Speaking up for the community’s future

Residents and elected officials spoke at a May 11 public hearing for the Joint Comprehensive Plan update for White County, Cleveland and Helen, but those who were not present have a little more time to give their input through a community survey.

Tuesday’s public hearing was the latest stage of a months-long process for officials developing the plan’s five-year update.

The state-mandated comprehensive plan serves as a roadmap for community growth and economic development, helping with strategies for infrastructure, land use, and quality of life improvements. Identifying and planning for these needs and opportunities in the document is also vital for seeking grant funding and other financial aid for related projects.

Among the topics discussed at the hearing were:

• Using Yonah Preserve Trails for its economic impact drawing hikers and bicyclists and increasing bike paths on county roads. County officials have long identified the trails as a boost to the area and continue working on future development of the site.

• Leveraging the characteristics of the county’s different districts for mapping and tourism marketing purposes. 

• The county has a lot to offer for new residents and for new businesses. Infrastructure will continue to be a key for job creation and affordable housing opportunities.

• The desire for a new library to increase the available space used to serve a growing community.

• Agriculture remains a key component of the county’s strengths, both economically and in natural beauty of lush fields.

County Manager Jason Cobb noted while work is being done on the required five-year update, officials don’t have to wait that long for make changes if opportunities arise. He encouraged the public to continue to reach out.

“This document is a working, living document that can be amended at any time. Things come up. Just because [something is] not in there, doesn’t mean the governing bodies won’t look at it,” Cobb said.

Joe Rothwell, regional planner for the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, said officials have had a “fantastic response” from the community survey. The roughly 440 respondents so far are about double that received in 2016, he said.

Rothwell said the survey will be open for about two more weeks, then the comprehensive plan update will be submitted to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for review. The document will ultimately come back to the county and cities for final adoption.

The survey can be accessed at www.surveymonkey.com/r/WhiteCountyCleveland-Helen or downloaded from whitecounty.net. Hard copies are also available at the White County Board of Commissioners office.