Final Comprehensive Plan 2018
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Glynn County Comprehensive Plan Glynn County Comprehensive Plan October 2018 Glynn County Comprehensive Plan Special Acknowledgments A special acknowledgement for members of the Mainland and Islands Steering Committees who dedicated their time, expertise and resources for this project. Their participation in the planning process, data gathering exercises, and document review contributed significantly to the preparation of this Comprehensive Plan. The Mainland and Islands Steering Committee Membership included the following individuals: Mainland Steering Committee: Ashby Nix Worley Ben Slade Missy Neu Harry Kenneth James Mary C. Harris Markisha Butler Jimmy Arnold Scott Ryfun Jon Watkins Darrell Dawson Terry K. Driggers Gary Nevill Gene E. Moore Tim Murphy Aaron Carone Bill Edgy Barrette Walker Islands Steering Committee: Nicole Rodgers Cesar Rodriguez Rosalind Sheppard David Pope Elaine Connell George Ragsdale Justin Callaway Mark Spaulding Martin Seidman Skip Mounts Donald G. Myers Ed Meadows Anne Ambrose Odessa Rooks Ivan Figueroa Patrick Duncan The Team of Ecological Planning Group, LLC and RS&H, Inc. assisted Glynn County and Steering Committees with preparation of this report. A special acknowledgment is noted for Pamela Thompson, the Glynn County Community Development Director, and her planning team, who provided significant support and guidance to both the Steering Committees and the County’s consultants. 35 Abercorn Street, Suite 210 Savannah, Georgia 31401 www.ecologicalplanning.net (912) 656-1316 7 E. Congress Street, Suite 402 E Savannah, Georgia 31401 Phone: (912) 236-3540 October 2018 i Glynn County Comprehensive Plan Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................1 2 SETTING THE STAGE ....................................................................................................................2 3 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ...................................................................................................... 12 4 GLYNN COUNTY STRATEGIC VISION ........................................................................................... 19 5 NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES ..................................................................................................... 25 6 LAND USE .................................................................................................................................. 33 7 TRANSPORTATION .................................................................................................................... 84 8 COMMUNITY WORK PROGRAM ............................................................................................... 103 APPENDIX: REPORT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS ................................................................................... 119 List of Figures Figure 1: Population Projections for Unincorporated Glynn County and the Entire County, including the City of Brunswick. ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Figure 2: Age Composition in Glynn County in 2015 .................................................................................... 6 Figure 3: Educational Attainment within Glynn County in 2015 .................................................................... 6 Figure 4: Median Household Income within Glynn County in 2015 .............................................................. 7 Figure 5: Existing Land Use within Glynn County ....................................................................................... 35 Figure 6: Existing Land Use on St. Simons Island Glynn County .............................................................. 37 Figure 7: Character Areas ........................................................................................................................... 39 Figure 8: Future Land Use Map .................................................................................................................. 83 Figure 9. Non-Motorized Facilities .............................................................................................................. 87 Figure 10. Glynn County Metropolitan Planning Area ............................................................................... 91 Figure 11. Roadway Level of Service Classification .................................................................................. 93 Figure 12. 2010 Roadway Level of Service ............................................................................................... 95 List of Tables Table 1: Vacancy Characteristics Reported in 2010 Census ....................................................................... 5 Table 2: County Health Rankings for Two Primary Categories (Health Outcomes & Factors) .................... 8 Table 3: Mainland Land Use Comparison ................................................................................................... 34 Table 4: Islands Land Use Comparison ...................................................................................................... 36 Table 5: Brunswick Area Transportation Study (BATS) 2040 Short-Term Project List .............................. 96 Table 6: Brunswick Area Transportation Study (BATS) 2040 Future Projects List .................................... 96 Table 7: Transportation Issues and Opportunities .................................................................................... 100 Table 8: Community Work Program .......................................................................................................... 105 Table 9: Report of Accomplishments ........................................................................................................ 119 October 2018 ii Glynn County Comprehensive Plan 1 Introduction Glynn County has developed this Comprehensive Plan to plot the future course for the unincorporated County, while recognizing and preserving the unique characteristics of the island communities and the mainland. This Comprehensive Plan is intended to celebrate what is special about Glynn County, while also encouraging the kind of economic revitalization that will improve the quality of life for the County’s residents. This Comprehensive Plan is Howfyl-Broadfield Plantation supplemented by two addenda: 1) a Data Assessment, which includes an analysis of Census and other demographic information and 2) a Public Participation Program Report, which summarizes the results of the public input received during this process. Furthermore, the Brunswick Area Transportation Study (BATS) Metropolitan Transportation Plan should be considered a companion document to this Comprehensive Plan. Planning Scope The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) administers the rules and regulations for Comprehensive Planning in the State of Georgia. These rules provide local governments a framework for the development, management and implementation of local comprehensive plans. Effective local planning is essential to the State of Georgia’s overall economic prosperity. The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A) Section 50-8-1 established authority for the DCA to define minimum standards and procedures for developing comprehensive plans for local governments in the State of Georgia. These standards and procedures are designed to help the County prepare a plan that identifies immediate needs within the community and looks for opportunities to allow the County to achieve its vision for the future. An adopted Comprehensive Plan allows the County to maintain its “qualified local government status,” which makes the County eligible for selected state funding and permitting programs. Glynn County addressed the elements required by DCA’s minimum standards and procedures and exceeded these requirements by conducting additional analysis on other planning elements. The following required elements are included in the County’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan: Community Goals, Needs and Opportunities, and Community Work Program. As a community that has adopted a Zoning Ordinance and one that is also a member of a Metropolitan Planning Organization, Glynn County is required to adopt a Comprehensive Plan that addresses land use and transportation. In addition, the County has also addressed the planning elements of housing; economic development; natural, cultural, historic resources; resiliency, community wellness; and intergovernmental coordination throughout this document. In preparing this Comprehensive Plan, Glynn County has addressed and exceeded the minimum planning elements required by DCA. The findings of the plan will inform an update of the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances as well as other development codes that will begin immediately after adoption of this plan and will be a key tool for implementation of the recommendations contained herein. October 2018 1 Glynn County Comprehensive Plan 2 Setting the Stage History of Glynn County Located on Georgia’s southeastern coast, Glynn County is 422 square miles in size and comprises the City of Brunswick, Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and the unincorporated mainland between the Little Satilla River to the south and the Altamaha River to the north. Brunswick, the county seat, is the only incorporated area in Glynn County. On February 5, 1777, Glynn County was established as the seventh of the eight original Fort Frederica National Monument