Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 110-12-6-.04 - State Planning Goals and Objectives
(1)
General. The Department has
established statewide goals and a number of Quality Community Objectives that
further elaborate the state goals, based on growth and development issues
identified in local and regional plans, throughout the state. These goals and
objectives are intended to provide guidance, or targets for Regional
Commissions to achieve, in developing and implementing their regional plan.
This section is provided as a reference for Regional Commissions as they
evaluate policies, activities, and development patterns in the region for
consistency with these goals and objectives pursuant to section
110-12-6-.03(3)(b).
(2)
Statewide Planning Goals.
(a)
Economic Development Goal:
To achieve a growing and balanced economy, consistent with the prudent
management of the state's resources, that equitably benefits all segments of
the population.
(b)
Natural
and Cultural Resources Goal: To conserve and protect the environmental,
natural and cultural resources of Georgia's communities, regions and the
state.
(c)
Community
Facilities and Services Goal: To ensure the provision of community
facilities and services throughout the state to support efficient growth and
development patterns that will protect and enhance the quality of life of
Georgia's residents.
(d)
Housing Goal: To ensure that all residents of the state have
access to adequate and affordable housing.
(e)
Land Use and Transportation
Goal: To ensure the coordination of land use planning and transportation
planning throughout the state in support of efficient growth and development
patterns that will promote sustainable economic development, protection of
natural and cultural resources and provision of adequate and affordable
housing.
(f)
Intergovernmental Coordination: To ensure the coordination of
local planning efforts with other local service providers and authorities, with
neighboring communities and with state and regional plans and
programs.
(3)
Quality Community Objectives.
(a)
Economic Prosperity: Encourage development or expansion of
businesses and industries that are suitable for the community. Factors to
consider when determining suitability include job skills required; long-term
sustainability; linkages to other economic activities in the region; impact on
the resources of the area; or prospects for creating job opportunities that
meet the needs of a diverse local workforce.
(b)
Resource Management: Promote
the efficient use of natural resources and identify and protect environmentally
sensitive areas of the community. This may be achieved by promoting energy
efficiency and renewable energy generation; encouraging green building
construction and renovation; utilizing appropriate waste management techniques;
fostering water conservation and reuse; or setting environmentally sensitive
areas aside as green space or conservation reserves.
(c)
Efficient Land Use: Maximize
the use of existing infrastructure and minimize the costly conversion of
undeveloped land at the periphery of the community. This may be achieved by
encouraging development or redevelopment of sites closer to the traditional
core of the community; designing new development to minimize the amount of land
consumed; carefully planning expansion of public infrastructure; or maintaining
open space in agricultural, forestry, or conservation uses.
(d)
Local Preparedness: Identify
and put in place the prerequisites for the type of future the community seeks
to achieve. These prerequisites might include infrastructure (roads, water,
sewer) to support or direct new growth; ordinances and regulations to manage
growth as desired; leadership and staff capable of responding to opportunities
and managing new challenges; or undertaking an all-hazards approach to disaster
preparedness and response.
(e)
Sense of Place: Protect and enhance the community's unique
qualities. This may be achieved by maintaining the downtown as focal point of
the community; fostering compact, walkable, mixed-use development; protecting
and revitalizing historic areas of the community; encouraging new development
that is compatible with the traditional features of the community; or
protecting scenic and natural features that are important to defining the
community's character.
(f)
Regional Cooperation: Cooperate with neighboring jurisdictions to
address shared needs. This may be achieved by actively participating in
regional organizations; identifying joint projects that will result in greater
efficiency and less cost to the taxpayer; or developing collaborative solutions
for regional issues such as protection of shared natural resources, development
of the transportation network, or creation of a tourism plan.
(g)
Housing Options: Promote an
adequate range of safe, affordable, inclusive, and resource efficient housing
in the community. This may be achieved by encouraging development of a variety
of housing types, sizes, costs, and densities in each neighborhood; promoting
programs to provide housing for residents of all socio- economic backgrounds,
including affordable mortgage finance options; instituting programs to address
homelessness issues in the community; or coordinating with local economic
development programs to ensure availability of adequate workforce housing in
the community.
(h)
Transportation Options: Address the transportation needs, challenges and
opportunities of all community residents. This may be achieved by fostering
alternatives to transportation by automobile, including walking, cycling, and
transit; employing traffic calming measures throughout the community; requiring
adequate connectivity between adjoining developments; or coordinating
transportation and land use decision-making within the community.
(i)
Educational Opportunities:
Make educational and training opportunities readily available to enable
all community residents to improve their job skills, adapt to technological
advances, manage their finances, or pursue life ambitions. This can be achieved
by expanding and improving local educational institutions or programs;
providing access to other institutions in the region; instituting programs to
improve local graduation rates; expanding vocational education programs; or
coordinating with local economic development programs to ensure an adequately
trained and skilled workforce.
(j)
Community Health: Ensure that all community residents, regardless
of age, ability, or income, have access to critical goods and services, safe
and clean neighborhoods, and good work opportunities. This may be achieved by
providing services to support the basic needs of disadvantaged residents,
including the disabled; instituting programs to improve public safety;
promoting programs that foster better health and fitness; or otherwise
providing all residents the opportunity to improve their circumstances in life
and to fully participate in the community.
Notes
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