New Standards for Local

Comprehensive Planning

Seeking A Better Fit for Georgia’s Communities

A Brief HistoryHow We Got Here

• The Planning Act – 1980s Context

• A Different Situation since 2008 Economic Downturn

• Criticisms of DCA’s Rules• 2011 Legislation and Veto• Advisory Task Force

Planning Advisory Task ForceOrganization # of Reps Request…Voting Members

DCA 1 Appoint Chairman from DCA Board

ACCG 3 Appoint three county officials*GMA 3 Appoint three city officials*Georgia Economic Developers Association 2 Appoint two membersHomebuilders Association of Georgia 1 Appoint one memberGeorgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives 1 Appoint one member

Georgia Association of Regional Commissions 2 Appoint two senior Commission staffers**

Georgia Planning Association 1 Appoint one memberGeorgia Association of Zoning Administrators 1 Appoint one memberDNR 1 Send one memberGDOT 1 Send one memberGRTA 1 Send one memberGEFA 1 Send one memberGDEcD 1 Send one member

Total voting members 20Ex-officio MembersACCG 1 Send one staff membersGMA 1 Send one staff membersGeorgia Association of Regional Commissions 1 Send one staff membersLivable Communities Coalition 1 Send one memberUrban Land Institute 1 Send one memberGeorgia Conservancy 1 Send one member

Guiding Principles Behind the New Planning Rules

• Simpler (Reduced Cost)

• Flexible (Local Choice)

• Custom Fit

• Incentives

• Continuity

• State Use of Local Plans

Reducing the Cost of Planning

Regional Commissions have agreed to prepare the comprehensive plan at NO COST to the community:• For core elements of the

comprehensive plan • At normal plan update deadline

DCA will provide all data needed for planning on its website

$

Overview of the New Standards

• Menu of Plan Elements (Community Chooses)

• Brief, Flexible Guidance

• Only Three Elements are Required of All

• Five Elements are Required for Some Communities (depending on local conditions)

• Substitution of Existing Plans/Elements Encouraged

• Maximum of Three Elements Updated Every Five Years, Remainder Updated at Local Discretion

LAND USE HOUSINGECONOMIC DEVELOP-

MENT

TRANSPOR-TATION

REQUIREDfor all

REQUIRED for some communities

COMMUNITYGOALS

NEEDS &OPPORTUNITIES

COMMUNITYWORK

PROGRAM

OPTIONALelements

TARGET AREASETC.

GREENSPACE

NATURAL RESOURCES

COMMUNITYSUSTAIN-ABILITY

EDUCATION

INTER-GOVERNMENTCOORDINAT’N

DISASTER PREPARED-

NESS

PUBLIC SAFETY

Menu of Plan Elements

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

REQUIREDfor all

NEEDS &OPPORTUN-

ITIES

COMMUNITYWORK

PROGRAM

Three Required Elements

The Community Vision: what you want the community to become

COMMUNITYGOALS

REQUIREDfor all

COMMUNITYGOALS

COMMUNITYWORK

PROGRAM

Three Required Elements

Key needs or opportunities the community wants to address

NEEDS &OPPORTUNITIES

REQUIREDfor all

COMMUNITYGOALS

NEEDS &OPPORTUN-

ITIES

Three Required Elements

The Community’s project list, for addressing issues, achieving goals

COMMUNITYWORK PROGRAM

Elements Required for Some

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

LANDUSE

TRANSPORT-ATION

HOUSING

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ELEMENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

REQUIRED for communities in Job Tax Credit Tier 1

REQUIRED for some communities

Elements Required for Some

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

LANDUSE

TRANSPORT-ATION

HOUSING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

LANDUSE

ELEMENT

REQUIRED for communities with zoning

Elements Required for Some

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

LANDUSE

TRANSPORT-ATION

HOUSING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

TRANSPORT-ATION

ELEMENT

REQUIRED for communities in an MPO

Elements Required for Some

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

LANDUSE

TRANSPORT-ATION

HOUSING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

HOUSING ELEMENT

REQUIRED for HUD Entitlement communities

Elements Required for Some

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

LANDUSE

TRANSPORT-ATION

HOUSING

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

ELEMENT

REQUIRED for communities charging impact fees

LAND USE HOUSINGECONOMIC DEVELOP-

MENT

TRANSPOR-TATION

REQUIREDfor all

REQUIRED for some communities

COMMUNITYGOALS

NEEDS &OPPORTUNITIES

COMMUNITYWORK

PROGRAM

OPTIONALelements

TARGET AREASETC.

GREENSPACE

NATURAL RESOURCES

COMMUNITYSUSTAIN-ABILITY

EDUCATION

INTER-GOVERNMENTCOORDINAT’N

DISASTER PREPARED-

NESS

PUBLIC SAFETY

Optional Elements

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

CHARACTERISTICS:

• 450 Population No Growth

• Tier 1 for Tax Credits

• No Zoning

• Not in an MPO

• Not HUD Entitlement

• No Historic Districts

• No Impact Fees

Example: City ATHEIR (Required) PLAN:

• Community Goals

• Needs and Opportunities

• Community Work Program

• Economic Development Element

• Desired Optional Elements+

CHARACTERISTICS:

• 5717 Population

• Tier 1 for Tax Credits

• No Zoning

• Included in an MPO

• Not HUD Entitlement

• No Impact Fees

Example: City BTHEIR (Required) PLAN:

• Three Core Elements

• Economic Development Element

• Transportation Element

• Desired Optional Elements+

CHARACTERISTICS:

• 75,124 Population

• Tier 3 for Tax Credits

• Zoning

• Included in an MPO

• HUD Entitlement

• No Impact Fees

Example: County CTHEIR (Required) PLAN:

• Three Core Elements

• Land Use Element

• Transportation Element

• Housing Element

• Desired Optional Elements+

Next Steps

• 10/10/12 - Public comment period ends 11/7/12 - Action by DCA Board 1/1/13 - New planning rules effective

• Incentive program launched early 2013o QLG = Community of Opportunityo Effective plan implementation earns Signature

Community Designation

• Legislative action during 2013 session