LONG RANGE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING

Long range comprehensive planning efforts attempt to guide and direct growth through the development of plans, policies and ordinances that preserve the character and enhance the livability of the City.  The City’s Planning and Development staff tracks land use and population statistics, prepares development policies and code amendments, and maintains all elements of the Gainesville Comprehensive Plan as required by State law.  More specifically, the Department’s long range planning responsibilities entail maintaining the Gainesville Comprehensive Plan, and formulating and amending the Comprehensive Plan and the City’s land use regulations to implement the Comprehensive Plan. 

The Planning and Development Department provides staff support to the volunteer citizen Planning and Appeals Board and oversees the amendment process for the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Land Development Code.  This Department also collaborates with Hall County, other local governments, the State, and federal agencies, organizations, and programs working together to guide the region toward a balanced and sustainable future.

Gainesville Comprehensive Plan

As required by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the City of Gainesville must complete and maintain a comprehensive plan pursuant to the Georgia Planning Act of 1989.  The comprehensive plan is a statement of community policy as to future growth and development over a long range (i.e. 20 years or longer), and serves as a guide to decision-making on various issues related to growth and development (e.g. zoning, redevelopment, etc.).  It plans for the physical development of a community and is concerned with various aspects of the community, including such things as land use; infrastructure; housing; and environmental features.  The comprehensive plan attempts to balance quality of life, economic health, private property needs, and public fiscal responsibility.  In short, the Comprehensive Plan is the City’s vision for the future.

In the fall of 2002, the City of Gainesville, in collaboration with Hall County, contracted with a private consulting team to prepare a major update to its 1994 Comprehensive Plan.  This process unfolded over an 18-month period and involved extensive community outreach and involvement, along with in-depth analysis of a wide variety of land use, economic, demographic, environmental and public service forces and trends that have shaped the City and which continue to set the stage for the future.  The Gainesville 2025 Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the City Council in June 2004, following review by the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Center (GMRDC) and DCA, and is available for review. 

Questions concerning this plan should be directed to Kip Padgett, Director of Planning and Development, via email or by calling (770) 531-6570.

Future Land Use Map

The Gainesville Future Land Use Map that accompanies the 2025 Comprehensive Plan reflects an urban development pattern that seeks to address the challenges of infill and redevelopment, while accommodating the City’s need to grow.  This map classifies properties located within the municipal boundary as well as indicates the land use classifications for the adjoining unincorporated Hall County areas.  Paper copies can be obtained from the Gainesville Department of Planning and Development GIS Analyst by calling (770) 531-6570.