Americus and Sumter County Comprehensive Plan 2017-2027 i ii City of Americus Sumter County Hon. Barry Blount Hon. Randy Howard Mayor Commission Chairman Hon. Carla Cook Hon. Clay Jones Hon. Juanita Wilson Commission Vice-Chairman Dr. Shirley Green-Reese Hon. Mark Waddell Hon. Lou Chase Hon. George Torbert Hon. Daryl Dowdell Hon. Thomas Jordan Hon. Nelson Brown Bill Twomey Mr. Steve Kennedy County Administrator City Manager Rayetta Floyd Paula Martin County Clerk City Clerk iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Vision Statement We envision Americus-Sumter County as a vibrant, culturally-diverse community with an excellent educational system, a well-balanced transportation network, an appropriate balance of industry, retail, restaurants, corporations and housing stock that provide quality development for the places we live, work, learn and play. We will utilize our land, , GEORGIA make public investments and manage our natural and cultural resources in a manner that Y encourages growth that is both economically viable and environmentally responsible in order to build a robust future for all citizens. Community Objectives Economic Prosperity Resource Management Development and expansion of suitable Efficient use of natural resources and protection businesses and industries of environmentally sensitive areas Efficient Land Use Local Preparedness Maximize use of existing infrastructure and Establish prerequisites for the type of future the minimize costly conversion of undeveloped land community seeks to achieve Sense of Place Regional Cooperation Protect and enhance the community’s unique Cooperate with neighboring jurisdictions to ad- qualities dress shared needs Housing Options Transportation Options Promote safe, affordable, inclusive, and Address the transportation needs, challenges resource efficient housing in the community and opportunities of all community residents Educational Opportunities Community Health Make educational and training opportunities Provide access to critical goods and services, readily available safe and clean neighborhoods, and good work AMERICUS and SUMTER COUNT opportunities Quality of Life Enhance daily living with access to wholesome food, clean air and water, enjoyment of nature, conservation of natural resources, security from crime, and protection form toxic substances iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction .................................................................................................. 1 Purpose ...................................................................................................... 1 Comprehensive Planning Process .............................................................. 1 Identification of Stakeholders ................................................................. 2 Participation Techniques ........................................................................ 2 Past Planning Efforts .............................................................................. 3 Data, Needs and Opportunities ..................................................................... 5 Population .................................................................................................. 5 Community Facilities ................................................................................. 8 Community Owned Buildings ................................................................. 8 Utilities .................................................................................................. 10 Planning and Zoning ............................................................................. 12 Fire Protection ...................................................................................... 12 Law Enforcement .................................................................................. 14 Emergency Medical Service .................................................................. 14 Needs and Opportunities ...................................................................... 14 Transportation ..........................................................................................15 Needs and Opportunities ...................................................................... 19 Housing .................................................................................................... 20 Identified Needs and Opportunities ..................................................... 24 Economic Development ........................................................................... 25 Needs and Opportunities ...................................................................... 32 Health ....................................................................................................... 33 Needs and Opportunities ...................................................................... 36 Education ................................................................................................. 36 v Needs and Opportunities ...................................................................... 38 Quality of Life ........................................................................................... 38 Needs and Opportunities ...................................................................... 39 Natural Resources .................................................................................... 39 Water Resources Planning .................................................................... 39 Water Supply Watersheds ..................................................................... 40 Groundwater Recharge Areas ............................................................... 41 Wetlands ............................................................................................... 43 Flood Plains .......................................................................................... 43 Soil Types .............................................................................................. 44 Slopes .................................................................................................... 48 Protected River Corridors ..................................................................... 48 Prime Agricultural and Forest Land ..................................................... 48 Plant and Animal Habitats .................................................................... 49 Major Park, Recreation and Conservation Areas .................................. 52 Needs and Opportunities ...................................................................... 56 Cultural Resources ................................................................................... 57 City of Americus .................................................................................... 57 Sumter County ...................................................................................... 58 Needs and Opportunities ...................................................................... 59 Intergovernmental Coordination ............................................................. 59 Needs and Opportunities ...................................................................... 60 Land Use...................................................................................................... 61 Existing Land Use .................................................................................... 61 Existing Development Patterns ............................................................ 61 Needs and Opportunities ...................................................................... 63 Future Land Use ....................................................................................... 66 Areas Requiring Special Attention ........................................................ 70 vi Vision, Objectives and Policies .................................................................... 76 Vision Statement ...................................................................................... 76 Community Objectives ............................................................................. 76 Economic Prosperity ............................................................................. 76 Resource Management .......................................................................... 78 Efficient Land Use ................................................................................. 80 Local Preparedness ............................................................................... 81 Sense of Place ........................................................................................ 82 Regional Cooperation ........................................................................... 83 Housing Options ................................................................................... 84 Transportation Options ........................................................................ 85 Educational Opportunities .................................................................... 86 Community Health ................................................................................ 87 Quality of Life ........................................................................................ 88 Report of Accomplishments ........................................................................ 89 Sumter County Report of Accomplishments 2013 - 2017 ........................ 90 Americus Report of Accomplishments 2013 – 2017 ................................ 94 Community Work Program ....................................................................... 100 Sumter County Community Work Program 2017