Barrow County's road map for the future - developed in the process of public involvement which is state-mandated comprehensive planning - was presented to the Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

Two documents, summarized by PowerPoint-presenting consultants, will be the guide or reference point for implementation of that road map to where Barrow County residents and stakeholders have indicated they want the county to go.

The Barrow County Comprehensive Plan 2007-2027, was presented by Lee Walton of MACTEC Engineering,

The Barrow County Comprehensive Transportation Plan was done in coordination with the Comp Plan. Marta Rosen of Jacobs Carter Burgess said, "Transportation supports land use, it does not drive land use."

A Supplemental Study of Cross-County Route was also generated after it was learned the West Winder Bypass was pushed out into the long range by the Georgia Department of Transportation's budget woes.

Walton said the short-range work program part of the Comprehensive Plan provides leaders with assistance with their annual budgeting process. Long-range work programs give direction for added planning.

The involvement of the public was noted by Walton, Rosen and Barrow County Planning Director Guy Herring. The kickoff meeting was held in April 2006 and visioning workshops, framework workshops, an open house and multiple public hearings give the community numerous opportunities to provide input into the plan development for both the Comprehensive Plan and the transportation plan.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center have also reviewed the plans and returned them for final adoption.

Herring said the municipalities will have adoption of the resolution on their regular August meeting agendas so that the commissioners' Aug. 26 meeting will be the final resolution adoption for the complete plans.

The Comp Plan identifies critical issues and opportunities for Barrow County and its municipalities and provides implementation strategies for addressing those issues and opportunities, Walton said.

A number of city elected officials and staffers were in attendance and Walton went through a short list of the vision each city's participants has developed for their respective communities.

Bethlehem, for example, will seek to preserve and promote its rural smalltown feeling along with taking advantage of the economic opportunities which proximity to Highway 316 provides for the town. A vibrant downtown is also desired for Bethlehem with the smalltown atmosphere being enhanced by complete offerings for citizens.

Winder also seeks to focus on its downtown as a hub for commerce for the entire county, said Walton. Commuter rail could provide other transportation alternatives to Athens and Atlanta, and revitalization of downtown as well as in other section of the city which need cleaning up to maximize economic potential.

The 18-month vision-based plan found citizens taking part in crafting of the mission statement for their communities. The final document is no surprise, said Herring, who noted the input from the community had helped formulate the Comp Plan with its Future Development map and character areas and Comprehensive Transportation Plan. Both plans can be seen online at www.barrowga.org or copies can be viewed in the Barrow County Planning Office at the Administrative Annex at 233 E. Broad St., in Winder.

Originally published Wednesday, July 23, 2008