City wants public's input on its plans

Augustans will have nine opportunities to shape the future of the city in the coming weeks.

Beginning Tuesday, the Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission will play host to a series of open house-style meetings to elicit feedback on its new comprehensive plan, a plan that will guide the city's growth by looking at where the community is, where it wants to go and how it should get there, Planning Director Paul DeCamp said.

The plan provides a "general focus for the future development of the city," he said.

The scope of the plan includes housing, economic development, transportation, community facilities and services, historic resources, natural resources and green space and land use.

"It's good for any community to do it at least once every five years," Mr. DeCamp said.

In 2004, the Augusta Commission adopted the current plan, and it has until Oct. 31 to approve a new one under state law. After three months of "crunching data," he said there is enough information to bring to the community to stir conversation.

Once complete, the plan will have an "implementation strategy" to take Augusta where its citizens want to go.

Mr. DeCamp encouraged the public to visit the planning commission's Web site at www.augustaga.gov/departments/planning_zoning/home.asp.

The site, which continues to be updated, includes more information about the new comprehensive plan and a copy of the current plan.

Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.