South Douglas Scenic Byway

At the September 14 Public Open House, there were a number of questions about zoning.  County staff shared a copy of the zoning map.  (The map here includes the base zoning district in the area, but excludes overlay districts for the sake of legibility.)

The area captured in the Scenic Byway study boundary includes approximately 29,500 acres. Of the total acreage, about 80% of the land falls within a traditional residential zoning district – either R-LD (Residential Low Density Zoning District) or RA (Residential Agricultural Zoning District).

Approximately 15% of the total acreage is included in a residential or non-residential Planned Unit Development.  Of these 4,500 acres, the residential planned unit development is most common.  A planned unit development signifies that a project was developed with site specific regulations governed by a master plan.

Less than 4% of the land falls under a non-residential district. The Scenic Byway designation does not anticipate changing any of the base zoning in the district.  The county is evaluating alternatives that will preserve viewsheds and buffers and maximize the conservation of environmentally sensitive areas. This includes the preservation of existing zoning entitlements and opportunities for creative design sensitive to the natural environment.

The Corridor Management Plan will include an extensive analysis of existing zoning conditions and will present options for preserving density neutral build out of the area.  Join us November 16 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse for the second public open house to learn more.

Thanks very much to everyone who joined use for the first public open house on September 14 at the Douglas County Courthouse.  Approximately 60 people came through between 4:00-6:00 p.m.  County staff were available to answer questions, and citizens left feedback on a series of 8 presentation boards.

At the October 1 Steering Committee Meeting, county staff summarized the top 5 frequently asked questions from the Public Open House.  Keep an eye on the blog for more information about the development of the Corridor Management Plan.  And mark you calendar for our next public open house on Tuesday, November 16 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse. See you there!

The next meeting of the project Steering Committee will be August 20, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at the Dog River Library.  The Draft Scenic Byway Designation Application will be discussed as a prelude to initiating the development of the Corridor Management Plan. In addition to the history and context documented through the initial analysis of the corridor, eight potential Corridor Management Issues have been identified. This list was developed based on preliminary feedback and discussion among the project Steering Committee and other stakeholders along Byway Corridor.   Additional description of each potential issue is provided in the full text of the Draft Scenic Byway Designation Application. These issues, and any others identified by community members, will be included in the final Corridor Management Plan.  

Potential Corridor Management Issues

1. Tell the Story. Information documented in the plan is just a start.  There is more context to understand and more stories to know. 
2. Balance preservation and growth. The undeveloped character of the area may present unique opportunities for the future in the face of pressure to transition the existing land use. 
3. Ensure environmental projection. Protection of critical environmental resources is critical to both ecological balance and quality of life. 
4. Direct resources to the implementation of outcomes. Planning to sustain the western part of Douglas County balances opportunities for growth in the eastern part of the county. 
5. Protect property and development rights. Preservation and conservation will need to balance the protection of private property and development rights. 
6. Manage anticipated infrastructure improvements. A thoughtful strategy for growth will enhance the financial investment made for infrastructure. 
7. Maintain the transportation function of the corridor. The transportation function of the corridor must be maintained for both commercial and non-commercial traffic. 
8. Communicate with stakeholders and constituents. Public meetings, corridor tours, and social media provide different opportunities to reach stakeholders. 

Save the date for the first Public Open House on the South Douglas Scenic Byway.  This will be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse, 8700 Hospital Drive, Douglasville, GA 30134.  A second meeting is scheduled for November. Meetings are free and open to the public.  Tell you family and neighbors!