2017 STEWART COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Allison Slocum River Valley Regional Commission 1/1/2017 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK i Stewart County Vision Statement A successful Stewart County is a community with new businesses Priority Projects scattered throughout the county, affordable housing for everyone, well-maintained roads and bridges, and county water available to all 1. Hannahatchee Bridge Right-of- residents. Way work We want Stewart County to be a drug-free place where citizens and 2. Trotman Road elected officials work together to improve the community. We want improvements all residents of Stewart County to have a job and an affordable, healthy and safe home. We want to use our plentiful natural 3. Dan Brinson resources, state and local parks, and abundant available land to Road housing project draw new residents to Stewart County. With sincere, ethical elected officials collaborating with local residents in a community-wide effort, 4. Impact of we can address these needs and become a progressive Stewart Georgia Power County. Plant Stewart County Goals o Make residents more aware of county, state and federal resources to improve their quality of life. o Promote and maintain a stable economic environment for Stewart County. o Improve housing options and conditions throughout Stewart County. o Increase Public awareness of natural and cultural resources and conservation. o Provide essential recreational facilities that are well-maintained and accessible to all residents. o Provide facilities for essential medical care and wellness for residents of Stewart County. o Maintain environmentally sound infrastructure to protect the public safety, health and welfare. o Provide essential public safety and emergency services to protect the public health, safety and welfare of Stewart County residents. o Provide essential governmental facilities that are well-maintained and accessible to all Stewart County residents. o Provide an environmentally sound and economically feasible means of solid waste collection and disposal. o Promote Stewart County as a healthy, attractive and efficient community. o Provide for safe, efficient and well-maintained access to property in the county and for through-routes for local and regional travelers. o Maintain an open and cooperative relationship with surrounding jurisdictions and concerned entities. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 Organization of the Comprehensive Plan Update.......................................................................................1 Purpose ...........................................................................................................................................................2 Identification of Stakeholders .......................................................................................................................2 Citizen Notification and Public Meetings ....................................................................................................2 Public Hearings ..............................................................................................................................................2 COMMUNITY DATA, NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES ..................... 5 Population .......................................................................................................................................................5 Community Facilities .....................................................................................................................................6 Identified Needs and Opportunities ............................................................................................................7 Transportation ...............................................................................................................................................9 Identified Needs and Opportunities ......................................................................................................... 14 Housing .........................................................................................................................................................14 Identified Needs and Opportunities ......................................................................................................... 16 Economic Development ...............................................................................................................................17 Identified Needs and Opportunities ......................................................................................................... 22 Natural Resources ........................................................................................................................................22 Water Resources Planning ........................................................................................................................ 23 Water Supply Watersheds ........................................................................................................................ 23 Groundwater Recharge Areas ................................................................................................................... 23 Wetlands ................................................................................................................................................... 24 Flood Plains ............................................................................................................................................... 24 Soil Types .................................................................................................................................................. 24 Slopes ........................................................................................................................................................ 25 Protected River Corridors ......................................................................................................................... 25 Prime Agricultural and Forest Land .......................................................................................................... 27 Plant and Animal Habitats......................................................................................................................... 27 Major Park, Recreation and Conservation Areas ...................................................................................... 30 Identified Needs and Opportunities ......................................................................................................... 32 Identified Needs and Opportunities ......................................................................................................... 35 Intergovernmental Coordination................................................................................................................37 Identified Needs and Opportunities ......................................................................................................... 37 LAND USE ................................................................................................. 39 Existing Land Use ........................................................................................................................................39 iii Existing Development Patterns ...................................................................................................................39 Identified Needs and Opportunities ......................................................................................................... 41 Future Land Use ..........................................................................................................................................44 Areas Requiring Special Attention .............................................................................................................44 Significant Natural Resources ................................................................................................................... 44 Significant Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................... 45 Areas Where Development is Likely to Occur or Areas Where Development May Outpace Availability of Facilities and Services ............................................................................................................................... 45 Areas with Significant In-fill Development Opportunities ........................................................................ 47 Brownfields ............................................................................................................................................... 47 Areas of Disinvestment ............................................................................................................................. 47 CHARACTER AREAS ............................................................................. 51 Conservation, Natural and Cultural Resources, State Parks, and Preserves .........................................51 Vision ......................................................................................................................................................... 51 Description of Character Area................................................................................................................... 51 Land Uses or Zoning categories to be allowed ........................................................................................