Office of Planning&

Quality Growth

Helping communities address issues of growth, development, and quality of life…

Planning & Quality GrowthDCA’s planning and quality growthassistance is aimed at helpingcommunities address issues ofgrowth, development and quality of lifethrough implementation of recognizedbest practices for planning and growthmanagement.

Planning & Quality Growth

Tools to Use for Quality Growth…

Tools To Use…Advisory Clinics - Panel of experts,made available at major in-stateconferences for brief individualconsultation and advice on localplanning and growth managementissues.

Tools To Use…(cont.)Direct Technical Assistance –Hands-on expert assistance with abroad range of planning and quality growth issues.

Tools To Use …(cont.)Georgia Examples –Details and contact information aboutlocal planning and growthmanagement success stories thathave already happened in-state.

Tools To Use …(cont.)Model Code –Relatively simple set of land use management techniques, providingviable alternatives to conventionalzoning, and organized to allowcommunities to tailor regulations to fitlocal circumstances.

Tools To Use …(cont.)Comprehensive Planning –Working with local governments todevelop plans for future developmentand managing their growth.

Tools To Use …(cont.)Quality Growth Assessment –Review of growth patterns, andplanning practices to identifyopportunities for improving localplanning and growth management.

Tools To Use …(cont.)Resource Teams –On-site visits by a team of experts whohelp develop a comprehensivestrategy for improving local planningand growth management.

Tools To Use …(cont.)Planning Toolkit –Practical, how-to-do-it informationabout a broad range of planning andgrowth management best practices.

Tools To Use …(cont.)Community Preference Tool –Useful tool for measuring citizen’spreference for different types ofdevelopment.

Promoting Quality GrowthSince implementation of quality growth is certainlyoptional for Georgia’s local governments, thedepartment’s overall approach to promoting qualitygrowth implementation has included: • Marketing: taking advantage of opportunities to

tell local officials (and other stakeholders) about the benefits of quality growth.

• Information: making information about quality growth best practices (including model ordinances, how-to-do-it guides, etc.) available to local officials.

Promoting Quality Growth …(cont.)

• Examples: spreading word about quality growth success stories within the state, and helping connect local officials seeking to implement particular best practices with their peers who already have.

• Assistance: providing direct technical and financial assistance to those local governments that are ready to implement quality growth best practices.

Strategic PartnershipsOPQG partners with the more than 40other organizations of the GeorgiaQuality Growth Partnership indeveloping a website, toolkit, andlegislative initiatives to encourage theuse of quality growth conceptsthroughout the state.

Environmental ConcernsThe Office of Planning and QualityGrowth is Planning for a SustainableFuture…

Planning for aSustainable Future …(cont.)

DCA encourages and assists communities inrealizing their vision for a sustainable future.Our local and regional planning, quality growth, and environmental management programs offerinnovative solutions that can provide Georgia’scommunities an improved quality of life.Benefits include equitable access for allcitizens, cleaner air and water, more walkable neighborhoods, and compact developmentpatterns that make more efficient use of publicinfrastructure.

Planning for aSustainable Future …(cont.)

The Model Code is a one-stop shop for a variety of regulations designed for communities with limited capacity toprepare and administer these types of tools.Along with traditional tools, such assubdivision regulations, the code introducesa variety of alternative and innovativeapproaches such as a Land Use GuidanceSystem and Design Guidelines.

Planning for a Sustainable Future …(cont.)

The Board of the Department of CommunityAffairs adopted the Quality CommunityObjectives (QCOs) as a statement of thedevelopment patterns and options that willhelp Georgia preserve its unique cultural,natural and historic resources while lookingto the future and developing to its fullestpotential. All DCA programs and servicesare committed to supporting and balancing15 core objectives.

Planning for a Sustainable Future …(cont.)

These important elements of “community building” include:

• Heritage Preservation• Sense of Place• Environmental Protection• Growth Preparedness• Appropriate Businesses• Educational Opportunities• Housing Choices• Regional Cooperation• Regional Solutions• Employment Options• Regional Identity• Infill Development• Traditional Neighborhoods• Open Space Preservations• Transportation Alternatives

Planning for a Sustainable Future …(cont.)

The Quality Growth Toolkit providesadvice to local governments on toolsthat may be used to put qualitypractice at the local level. The toolkitcomprises a variety of resources thatare available to assist with theimplementation of quality growth bestpractices.

Planning for aSustainable Future …(cont.)

Preservation, Protection & Conservation are in our tool kit:

• Abandoned or Contaminated Properties• Disappearing rural scenery• Environmental pollution problems (water bodies, air,

etc.)• Inadequate protections of historic resources• New development locating in areas that should not be

developed – such as farmland or environmentally sensitive areas

• Not enough greenspace or parkland• Too many trees lost to new development

Planning & Quality Growth

Helping communities address issuesof growth, development, and qualityof life…

Planning & Quality Growth

For more information, log on towww.dca.state.ga.us

orwww.georgiaplanning.com