The mission of the HOGARC Planning staff is to help local communities bring their unique visions to life by supporting local governments with a wide range of technical programs and services at both the local and regional levels. Our role is to empower communities to make informed, strategic decisions about land use, infrastructure, public services, economic development, the preservation of natural and cultural resources, and government policies. By functioning like an extension of local government staff, we provide tailored services to help communities thrive in ways that reflect their priorities and aspirations.
Comprehensive Planning
The 1989 Georgia Planning Act requires each local government to update its comprehensive plan every five years to stay eligible for state loans, grants, and permits. In partnership with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the HOGARC planning staff assists local governments in preparing joint comprehensive plans that define the local vision and goals, identify each community’s needs and opportunities, and develop a community work program to address those needs. For a local project to qualify for state funding or grants, it must be included in the comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan is shaped by input from both local leaders and community members. This collaborative approach helps build broad support and provides a roadmap for future development.
Local Planning and Design
Compared to comprehensive plans, community development documents are prepared at a smaller scale and involve more detailed or targeted analyses. Our expertise spans downtown redevelopment plans, transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, housing, land use, corridor studies, infrastructure, strategic planning and other specialized project areas. We also offer concept design services for sites, architectural façades, and streetscape enhancements to help bring ideas to life.
Downtown Master Plans – LINK
Local Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans – LINK
Local Transit Plans – LINK
Regional Planning
The HOGARC planning staff prepares, maintains, and implements regional plans and assists local governments with multi-jurisdictional projects upon request.
HOGARC Regional Plan – LINK
HOGARC Resource Management Plan – LINK
HOGARC Regional Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan – LINK
Developments of Regional Impact (DRI)
Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs) are large-scale developments that may possibly have effects outside the jurisdiction in which they are located. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) requires local governments to submit developments that exceed a certain threshold (LINK) to the respective Regional Commission to initiate a review. If a local government does not comply with DRI rules, it can lose its Qualified Local Government status and thereby become ineligible for state funding.
The HOGARC plan staff handles the DRI review process for local governments. The process requires notification and the submission of a site plan, zoning map, and future land use or character areas map when a development meets the DRI threshold. Local governments cannot take action until the DRI process is complete.
If you anticipate a large-scale project that may meet the DRI threshold in your community, please contact aweaver@hogarc.org to confirm whether a DRI review process is required.
DRI Threshold – LINK – DCA is currently in the process of updating the threshold table.
Ordinances/Regulations Creation, Update, Implementation
The HOGARC planning staff assists local governments in reviewing and updating existing ordinances and in developing new ones. Support in this area includes comprehensive technical assistance related to the day-to-day operations and management of local government functions.
Hazard Mitigation Plans
The RC planning staff assists local governments in updating their Hazard Mitigation Plans by providing comprehensive support throughout the planning process. This includes helping to prepare written plan updates, coordinating meetings among local stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements. Through this collaborative approach, the RC planning staff helps communities identify and prioritize strategies to reduce vulnerability to natural hazards, strengthen local resilience, and maintain eligibility for federal hazard mitigation funding.
Service Delivery Strategy
The Georgia Service Delivery Act requires periodic updates to local governments’ service delivery strategies. HOGARC planning staff assists local governments in updating their Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) agreements by coordinating the associated planning processes and preparing written updates.
Historic Preservation
The Heart of Georgia Altamaha Region is home to numerous historic places and structures. HOGARC planning staff partners with the Historic Preservation Division to provide technical assistance in historic preservation to local governments.
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