Property Web site overhauled

Checking records on your home or taking a peek at someone else's house has never been so easy.

And soon in Richmond County you could get even more from a new Maps On Line site, including a 360-degree view of properties.

"The new site will be similar to the old site, but with a new view and more information and functionality," said Billy Yates, of the county's Geographic Information Systems division in the Information Technology Department. "Along with the new site, we will be adding a program called Pictometry. ... This program offers a 360-degree view of a property from a 40-degree oblique angle."

The new site, which also will allow people to check permits that have been issued for a property, will be on display along with other GIS features at a public forum from noon to 3 p.m. today at Augusta State University.

Mr. Yates said his department hopes to get feedback on the new site at the event. He said he expects the site to be operational by January or February.

The current site already offers aerial views of homes, sales history for properties, past tax bills, homeowners' names and assessors' sketches of properties.

Information is put on the site as soon as it is recorded in the tax assessors office and is updated nightly.

Mr. Yates said his office tries to update aerial photos every four years, but that might change to every two years with the Pictometry software.

Columbia County GIS officials also will be on hand at today's event, which is part of GIS Day, an international recognition of online mapping functions.

Mary Howard, Columbia County's GIS manager, said her department's site should be getting a new design by early summer. She said aerial photos are updated every two years, with the next flyover set for February. She said it will take about six months after that to have the photos processed and uploaded.

Mr. Yates said the government mapping sites are used extensively by real estate agencies, property appraisers and out-of-state investment firms, which has significantly reduced foot traffic at tax assessors offices. He cited statistics showing that Augusta's site had more than 29 million hits last year, accounting for more than 426,000 visitors. Emergency workers also use GIS technology in responding to calls.

"Along with property information, we offer locations of such amenities as parks, biking trails, shopping, churches, community centers and other points of interest," Mr. Yates said of the site.

Mr. Yates said GIS is a growing field.

"It is also our hope that in the future ASU will offer a GIS curriculum since it is a career that is quickly becoming in high demand with a shortfall of trained work force."

Reach Preston Sparks at (706) 823-3338 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com