§ 6.1. Longterm and Shortterm Policies for Physical Development

1.

Longterm—The patterns of population growth and land development should foster an economically sound, socially effective, physically attractive, and healthful area in which to reside.

2.

Longterm—Land development should reinforce optimum individual freedom of choice, opportunity, and mobility.

(Criteria to implement policies)

A.

Physical growth will be planned in an orderly and efficient manner.

B.

New development will be tied to the ability of Meriwether County to extend utilities, improve roads, and build new education facilities.

C.

The County's planning program will take the greatest possible advantage of the strengths [and] flexibility of the private real estate market.

D.

A variety of housing types and densities will be encouraged.

3.

Shortterm—Standards and programs should be developed and adopted by the County which maintain and enhance the quality of existing natural environment and protect the natural environment during development.

4.

Shortterm—A cooperative effort should be undertaken between all departments of the Meriwether County government that provide direct impact on development in the county. Similarly, existing codes and regulations should be incorporated with future plans and ordinances to provide clarity and consistency when establishing cooperative relations with individual developers.

Although a Future Land Use Plan and a Zoning Ordinance are similar in many ways, they are two entirely separate entities. They cannot be used interchangeably. The land use plan provides county officials with a guide and with a basis for making logical zoning decisions.

The Future Land Use Plan will enable county officials to control and regulate growth in Meriwether County. The Zoning Ordinance is the vehicle for legally implementing the plan.

Legally, the Future Land Use Plan establishes the criteria for zoning decisions.