Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 110 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS › Chapter 110-12 - MINIMUM STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES › Subject 110-12-6 - STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR REGIONAL PLANNING "REGIONAL PLANNING REQUIREMENTS" › Rule 110-12-6-.03 - Plan Elements

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
This chapter provides guidance for completing each element of
				  the regional plan. Each Regional Commission is encouraged to add additional
				  elements to their regional plan to address specific regional needs as
				  needed.
(1)
Executive
				Summary.
This element provides a brief overview of the planning
				document, summarizing the essential parts. At a minimum it must include the
				following:
* Stakeholder involvement summary;
* Regional goal summary;
* Highlight regional commission priority needs and
				  opportunities; and
* Highlight key strategies and specific actions to be
				  pursued.
(2)
Regional
				Goals.
The purpose of the Regional Goals element is to lay out a road
				map for the region's future, developed through a participatory process
				involving regional leaders, key stakeholders, and the general public (following
				the process as defined in section
				110-12-6-.03(5)(c)).
				The Regional Goals are the most important part of the plan, for it includes the
				region's vision for the future, and are intended to generate pride and
				enthusiasm about the future of the region, thereby making stakeholders want to
				ensure that the plan is implemented. The Regional Goals must include the four
				required components listed below:
(a)
List of Regional Goals.
Include a list of multiple overarching
				regional goals that also support and are consistent with the statewide goals
				included in section
				110-12-6-.06 which, through the
				Regional Commission's leadership will be addressed through the regional plan.
				Review the suggested goals in the Supplemental Planning Recommendations for
				suggestions.
(b)
Regional
				Policies.
Include any policies (such as,"New development will be
				encouraged to locate on infill sites closer to towns, whenever possible.")
				necessary to provide ongoing guidance and direction to regional leaders for
				making decisions consistent with achieving the Regional Vision or addressing
				Regional Issues and Opportunities. These policies should be specific enough for
				use by any local, state, or federal governmental agency in making decisions as
				to whether investments in new or upgraded public facilities would be consistent
				with the regional plan. These policies should include locational factors
				(e.g.,"locate new schools within existing neighborhoods," "no road expansions
				within the Wapatchee Environmental Resource Area"), as well as design and
				impact considerations (e.g.,"architecture should reflect the regional
				vernacular," "provide strong pedestrian linkages to mitigate traffic impacts").
				Regional Commissions are encouraged to categorize the regional policies based
				on applicability or function. For example: regional policies for public
				investments in the region or regional policies for DRI's.
(c)
Regional Development Maps.
Prepare two Regional Development Maps that illustrate the desired future
				regional development patterns for the 20-year planning period.
1.
Regional Land Use Map.
The
				Regional Land Use map will identify the following three general land use
				categories for the entire region (if subcategories are used, the map must
				identify how they aggregate into the three general categories):
* Developed. Areas that exhibit urban type development
				  patterns (i.e., medium to high density residential, commercial development and
				  industrial development, etc.) and where urban services (i.e., public services
				  of water, sewer, etc.) are already being provided at the time of plan
				  preparation.
* Developing. Areas that are expected to become urbanized and
				  will require provision of new urban services (i.e., public services of water,
				  sewer, etc.) during the planning period.
* Rural. Areas not expected to become urbanized or require
				  provision of urban services (i.e., public services of water and sewer, etc.)
				  during the planning period. These areas are characterized by sparsely developed
				  nonurban areas where the land is primarily used for farming, forestry, very low
				  density residential or open space uses.
2.
Conservation and Development
				Map.
Using the categories from the Regional Land Use map as a base, the
				Conservation and Development map will display Conservation Areas as an overlay,
				visualized as hatching above the Regional Land Use categories. Conservation
				Areas are defined below (if subcategories are used, the map must identify how
				they aggregate into the conservation category):
* Conservation. Areas to be preserved in order to protect
				  important regional resources or environmentally sensitive areas of the region.
				  At a minimum, the green infrastructure network on the Regionally Important
				  Resources Map found in the Regional Commission's adopted Regional Resource Plan
				  for the region must be shown. Additionally, critical environmentally-sensitive
				  areas (e.g., groundwater recharge areas, priority forest, prime farmland,
				  wetlands, etc.) must be included as appropriate for each region.
(d)
Areas
				Requiring Special Attention Map and Defining Narrative.
While preparing
				the Regional Development Maps, identify areas that need targeted monitoring and
				mitigation due to potential development conflicts or opportunities for economic
				growth and define specific strategies for managing each area.
1.
Areas Requiring Special Attention
				Map.
Considering the Regional Development Map above and other sources,
				evaluate the land use trends within the region to identify and map any areas
				requiring special attention. At a minimum, consider the following:
*
Threatened Regionally Important Resources.
Areas identified on the Regionally Important Resources map where significant
				  natural or cultural resources are likely to be impacted by development. At a
				  minimum, the assessment of these areas should be informed by the
				  following:
* Identifying the areas identified on the Regionally
				  Important Resource Map (Regionally Important Resources, DCA Rules Chapter
				  110-12-4) that overlap the "Developed" or "Developing" Areas, and
* Identifying the portions of the Conservation and
				  Development Map where the "Conservation" Areas overlap the "Developed" or
				  "Developing" Areas.
*
Rapid Development.
Areas where rapid
				  development or change of land uses are likely to occur, especially where the
				  pace of development has and/or may outpace the availability of community
				  facilities and services, including transportation;
*
Redevelopment.
Areas in need of or currently
				  experiencing redevelopment. These areas may include:
* The need for significant improvements to aesthetics or
				  attractiveness (e.g., strip commercial corridors, aging developments,
				  etc.);
* The potential for infill development (e.g., scattered
				  vacant sites, large abandoned structures, sites that may be environmentally
				  contaminated, etc.);
* Levels of poverty and/or unemployment that is substantially
				  higher than the region as a whole, indicating significant disinvestment (e.g.,
				  areas identified as Opportunity Zones, Enterprise Zones, Urban Redevelopment
				  Areas, Revitalization Area Strategies, or similar planning documents);
				  or
* Other metrics identified by the Regional
				  Commission.
2.
Defining Narrative.
The defining narrative must include the
				following specific strategies for managing each Area Requiring Special
				Attention.
* Written description, pictures, and/or illustrations that
				  make it clear what types, forms, styles, and patterns of development are to be
				  encouraged in the area. Recommended development patterns listed in the
				  Supplemental Planning Recommendations may be referred to for
				  suggestions.
* Listing of specific types of land uses appropriate for the
				  unique characteristics of the area.
* Identification of implementation measures, which may be
				  undertaken by the Regional Commission and/or local government, to achieve the
				  desired development patterns for the area, including more detailed sub-area
				  planning, new or revised local development regulations, incentives, public
				  investments, and infrastructure improvements. Recommended plan implementation
				  measures listed in the Supplemental Planning Recommendations may be referred to
				  for suggestions.