Bryan County’s comprehensive plan advisory committee is gearing up for what will likely be their last meeting Tuesday followed by two public workshops Tuesday and Thursday, May 20 and 22, for community participation.
"The primary purpose of Tuesday night’s meeting is for the committee to review the future development map and defining narrative so changes can be made based on the committee’s input before the public workshops later this month," said Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center Historic Preservation Planner Mary Beth Bass. "I would anticipate this to be their final meeting, but it will be up to the committee and (County Administrator Phil Jones) if they need to meet again."
While Tuesday’s meeting is for the advisory committee to wrap things up, it is open and the community can attend and listen.
The second and final round of public workshops for all Bryan County, Pembroke and Richmond Hill residents will be Tuesday, May 20, in Pembroke at the Dixie Harn Community Center and Thursday, May 22, in Richmond Hill at City Hall. Both meetings will start at 6:30 p.m.
The CGRDC is hoping the workshops will have a good turnout from the local community, who will have the opportunity to learn more, ask questions and provide input and feedback.
"The purpose of these meetings will be to give the public, regardless of place of residence, the opportunity to review the community agenda and future development maps for the county and two cities," Bass said. "The CGRDC staff will be on-hand to answer questions and take comments and feedback."
Bass said the community agenda is an important document because it will guide the day-to-day decision-making process for future development and growth in Bryan County.
"It is the action piece of the comprehensive plan that provides policies and implementation items that will not only execute the community’s vision for the future, but also addresses the issues and opportunities originally identified in the comp plan’s community assessment," she said. "The future development map provides a geographic depiction of where – and how – development will occur throughout Bryan County."
The presentation of Bryan County’s joint comprehensive plan community agenda – for Bryan County, Pembroke and Richmond Hill – will go before the public June 3, including a public hearing.
The CGRDC Board of Commissioners is slated to pass a resolution to present the plan to the CGRDC and the Department of Community Affairs for review in July.
Once the CGRDC and DCA approve the plan’s agenda, it will be sent back to the county where the Board of Commissioners must adopt it before the Oct. 31 deadline, which is required for the county to keep its qualified local government certification.