H = Hamilton

PM = Pine Mountain

WH = Waverly Hall

F = Fortson

WP = West Point

Housing
 

Strengths

Location

Diversity in land (meadows, mountains)

WP

Low municipal population, mostly county residents

WP

County has had planning for a long time

H

Lands and zoning in place

WP

Vacant land

PM

Rural character – green spaces / unique

F

Rural character

WP

Remains free of urban sprawl

WH

Building code

WH

Good bit of undeveloped land with potential

H

Low cost of living

WH

Strong housing stock

PM

Relatively low cost of living

WP

Good bedroom community for Columbus

WH

Challenges

Location

Lack of affordable housing

H

Home size larger than family size

WH

Lack of affordable housing

WP

Issues

Location

Affordable housing for residents

WH

Zoning and land use – enforced and unified

PM

Land -- much is owned by absentee landowners

WP

Conflict between private property rights vs. zoning

WP

Use impact fees to provide services/control growth

WH

Need to hire a full-time engineer to guide and plan growth

WP

Planning decisions about what we want (work with county commissioners)

PM

Need planned, balanced development

WH

Protect

Location

Safety of children (traffic) freedom to roam

WH

Residential areas

WP

That “rural” feel / quality of life

WP

Integrity of small town atmosphere, quality of life

WH

Land (from inappropriate uses)

WP

HC 2020 Goals

Location

Protect ourselves from light pollution and noise pollution

PM

Riparian buffers

PM

Building codes that keep community's architectural building guidelines

PM

Infrastructure that can handle growth

PM

Want to have at least 3 gravel roads left in the county

PM

Don’t want sprawl; want managed growth

PM

Complete land use plan with stringent zoning controls

PM

Some way to preserve agricultural heritage

H

Enforce riparian buffers along rivers

H

Public transportation (local, Columbus, Atlanta, etc.)

H

An appropriate business/restaurant balance

H

Keep integrity of area - land, buildings, trees, etc.

H

Protect surface water to maintain quality

H

Planned transportation

WH

Don't become "solid city" want green space

WH

Strong planning county-wide commission

WH

Harris County Georgia Chamber of Commerce
Post Office Box 426, 159 S. College Street

Hamilton, Georgia 31811
(706) 628-0010 or (888) 478-0010
E-mail: info@harriscountychamber.org
FAX: 706-628-4429