mr.

Ron Cantoni of Lakemont, Mr. Bill Wilbanks and Mr. Jim Futral of Woodgate,

and Ms. Gina Mosely of Wyngate.

Local property owners included:

Mr. Sam Burch, Mr. Bob Clifton, Mr. Kent Rose, Mr. Rich Dippolito, Mr.

Henrietta Dennis, Mr. Ted Meeks, Mr. Bob Rolader, Mr. Joe Simpson, and

Mr. Henry Thrailkill. Mr. Bill Talley represented Fayetteville City Council

and Mr. Myron Coxe represented the Planning and Zoning Commission.

None of the thoughts, plans,

ideas or agreements would have come together without the tireless efforts

of the city staff. Led by City Manager Joe Morton, City Planner Jahnee

Prince, City Engineer Don Easterbrook, and City Clerk Judy Stephens, we

now have all the necessary documentations to implement the long-term plan.

At the end of the day the bottom

line is, how does the Master Plan meet the six goals articulated at the

onset of the planning process?

1. No significant change in

total commercial zoning.

Result: Already zoned land

decreased somewhat, however some of the annexed land is commercial along

Ga. Highway 85. The boundaries of commercial land were adjusted so that

commercial zoning abuts no current residential subdivision, city or county.

2. No increase in number/density

of housing units.

Result: Significant reduction

in number of housing units at build-out, from 322 units to 285 units.

This will decrease another 15 percent or more should the Board of Education

be able to acquire their desired site.

3. Protect the environment.

Result: Outstanding! With the

stormwater management plans in progress and the Perry Creek Conservation

Area adopted the city is on the cutting edge of environmental protection

efforts. This experience will serve us well in other areas of the city.

4. Provide for all transportation

planning and improvements within the control and capability of the city.

Result: By zoning the commercial

land in nodes rather than linearly and mandating interparcel access the

number of vehicle trips per day at build-out (20 yrs) will be reduced

The city also acquired all necessary rights of way to widen arterial streets

and state highways within this area when needed. Ramah Road improvements

and the first phase of the Ga. Highway 92/Jeff Davis connector will be

built within 365 days. All of these needed improvements and land acquisitions

were part of the Master Plan thus freeing tax dollars for other needed

projects.

5. Provide for usable green

space/open space.

Result: From zero acres of

green space as previously zoned, the master plan now has 20-plus acres

of deeded permanent green space. There are bicycle/pedestrian paths around

the entire area now, providing interconnections with residential where

desired. All areas will have wide sidewalks. Additionally, by ordinance,

the maximum development of commercial parcels is 60 percent. That means

40 percent of all commercial land will be underdeveloped or landscaped

buffers, etc.

6. No impact on the schools

not already in the plans:

Result: Unequivocal success!

The total number of housing units have been reduced from 322 to 285. If

the school system acquires the residential land, they are interested in

the units will be reduced to about 240. Additionally, as per the 2000

census city households are almost .5 people smaller than in the county.

This would indicate even fewer school age children would be expected.

This capsule summary had certainly

become lengthy. However, it is important to recognize the effective involvement

of the task force members. It is safe to say that each member is a better

informed citizen and has a much deeper understanding of the complexities

of bringing together a wide segment of our community with distinctly different

and legitimate needs, desires, and time constraints. Perhaps the best

testament to the success of the "Southside Master Plan" is that

no one is 100 percent satisfied. This indicates that all voices were heard

and legitimate compromises were reached to address varying needs. That

sounds like a good definition for "community."

[Ken Steele is the mayor

of Fayetteville.]