Planning  Services

The Commission provides a wide range of general planning services to its member governments. Typical planning assistance services include:  preparing local government comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, and subdivision regulations; responding to general planning and zoning questions; condicting local strategic planning forums; preparing special environmental plans; and preparing downtown revitalizations plans. The Commission maintains demographic and socio-economic data on the local governments, serves as a State Data Center repository, and prepares municipal and county redistricting plans.

Planning staff also engage in regional planning efforts, often in concert with the State’s other eleven regions and with State agencies. Ongoing regional planning projects include:
  • preparing annual updates of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the East Alabama Region;
  • providing staff support for and facilitating the East Alabama Rural Planning Organization (RPO); and
  • initiating a coordinated public transit-human services transportation planning process for the East Alabama region.

Commission Staff conducted the Community Livability in the East Alabama Region (CLEAR Plan 2030) project. This endeavor is intended to be a long term process of helping communities throughout the region enhance their resources so they may better serve residents and businesses. Another project goal is to provide a mechanism for communication among local governments and other agencies, allowing for increased collaboration and information sharing.

The Commission also prepares documents that support grant writing activities, such as the County Hazard Mitigation Plans and Emergency Operations Plans. Staff provide technical assistance for contingency planning and Department of Homeland Security initiatives, for responding to National Flood Insurance Program requirements, and for compliance with federal requirements such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Planning staff also provides administrative support to the Chambers County Enterprise Community Board. The Enterprise Community (EC) encompasses the western portion of Chambers County and qualified for federal designation, funding, and tax benefits for ten years beginning December 21, 1994. The EC Board currently oversees funds received from mortgage payments on an EC-funded speculative building.

CONTACTInformation

For more information regarding Planning services contact:

Eric Wrightdirector of planning