Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 110 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Chapter 110-12 - MINIMUM STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES
Subject 110-12-6 - STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR REGIONAL PLANNING "REGIONAL PLANNING REQUIREMENTS"
Rule 110-12-6-.05 - Data and Mapping Specifications

(a) Population. Identify trends and issues in population growth and significant changes in the demographic characteristics of the region, considering such factors as:

* Total Population. Evaluate how the total population of the region has changed in recent years, what is projected for the future, and how the region compares, in terms of growth rate, to other areas.

* Age Distribution. Evaluate the region's age groupings and how these are projected to change over time. Identify implications for the region.

* Race and Ethnicity. Evaluate the region's racial and ethnic composition, how it is changing, and how it compares to neighboring communities. Identify implications these future trends will have for the region.

* Income. Evaluate income levels, income distribution and poverty levels in the region and how these have changed and are expected to change over time.

(b) Economic Development. Identify trends and issues relating to the economic characteristics of the region, considering such factors as:

* Economic Base. Evaluate the various sectors or industries that constitute the region's economy in terms of their relative importance and impact, including the region's place in the larger economies of the state and the nation.

* Labor Force. Evaluate characteristics of the region's labor force, including employment status, occupations, personal income, wages and commuting patterns.

* Economic Resources. Evaluate the development agencies, programs, tools, education, training and other economic resources available to the region's businesses and residents.

* Economic Trends. Evaluate economic trends that are ongoing in the region, including which sectors, industries or employers are declining and which are growing. Also evaluate any unique economic situations, major employers and important new developments for their impact on the region.

(c) Housing. Consider the following factors to evaluate the adequacy and suitability of existing housing stock to serve current and future regional needs.

* Housing Types & Mix. Evaluate the composition and quality of the region's housing stock, how it has changed over time, recent trends in the types of housing being provided, and whether there is a good mix of types (including modular, mobile or stick-built), sizes, and multi-family vs. single family throughout the region.

* Condition and Occupancy. Evaluate the age and condition of housing in the region as well as the proportion of units that are owner-occupied and renter-occupied, plus vacancy rates for owners and renter units.

* Cost of Housing. Evaluate the cost of housing in the region, both for owners and renters, in terms of affordability for residents and workers in the region.

* Cost-Burdened Households. Evaluate the needs of households that are cost-burdened (paying 30% or more of net income on total housing costs) and severely cost-burdened (paying 50% or more of net income on total housing costs). Also evaluate the relationship of local housing costs and availability to the socioeconomic characteristics of these households, including income, income from social security or public assistance, employment status, occupation, household type, age of householder, household size, race, and unit type.

* Special Housing Needs. Evaluate special housing needs in the region (e.g., housing needs of residents who are elderly; homeless; victims of domestic violence; migrant farm workers; persons with mental, physical, or developmental disabilities; persons with HIV/AIDS; and persons recovering from substance abuse) using information obtained from local service providers on caseloads, waiting lists, etc.

* Jobs-Housing Balance. Evaluate housing costs compared to wages and household incomes of the resident and nonresident workforce to determine whether sufficient affordable housing is available and appropriately distributed within the region to allow people to live near where they work. Data on the commuting patterns of the resident and nonresident workforce may assist in determining whether there is a jobs-housing balance issue in the region. Also evaluate any barriers that may prevent a significant proportion of the region's nonresident workforce from residing in the jurisdiction, such as a lack of suitable or affordable housing, suitably zoned land, etc.

(d) Community Facilities and Services. Evaluate the level of service provision throughout the region. At a minimum, the following services should be considered: water supply and treatment, sewerage systems and wastewater treatment, fire protection, public safety, parks and recreation, storm-water management, solid waste management facilities, and broadband.

(e) Transportation System. Map the service areas and/or levels of services for the following major components of the local transportation system. Evaluate the adequacy these components for serving needs of the region throughout the planning period.

* Road Network. Identify roads, highways and bridges. Also identify any significant issues with the road network, including connectivity and safety.

* Alternative Modes. Identify bicycle corridors, pedestrian facilities and public transportation or other services for populations without automobiles, Also identify areas of the region where mode choice is limited.

* Railroads, Trucking, Port Facilities and Airports. Identify freight and passenger rail lines, major rail intermodal facilities, non-rail freight operations, seaports, harbors, and commercial and general purpose air terminals. Evaluate the impact of these on the overall transportation network.

* Transportation and Land Use Connection. Identify areas of the region experiencing significant traffic congestion or having significantly underutilized transportation facilities. Evaluate the role of land use (e.g., scale of development, inefficient development patterns) in this mismatch of facility capacity and demand.

(a) Digital Format. Maps submitted in digital form must be provided as digital vector map products, using the shapefile format, or other digital format approved by the Department, via a Department-approved exchange media or electronic transfer method.

(b) Base Maps. Base or reference maps must equal or exceed the scale, accuracy, precision, and feature content of the equivalent map made available by the Department. They must use the Georgia Coordinate System of 1985 as defined in the Official Code of Georgia 44-4-20 through 44-4-31, or use latitude and longitude coordinates based on the North American Datum of 1983.

(c) Boundaries. All administrative or political boundaries on maps submitted to the Department must include the latest available boundaries from the U.S. Bureau of the Census. In the event that the U.S. Census boundary map provided on the Department's website does not represent current municipal boundaries, due to recent annexations or de-annexations that have not yet been reported through the official U.S. Bureau of the Census Boundary and Annexation Survey update process, the plan preparer must use the most accurate representation of boundaries available. However, in cases where it is necessary to submit such alternate boundaries to the Department, the affected municipality is advised that O.C.G.A. 36-36-3 requires cities to report all annexations to the Department. Consequently, the municipality will be expected to participate in the next annual Boundary and Annexation Survey to reconcile these differences in their boundary map.