County 's growth plan ready for commissioners to review

A partial update to Columbia County's growth management plan is one step closer to completion.

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The Columbia County Planning Commission approved a resolution Thursday to send the updated plan to county commissioners at their Nov. 16 meeting. If approved, a copy will be sent to the Central Savannah River Area Regional Development Center and Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

For nearly eight months, county planning staff and an advisory committee, made up mainly of county officials and employees, worked on updating the comprehensive plan, which the state requires every five years.

Much of the revised plan centered on creating commercial corridors, which allow a range of development intensity.

Each corridor links a commercial node, which designates areas of intensified growth as a means of minimizing sprawl.

Before passing the resolution, planning commissioners made a minor change to create guidelines specifying the types of businesses allowed along corridors.

"Having a table identifying types of businesses we want in the corridor would make it much easier," said Planning Commissioner Thom Tuckey.

The updated version of the comprehensive plan must be complete by Feb. 28.

Also at the planning commission meeting, Development Authority Executive Director Troy Post, in conjunction with the county's Development Services Division, discussed a plan to conduct an urban redevelopment study for portions of central Martinez.

The study, incorporating sections of Bobby Jones Expressway, Washington Road and Martinez Boulevard, would identify prime areas of blight for residential and commercial redevelopment.

"One of the reasons we're interested in doing this stems from some of the discussion that took place with the GMP update," Post said.

The plan could also create a special designation, offering state tax credits for businesses investing or reinvesting in the area.

"It's a very powerful incentive for us to try to embark on this process," Post said.

Post said he plans to convene several advisory and public meetings in December.

In other planning and zoning business, Marshall Square developers received approval for a minor revision to the planned unit development on Evans Town Center Boulevard.

A fourth parcel designed for a medical office was requested on 2.7 acres along Allen Drive at Williamsburg Way. Already approved on the block are restaurants, office space and a hotel.

Planning commissioners also approved a preliminary plat for the Morning Falls subdivision off Evans to Locks Road as well as two temporary use permits, allowing a mobile home in Harlem and five trailers at the Milton Ruben dealership while the business undergoes renovation.