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APPENDIX C-1 – ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES SURVEY 327 Purpose of the Survey: The Augusta-Richmond County Comprehensive Plan document will guide the city’s growth and development for the next twenty (20) years. To do so, Augusta-Richmond County residents, property owners, business owners and community leaders must first identify key issues and opportunities that face the city. Please take a few minutes of your time to review this survey and provide us with your input. Section 1: Augusta Community Vision Statement Help develop a vision statement for Augusta by completing the following three sentences: 1) The one thing that I like most about Augusta is: 2) The one thing about Augusta that I would most like to change/enhance/improve is: 3) In the next ten (10) years, Augusta should become a city that: For more information about the comprehensive planning process; or, to return completed surveys, please contact: Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission 525 Telfair Street Augusta, GA 30901 (706) 821-1796 Augusta-Richmond County Comprehensive Plan Public Open House Issues and Opportunities Survey ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX C-1 – ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES SURVEY 328 What are the most important issues that face Augusta as it develops over the next twenty (20) years? As Augusta changes, what opportunities will Augusta have to improve its citizens’ quality of life? Section 2: Issues and Opportunities by Topic This section contains information and questions on seven topics that are being considered through the Augusta comprehensive planning process: population, economic development, housing, natural and cultural resources, community facilities and transportation. Please review the preliminary list of issues and opportunities identified for each topic. Feel free to add issues or opportunities that should be addressed. Tell us which items are the most important. Item Rank Issue/Opportunity A. Investing in public services and facilities that support population growth throughout the city. B. Increasing employment and housing options for Augusta’s young adult population to remain in town. C. Improving educational attainment figures to a level that is consistent with state-level education figures. D. Providing additional employment opportunities and/or incentives for residents with technical education degrees or training. E. Promoting local growth in employment options for an increasing number of residents with college educations. F. Increasing housing options and amenities that will attract more retirees to the city. G. Decreasing the consistently high percentage Augusta families living in poverty. H. Your Population Issue/Opportunity Here: I. Your Population Issue/Opportunity Here: Topic: POPULATION: Which of the following issues or opportunities regarding population do you feel are the most urgent (Need to be addressed first)? Please rank each issue with 1 representing the most urgent. (Note: If you feel a particular item should not be addressed at all, please leave the space blank.) ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX C-1 – ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES SURVEY 329 Item Rank Issue/Opportunity A. Continuing to diversify the economic base of the city and ensure employment opprotunities are avilable for the varying income levels of Augusta's population. B. Attracting new businesses that complement the existing mix of business and take advantage of our C. Providing the resources needed to develop more home-grown businesses. D. Ensuring that employment opportunities and business development occur throughout the city. E. Focusing business recruitment efforts on businesses in the fields of life sciences, customer service, aviation and the military. F. Enhancing employment options within the city that build on existing regional industry clusters anchored by medical, educational and military institutions. G. Providing Augusta's workforce with a variety of housing options. H. Collaborating with local and regional economic development agencies to develop a diverse economy base on multiple industry sectors and ensure employment opportunities in the city. I. Your Economic Development Issue/Opportunity Here: Topic: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Which of the following issues or opportunities regarding economic development do you feel are the most urgent (Need to be addressed first)? Please rank each issue with 1 representing the most urgent. (Note: If you feel a particular item should not be addressed at all, please leave the space blank.) Item Rank Issue/Opportunity A. Ensuring housing affordability and choice throughout the city. B. Meeting the housing needs of the homeless, the disabled and others in need. C. Removing dilapidated housing to the protect health, safety and welfare of residents and to facilitate the construction of new housing. D. Facilitating housing rehabilitation and new construction, especially in inner-city neighborhoods and other target areas. E. Providing flexibility in standards and regulations to permit a mix of housing types and densities in a single development E. Your Housing Issue/Opportunity Here: F. Your Housing Issue/Opportunity Here: Topic: HOUSING: Which of the following issues or opportunities regarding housing do you feel are the most urgent (Need to be addressed first)? Please rank each issue with 1 representing the most urgent. (Note: If you feel a particular item should not be addressed at all, please leave the space blank.) ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX C-1 – ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES SURVEY 330 Item Rank Issue/Opportunity A. _ Protecting the quality of surface drinking water sources (i.e. rivers, creeks,ponds, etc.) from the effects of new development. B. _ Protecting the quality of groundwater sources (i.e. aquifer recharge areas) located within the city from the effects of new development. C. _ Participating in the regional water planning process as outlined in the Georgia Statewide Water Management Plan. D. _ Encouraging the broader use of conservation subdivision design in new developments that preserves natural habitat in sensitive environmental areas such as floodplains. E. _ Implementing local and regional initiatives to improve air quality and educate the public about air quality issues. F. _ Coordinating with state or local organizations to promote the acquisition of additional greenspace and the management and protection of sensitive environmental areas. G. _ Reducing non-point source pollution of groundwater and surface water sources H. _ Implementing programs and activities to improve the appearance of historic neighborhoods and the downtown historic district. I. _ Participating in programs that result in the adaptive reuse of historic buildings and resources. J. _ Your Natural & Cultural Resources Issue/Opportunity Here: K. _ Your Natural & Cultural Resources Issue/Opportunity Here: Topic: NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES: Which of the following issues or opportunities regarding natural and cultural resources do you feel are the most urgent (Need to be addressed first)? Please rank each issue with 1 representing the most urgent. (Note: If you feel a particular item should not be addressed at all, please leave the space blank.) ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX C-1 – ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES SURVEY 331 Item Rank Issue/Opportunity A. Expanding and improving the municipal water and sewer systems to address current deficiencies and meet future demand Programming the addition of new public facilities and services in accordance with a Capital Imporvement Program B. Eliminating drainage problems within the city. C. Reducing the amount of impervious surfaces in new development and increasing tree planting/protection standards to reduce the amount of storm water runoff generated by a development site. D. Increasing the use of “low-impact” development alternatives that allow storm water to flow through filtration, detention and/or retention systems that allow for more natural treatment of runoff. E. Increasing the commitment to reduce solid waste disposal by increasing participation in household and yard waste recycling programs. F. Providing additional public park space and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. G. Making improvements to roads and bridges that enhance safety, reduce congestion and help guide growth to preferred locations. H. Supporting new and / or improved cultural and entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life and contribute to tourism and ecomnomic development I. Providing adequate public safety (law enforcement, fire protection and emergency services) facilities and services. J. Addressing the long-term space needs of city government. K. Your Community Facilities Issue/Opportunity Here: L. Your Community Facilities Issue/Opportunity Here: Topic: COMMUNITY FACILITIES: Which of the following issues or opportunities regarding community facilities do you feel are the most urgent (Need to be addressed first)? Please rank each issue with 1 representing the most urgent. (Note: If you feel a particular item should not be addressed at all, please leave the space blank.) ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX C-1 – ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES SURVEY 332 Item Rank Issue/Opportunity A. Improving traffic flow on congested roads. B. Promoting greater interconnectivity between streets and developments to reduce dependency on existing major highways. C. Manage the access of motor vehicles to and from private properties along major roads in order to decrease motor vehicle conflicts and accidents created by traffic entering and exiting highways. D. Increasing pedestrian safety and access to all portions of the city. E. Implement the on-street and off-street bicycle projects listed in the regional bicycle and pedestrian plan. F. Promoting higher-density development patterns to reduce distances between residential, retail and office areas. G. Increasing access to, and financing of public transportation. H. Addressing parking issues in downtown Augusta. I. Coordinating with the railroads to decrease noise, traffic delays and potential disruption of emergency service as a result of at-grade street crossings. J. Increasing access to and use of transportation facilities by the handicapped and disabled. K. Implementing components of an Intelligent Transportation System to make more efficient use of existing transportation system L. Ensuring long-term funding to meet street and sidewalk maintenance responsibilities. M. Your Transportation Issue/Opportunity Here: N. Your Transportation Issue/Opportunity Here: Topic: TRANSPORTATION: Which of the following issues or opportunities regarding transportation do you feel are the most urgent (Need to be addressed first)? Please rank each issue with 1 representing the most urgent. (Note: If you feel a particular item should not be addressed at all, please leave the space blank.) ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX C-1 – ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES SURVEY 333 Item Rank Issue/Opportunity A. The sprawl pattern of development in many parts of the city. B. Improving the appearance of gateways and commercial corridors C. Encouraging more traditional patterns of development that mix uses and create a more pedestrian-friendly environment. D. Encouraging more compact form of development by establishing town centers. E. Promoting infill development as a priority over development on the urban fringe. M. Your Land Use Issue/Opportunity Here: N. Your Land Use Issue/Opportunity Here: Topic: LAND USE: Which of the following issues or opportunities regarding land use do you feel are the most urgent (Need to be addressed first)? Please rank each issue with 1 representing the most urgent. (Note: If you feel a particular item should not be addressed at all, please leave the space blank.) Additional Comments (Any topic):