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In 1989, the State of Georgia adopted the Georgia Planning Act. This act established minimum planning standards and procedures for comprehensive planning by county and city governments in the state. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs administers this act. The minimum standards call for the development of a 20 year comprehensive plan every 10 years. Fulton County's new plan will cover the years 2005 to 2025. Fulton County calls the process for development of the new plan Focus Fulton. The plan will be reviewed by the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The completed plan will be adopted by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. The deadline for completing the process and adopting the plan is October 31, 2005.
Focus Fulton is the first countywide planning process undertaken since 1988. The process will address population, economic development, housing, natural and cultural resources, community facilities and services, transportation, land use, and intergovernmental coordination. The ultimate goal is to produce a comprehensive plan that will provide focus and guidance to citizens and policy makers when making planning and service delivery decisions. Moreover, Focus Fulton will serve as a policy tool to guide future growth and development.
The Focus Fulton process started in January 2004. Important stakeholders in this effort include the general public, civic groups, community organizations, homeowner associations, Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Fulton County Department of Environment and Community Development, Fulton County staff, and the Focus Fulton Steering Committee. Various methods will be used to collect and disseminate information to these groups as this process goes forward. This web site and email are integral tools in our process of conveying information to all who are participating in this effort.
The Minimum Planning Standards establish a three step process to develop a comprehensive plan.
These steps are:
1. Inventory existing conditions.
2. Assess current and future needs.
3. Articulate goals and implementation program.
The Minimum Planning Standards establishes these planning elements:
Fulton County has established a six phase planning process to meet these standards:
1.Work with the Focus Fulton Steering Committee and the public to review and make recommendations on
the required plan elements.
2.Draft the plan.
3.Receive public input on the final draft plan.
4.Obtain approval of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners to submit plan to the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)
and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
5.Submit plan to the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
for review and comment.
6. Adoption of the plan by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.
There will be four results of this planning effort:
1.Fulton County will meet or exceed Georgia's plan requirements for comprehensive planning by a local goverment.
2.Fulton County will produce and maintain an online interactive comprehensive plan.
3.Fulton County will produce a concise policy document for the Board of Commissioners and the public.
4.Fulton County will produce a strategy for a unified work program for Fulton County staff.
Fulton County changed dramatically over the last 15 years. Quality of life, employment opportunities, and the County's natural beauty continue to make Fulton one of the premier places to live, work, and play. The key to maintaining this quality of life and shaping future development is the comprehensive plan.