Athens Reporter

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) is set to conduct a series of public input events and offer survey opportunities throughout April in a bid to update Athens-Clarke County’s Future Land Use Map. These efforts by the Planning Department mark the third series of public input since 2023 regarding the map's development.

Residents can participate in 10 public drop-in meetings scheduled between April 4 and April 30 across various community locations. During these events, staff and Future Land Use Steering Committee members will discuss the map, review proposals, answer questions, and assist with survey completion. Information tables will also be set up throughout the month at community events and public places. Details for these events are available at www.accgov.com/compplan.

An online survey for residents to share feedback on the map and proposals is also open at www.accgov.com/compplan until April 30.

On May 8, Joe Minicozzi from the Urban3 consulting agency will present an analysis of land use patterns and the cost of service provision in Athens-Clarke County.

Planning Department Director Bruce Lonnee emphasized the importance of public participation, stating, “Public input is crucial for creating a robust plan that reflects the values of our community while properly balancing the realities of our present conditions with expectations for our shared future.”

The mapping project began in the fall of 2023, aiming to guide community growth and service provision over the next 20 years. The initial stage, which occurred earlier, resulted in a Growth Concept Plan map and guiding principles accepted in January 2024 by the Mayor and Commission.

Subsequent phases involved property-specific considerations to form a Future Land Use Map aligned with the adopted guiding principles and the Growth Concept Plan. This map serves as a guide for land use density, character, and location based on a shared vision.

The Future Land Use Steering Committee, comprising 25 appointed community members, has reviewed and recommended amendments to the map. These proposed changes will be up for review during April's public sessions.

Further opportunities for public input will be available later this year as the process advances through the Planning Commission and then the Mayor and Commission to finalize the map. The map, alongside other policy decisions, will inform zoning code revisions, infrastructure planning, and updates to the state-mandated Comprehensive Plan.

For more information or to stay updated on the process, visit the Comprehensive Plan webpage at www.accgov.com/compplan or contact the ACCGov Planning Department at 706-613-3515.