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JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Pickens County and Cities of Jasper, Nelson and Talking Rock 2008 - 2030 Community Participation Program Citizen Questionnaire COLLECTION OF COMMENTS How about having the train to and from Blue Ridge through to Tate? Preserve Jasper’s Train Depot! If coming thru Jasper – hello merchants, wouldn’t you want it? Take some of the millions that we are going in debt anyway and put it towards the depot. The courthouse doesn’t need $17 million! This would revitalize downtown. More firefighters and give them the equipment to do their jobs. Stop the corruption. Spend money wisely. Need a “multi-board” of commissioners. I believe you forgot a problem or two – like animal control. The more people the more animals!!! What about animal control. We are disgusted with all the cigarette butts that are thrown out on the streets. Receptacles should be placed for smokers to put their butts in. At the last cruise in on Main Street (last year) the air was so permeated with cigarette smoke that it was awful!! The City of Jasper has too many empty run down buildings. These buildings are an eyesore. The City should take charge to see that these areas are cleaned up and cleaned out immediately. Would like to see our Mayor and our commissioner quit acting like two little boys fussing on the play ground. Stop urban sprawl. 1) Pickens County is growing at a rate that is too fast. Only if the county can’t stay ahead of it by not planning and forecasting properly. Like growth for more opportunity, but needs to be controlled for quality of life. Who’s benefiting? It doesn’t seem to be the citizens. 2) Pickens County has unique characteristics that should be preserved. Downtown Jasper (27x) Natural beauty, views (numerous) Courthouse (numerous) Mountain/scenic views (43x) Rural (numerous) Woodland nature areas Farms (12x) Forests (22x) Historic Buildings (2x) such as train depot Railroad Quaint small town feel (numerous xs) Friendly people Marble quarry Tate – charming Large rural areas (agriculture, timber) (traditionally) Planned activities in park Compact city/retail/commercial Native American sites Large areas of undeveloped or pasture land Cemeteries The character of the buildings in Jasper Federal Road Preserve open land for recreation, etc. Streams (2x) Main Street, update with trees and nice lamp posts. Our marble heritage Store fronts, no bright blue buildings Small town community Anything marble, we are marble capital you know. No traffic What happens if take apples out of Gilmer? Great place to raise kids. Beautiful mountain roads and quaint downtown areas Not highly congested Streams, wildlife, old part of town. Tate Depot 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- Too much traffic is ruining area. Peace and quiet No big retail stores – Walmart/Target (2x) Jail Good charities Good newspaper Beginning of Appalachian Mountains. Marble industry – need museum Native American history Gateway to the mountains. Relatively clean air Heavy tree cover Mountains/Trees/Community Mines Old Federal Road history Old buildings, courthouse, and Talking Rock Creek, trees Local rural communities should be identified and preserved The open land of hills and meadows in the west end of the county Each of the towns has very unique characteristics that should absolutely be preserved. Small town rural atmosphere, less traffic on roads, agricultural base A mix of open land, scenic views, farmland and residential areas – please keep a proper balance. Keep the rural feeling. No high density subdivisions. Old mine area on Cove Road could be made into a county park. Mountains don’t need homes all over ruining natural beauty Help preserve our “downtown”, Find a way to stop Wal-Mart or make it difficult for them. Mountains, wildlife, streams, rocks, quarry and history of old towns A rural setting without excessive shopping areas. Open spaces and uncrowded landscaping. Our mountains but those big ugly houses hanging out of Big Canoe and Bent Tree is too much. Mountains should be preserved – stop so much cutting trees and burning. A large part of the county should retain the rural laid, back lifestyle. Proper enforced land use will aid in the process. Rural acreage, low population, need to encourage more agriculture and less residential development. You make more off sustained agriculture than housing and commercial development. Most people use housing as a short term investment, therefore causing a loss not a gain in taxes. Pickens also has a lot of historical value to preserve. Train depot is a mess – needs to be renovated and used for tourism, history, or something else. Current owners could care less. Clean streams, architectural integrity of communities. Small town, main street, foothills of beautiful mountains. Easy access to Atlanta, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. Historical characteristics – If we continue to develop, our small town life will be no more. Small town with historical buildings, mountains that must be preserved for the wildlife and clean air and water for all, the train and its depot. Downtown needs to be advertised more and preserved. Rural character with large undeveloped areas that provide beautiful views and access to nature. Open spaces, small town feel, and friendly neighbors Commercial development and residential development should have visual appeal. Great amenities without the urban sprawl and traffic. Rural, forested vistas, lack of congested highways and roads. Growth, especially commercial, should not be allowed to overrun the rural character of the county. Keep mountains free from over-development. Prevent high density housing developments. Also keep lot sizes to minimum 1 acre for subdivisions. Pickens County has still quiet a bit of agricultural property and with Pickens County being noted as having the first Mountain City; I would like to still have that hometown charm. Most streams are sterile – no fish. All the strangers wanting to change things to what they moved away from. Old hones and buildings, mountains Marble history and mountain road access and maintaining road side trash pick up. Small town atmosphere, good mix of locals/move ins and excellent climate topography Pickens has avoided the growth that has hit Gilmer and Cherokee counties. 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beautiful rural areas, woods for animals and birds, streams and creeks running, farms stretching over fields with horses and cattle, no congestion of subdivisions and being just a beautiful country area. Working outhouses, an abundance of dirt roads, homes still heated by coal, true Appalachian living. This should remain a small country town, not another Canton. No freeway through the town. Lack of rampant commercialism off of Hwy. 515. 3) The City of Jasper has unique characteristics that should be preserved. Downtown Jasper (109x) Courthouse (20x) Small town (4x) Main Street (3x) Parks Could be more charming Small horse farms and cattle in the west side Historic homes/buildings 10 acres or more to preserve communities Creeks Old homes – light on main street – great Railroad, Depot Keeping water towers All that is historic or scenic Small town atmosphere, minimal traffic. Great place to live Old parts of town, mountain views Traffic Home town, mom and pop stores Farmer’s market (2x) Pedestrian friendly downtown (2x) Mountains and streams A functioning downtown Marble industry core center Looks good – brick sidewalks, etc., helps build tourism All buildings being built should look like those on main street. All commercial and industrial buildings should be off 515 where they are not seen. Save downtown, protect the history and bring the history to life. The older city boundaries have some areas (part of downtown) with “Town” character. Some of the better built historic buildings on Main Street, and the mountain views. Train Depot, old homes, downtown architecture. Beautify it by “period” upgrading and setting rules and regulations, don’t modernize it by tearing down and putting in Walgreens! Get rid of the blue building color. Paint is cheap. The whole idea of a viable downtown and neighborhood around such live park and recreation in one area. Commercial building along 515 should be strictly regulated. We don’t need a Wal-Mart. Pickens County needs more parks, sidewalks, more police and street lights. Wonderful old buildings, quaint downtown area – wooded byways Downtown area could apply for federal/state grants for beautification projects, ie., Hendersonville, NC. Rework “Woodbridge” bridge – but keep its character. Doing a good job with Old Jail and House. Fireworks, Art Association, Marble Festival and parades Pedestrian attractions and architectural character Jasper has a lot of historical value that needs preserving. Main Street needs to remain residential and not business. Residential neighborhoods should have and get assistance for maintenance. Tate Depot needs to be renovated and preserved. Woodbridge, courthouse, old jail, others. Active downtown – architectural integrity. Historical characteristics – our city is not large enough to house all the new businesses and traffic that comes with too much growth. We have historical buildings and small town living, we must preserve this. Downtown community needs to be advertised on 515 (like Ellijay/Blue Ridge/Talking Rock are) to draw tourism in and to keep the businesses going. Small town feel, with small merchants instead of franchised chains. Historical buildings New commercial development should conform to the historical environment. Art Center, old jail, and Newton Park As being noted as the first Mountain City would love for it to still to have the hometown charm. 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- Strongly agree – but most have already been destroyed. Only if county and cities come together and work together. The charm of being a small, quiet town, unique to other larger towns. 4) The City of Nelson has unique characteristics that should be preserved. Downtown residential nature Marble Buildings (all) Company housing Churches No more subdivisions Old homes etc. Dr. Turk House Depot, trains Historic sites Nelson needs a big clean up. Nelson should be dissolved. (2x) The old Black Church in Smokey Holler Community layout of mill town Historical flavor architecture. Historical value, residential areas need to remain residential. Marble plant, control growth and keep small town feel. There are some historical buildings – the train, GA Marble Nelson Plant. This area could use a little growth. History of families, small non congested city. 5) The City of Talking Rock has unique characteristics that should be preserved. Downtown (108x) Historical - school Keep the antique character (3x) and old homes Small town The tree that has face carved in it. Creek (2x) Old “downtown” area – could be infilled in character. Antique shops (5x) All buildings should look the same as Main Street. Train (3x) Lovely little streets Historic resources/structures Old homes Old Hwy. 5 Shopping History Was Saunderstown - historic houses Would like to see more unique shops. Talking Rock should be dissolved. Mystery of Talking Rock Unique downtown Stream side community – rare in Pickens County A very unique place – no fast food, etc., to mess up the feeling. Historical value, organize residential areas and limit growth. Centralize downtown and make buildings as early 1900’s architecture. Should have been the Depot Railroad, Old School, Old Motel Creek The forest needs to be preserved. We have a limited amount of water. There should be no subdivision commercial in above towns. People can shop somewhere else. Capitalize on the name and origin – continue to utilize old school – park and natural plantings along creek. There are historical markers here also that should remain preserved even though the City itself could use a little growth. Development should enhance the beauty of the river. Great little village, more specialty shops. A quiet hamlet appearance and feel. Current mix of retail is perfect for Talking Rock. Talking Rock is so small, as is most people never realize they just passed through it. A true mountain small town environment. The “never met a stranger” attitude. Quiet, simple, Christian living. 6) The majority of future commercial development should be concentrated along SR 515 and SR 53 in and around the City of Jasper in order to leave other parts of the county rural. 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- Not city, no car lots, no tall signage. You need something called a PLAN to properly development this county. Spread out – maintain beauty Strongly disagree – should be around 515 and 53, but not just City of Jasper. Agree – there also needs to be other commerce centers as well. Foothills is a good example. 7) Commercial development should be allowed along the entire length of SR 515 from the Cherokee County line to the Gilmer County line. Needs to be off road Ruining beauty of mountains Keep open spots for sight seeing, picnics, etc. Dangerous intersections No, it’s bad enough. Must have limited access. No way to stop it. Agree with good front and pleasing architecture (trees, flowers, lighting, and low signs) Yes, but only if business set back, good landscaping, and not traffic lights, should be side access like at Fatz. Strongly disagree – should concentrate near major intersections. Commercial development should not destroy the residential neighborhoods on Hwy. 515, such as houses on Green Valley Farm Road. Agree w/keeping of the savings of our trees and wildlife. 8) Development along SR 515 has been satisfactory in regards to traffic control, signs and billboards, tree preservation (or re-planting) and landscaping. Ugly signs Not enough trees left along 515 (5x) We need over and underpasses now. Too many billboards, traffic is frightening. (3x) Disagree – Landscaping expectations could be raised. Need better traffic control. Need traffic light at Camp Road and Salem Church Road. What tree preservation? Waffle House/Racetrack Alley is visually unappealing; however, the development with bakery and gift shop up the highway is very nice! Don’t accept billboards, it cheapens the look of the county. 9) Commercial development is appropriate at other highway crossroads in the county. Disagree, growing so fast can’t keep up. Agree if done with visual appeal that’s too close to residences. South – yes and North – no (population dictates). 10) Rural and agricultural areas in the county are appropriate locations for large-scale residential development. Agree with requirements for open space within, etc. Strongly disagree – not enough water. Strongly disagree – pave paradise put in a parking lot. Agree if done properly. Brings element that a “small” town can’t survive on. I feel most of our agricultural property should stay as is. Agree – but not for high density or PUDs. Limit to 1-2 acre lots with mandatory green space. 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 5 ---PAGE BREAK--- 11) If large scale residential developments are proposed in rural and agricultural areas, they should be required to preserve some of the land as greenbelts, wildlife corridors, or open space rather than platting all of the land in residential lots. Do a better job than Cherokee please. Strongly agree - 75-80% greenbelt. 12) In order to keep up with recreation needs in the county, large scale residential developments should be required to provide recreational areas that can support the new community. We need county wide options open to all. This should not be a developer’s responsibility. By the builder’s not current taxes or rate increase. Agree – but in coordination with county recreation department. 13) Sprawl development is a problem in the county. Along 515 especially. Racetrack/Waffle House Alley on 515 is an example of urban sprawl. Doesn’t seem to be a “plan” just build wherever. 14) Mixed use developments where people can live, work, shop and play in the same community is a concept that should be explored in Pickens County. What is 515 for? Hurts the merchants that are already here. It has worked in other counties. Mixed use development don’t work. Don’t create another Woodstock. 15) Public water services should eventually be extended to all parts of the county. Only if City in charge. County charges too much! And employees are smart butts. Under one authority. With the exception of home owners, have the right to choose public or wells. The part of the county that is developed. 16) Public sanitary sewer service needs to be expanded. Agree to some extent. 17) Public sanitary sewer service should be provided in the unincorporated areas of the county. As dollars permit. 18) The expansion of public water and sewer should be done in an orderly, phased fashion consistent with the land use plan. 19) Since water resources and their efficient management are essential for future growth, should an independent, non-political authority be established to govern the water resources contained within Pickens County? In general, I am never in favor of more government regulations. The people who don’t want to capitalize are not in favor of future growth. 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 6 ---PAGE BREAK--- Trick question of sorts Water and sewer are two aspects of the same problem – one agency should manage both. Already too much of a one man band in Pickens County now! Easier said than done. 20) New industrial developments should be located in the county to provide higher wage job opportunities. Not downtown Depends on industry, etc. Agree within reason. Yes, but try to feel what is already there first. If jobs are for 90% of Locals. New people come with new jobs. Strongly agree with new “Non-polluting and environmentally” industrial developments. But only if its buildings are designed to blend in with the landscape and strong emphasis on smog and waste control or all revenues going to the city bank account. Higher paying jobs don’t have to be industrial in nature. Bring in very high speed cheap internet to attract more white collar high paying jobs. 21) The county and cities should aggressively recruit new industry that is compatible with local resources and consider offering incentives to attract industry. Who pays? Only environmentally conscientious industry. Depends on nature of incentives. Small businesses/factories only, properly zoned. With hesitation – what incentives would be used and would the taxpayers/citizens have a say so? 22) More should be done to develop and promote tourism in the county. Strongly disagree - Keep people out. If the train came thru here – I bet they would come. Strongly Agree, especially the fact that this County held one of the strongest and highest intelligent native Indian tribes that ever (and still does) existed, the Cherokee. Our mayor has made it clear how he feels about part of my ancestors and he has no right to deny the Cherokee their part in the development of Pickens County!!! 23) Our downtown areas are in need of improvements. Jasper: Parking/Traffic (mentioned numerous times) Highway 5 south is “junkie” Hold store owners accountable for their looks. More landscaping/trees (2x) Sidewalks needed Uniform store fronts. Need a master plan to guide future development. Traffic, need a better flow of traffic. Accent marble heritage more. Lower speed limits. Add parking, better safer parking areas. Public toilets Stop U and J turns at north end. Skating Park Remove and replace outdated ugly commercial buildings. Red light at Jasper Drug needs a sign telling those going toward 515 that the right turn lane must turn. Too many out of town people get in that land and go straight. Recreate unique “old” downtown theme; redevelop aged facilities (2x), clean up “eyesore” areas throughout city, signage to match! Clean up blue building (NAPA building) “Mentioned numerous times in various ways.” 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 7 ---PAGE BREAK--- Outside cafes, trees, flowers, boutiques, antiques, inviting, charming, wider sidewalks, less attorneys, more shopping. We want to spend our money downtown in Jasper, but there isn’t any store really to shop in (unique apparel, bookstore, home goods). Rehab train depot, revitalize railroad from Blue Ridge, Ellijay to Tate, maintain and enhance downtown areas, maintain “period” architecture. Set rules/regulations on what is permitted and what isn’t (ex. No bright blue paint, replace doors with period doors, facades – show the architecture, cobblestone/brick sidewalks replacements instead of pouring more concrete.) Replace facades of buildings and enhance beauty such as Jasper Drugs and Marger (?Sp) Bldg. Close main part of main street and create park Bulldoze the whole thing and start over. Inadequate parking. Put LH twin signage on traffic lights, divert 53 traffic around downtown. Shabby store fronts. More use of community service and county, city employers to beautify other areas. Need to continue clean-up, paint etc., and architectural plan for such, walker friendly Do away with the one way street down by Jasper Bank. Define improvement. Maintain and face-lift what we have before wedging in new. Perimeter streets should be widened. Low quantity structures must be replaced. Repaint the old NAPA building to be consistent with other structures, it’s an eyesore. Traffic lights, sidewalks, parking, and clean up empty stores. Power lines, not a priority but would be much nicer w/out them in view. Replace trees – were cut down (fine those who cut them) Maybe encourage more residential near town Make sure road planning is done before inviting a lot of new business to move to the area. Would like more shops and restaurants Slow down traffic, make more pedestrian friendly. More character development (historical reference); more pedestrian friendly provisions; develop side streets. Eliminate offices – add retail (antique shops/book stores, etc.) outdoor cafes – ex: Blue Ridge – would increase tourism and revenue into the County. Get rid of attorneys and get “shops” to replace them. Do something with the “blue ox” in the middle of town. Do something with the train depot. Consider tax incentives for businesses locating in town (also same for Nelson and Talking Rock). Be sure architectural integrity of the courthouse maintained when it is remodeled. Sidewalks on all major roads inside city limits. Perhaps regulate exterior fronts of stores to be a consistent theme or color. That Blue building – tear it down or paint it brick red – it is an eyesore – the owner probably has more money than common sense – the city should see to it that this is done post haste. Advertise to draw more tourist to antique stores, restaurants, etc. Where is bus service, taxi service – how do persons without cars get around? More help for senior citizens – drug delivery from drug stores. Recreation for all children – those without financial resources. Public transportation At least put in well marked crosswalks, fix the sidewalks, and extend the sidewalk all the to Roper Park. Revitalize downtown shopping district, especially NAPA parts building. Disagree but a permanent farmer’s market building is necessary somewhere in this county. Continued expansion of the existing core and theme – sidewalk network. Downtown has great potential. There are wonderful historical buildings. Get rid of the metal awnings and sterile fronts on some of the buildings. Get rid of the plastic store front signs. It would not be difficult to do this. Redesigning some of the store fronts would make a huge difference. Encourage more specialty/antique shops like Blue Ridge and Ellijay. It needs to have the business and recreational areas be handicap accessible. It’s the LAW!! The commissioner’s park should have more attractions. The “old” historic buildings should be preserved not torn down. 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 8 ---PAGE BREAK--- Nothing to draw people downtown, plus traffic flow is terrible. Building appearance Roads to handle the traffic. Pot hole patrols, traffic routing East, West, and Northern outskirts of the county. All areas county wide. Keep it all uniform within the county to protect each area’s God given creations. A face lift of the older buildings. Something to bring tourism to Jasper. If the downtown closes at 5 pm; no visitors. If downtown stays alive till 10-11 pm = visitors. Turn arrows at traffic lights. Maintenance of streets, utilities, parks, add sidewalks in areas of residential developments. Nelson: Has no character Run down buildings Maintain Publicize marble museum What City??? Pavement and lighting Attempt to renovate, replace residential structures, keep residential dominance. Clean it up. Junk around old area. Big old lake/swamp along old Hwy. 5. One person agreed but then wrote “Let it die, no one knows Nelson is there.” Nelson doesn’t really have a downtown. Clean up of areas that have junk or old cars in their yards. Maintain yards, cutting grass and landscape. Recent sidewalks are a plus. Talking Rock: Fire department has mold and falling apart. Clean up in general in downtown (2x) More stores that are unique. Restaurants Sidewalks and general appearance. Would like more restaurants and shops Better street lighting Add sidewalks. Clean it up a little more, landscape to some degree. Restaurants – shops but keep small town atmosphere. Park along creek, including along rail tracks – walking bridges over. How many people were involved with giving away Depot also Whitestone Depot? Capitalize on name of town (where is rock Indians used??) Vacant buildings are everywhere – they should be filled and with business places – no more “ma and pa” places. And also places for kids – movie theatres, bowling alleys, roller skating – not just restaurants. Do something with the old train, would be a great specialty shop or restaurant. More tourism related businesses. Historic buildings preserved, more attractions, picnics sites along river, river banks (only) needs to be cleared and replanted w/safe access to the river. Spruce up the area with landscaping plants and keeping the grass cut. Removal of any junk. Maybe a couple of mom and pop style restaurants. Less antique shops – more local “affordable” crafts from local artists/craftsmen. Maybe a farmers market, B&B, and a night business (restaurant, café, etc.) Merchants need to police the areas in front of their businesses. Keep skateboards off the sidewalks. Trees need to be trimmed and shaped. It’s a beautiful sight at night when lights are on. 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 9 ---PAGE BREAK--- 24) More effort should be made to preserve trees and greenways during the development process. Need tree ordinances and a tree board. Strongly agree – not just land the developer cannot use. 25) Steep slopes and high ridge areas require special regulations so that scenic views can be preserved. Agree with reservations as to who decides and what the rules are. This is not clear, needs more information. 26) Local land development regulations should be improved to protect important water resources like Long Swamp Creek, Talking Rock Creek and Cove Creek. Also Sharp Mtn. Creek By someone with common sense. Disagree – we have enough regulations now! Yes, if property owners are compensated. 27) More land should be set aside for nature parks and environmental preserves. Rural areas (2x) Burnt Mountain (15x) Long Swamp Creek (8x) Tate Mansion Bent Tree/Big Canoe areas Less sprawl Cove Road quarry beyond Still Hollow Cove Creek area Bicycle tracks – walking paths. Talking Rock Creek Areas around any proposed development Old areas that are historic Any county, city, state, or bicycle parks Mountain land Areas in Cove Road and Tate. All waterways. Agree - We don’t need a concrete jungle. Land next to old caves on Cove Road. Agree – steep slopes/ridgelines/aquifers A large in-town park Adjacent to streams and protect what water sources we have Not familiar with which areas, but this is one of the prime assets we have. Getting to where look for mountain views and see houses. More houses, more people, more trash – sewage – contamination. Along creeks, flood plain areas, steep slopes, historic sites and unique developed historic sites, large hard wood ridges Areas as appropriate county wide; varying types of terrain/characteristics Areas with pleasing characteristics that haven’t been developed Some in all areas of the county, not just the mountains around Jasper The downtown Jasper area needs parks and in general yes. All new developments should set aside an appropriate percent of land. Creeks, lakes, scenic areas, land next to national and state forest. In general, don’t allow development cheek by jowl. Need to ask someone that’s local that knows the area!! Take a look at old marble building behind recycling center. Water and wildlife corridors – even/especially thru residential and industrial neighborhoods mountain sides and ridgetops. Parks scattered throughout county not just in and around Jasper. Also, nice parks not just 1 swing – we need trails, tennis courts, building i.e., gyms etc. West end – good place for a golf course. We need more softball, soccer, tennis, and walking trails. 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 10 ---PAGE BREAK--- The areas close to town or as close as we can. There is already way too much development in and around our city and town. No buildings on mountain tops which would destroy natural view. Protect stream areas from development. The east end of the county has no recreational facilities, parks, etc. Don’t know, but we must stop destroying woodlands and habitat for animals. Areas on both sides of county to serve more citizens. Work with adjacent counties to build larger, cross border areas. Around Tate House, Oglethorpe Mountain, Burnt Mountain. The 3 creek corridors and our mountain top areas, the pre-planned green belts to connect them. Long Swamp, the falls above Big Canoe, area around John’s Mill, area around the “mountains” in southwest Pickens. I am sure there are many other places. No places to just have family or company (small) picnics or get-togethers. Parks for kids, basketballs courts. Streambeds/wetlands; mountain slopes, historical landmarks Monument Falls area and mine area on Cove Road Talking Rock River, the marble caves on Cove Road Hinton needs them South of 515/53W area towards Bethany/Salem Tate Depot Any area that is conducive to use for parks and recreation and environmental preserves. Pickens County recreation department has to be enlarged, it’s already over crowded. Green Belt areas Areas around streams, watersheds, mountains. Nature is needed for the animals. They are getting run out of their natural environments due to development. Animal control. A park on the west side. Salem Church Road Valley to west of airport. Need more places like the Sharp Mountain Preserve – big lots – low density – public and private nature preserves. 28) More effort should be made to preserve historic characteristics in the cities and county. Jasper and Tate Depots Tate House/mansion Pickens County Courthouse Old buildings on Main Street Federal Road Native American Sites (2x) Marble resources Cities and surrounding areas Historic buildings When it’s gone – it’s lost Tate, Talking Rock, Jasper Need master plan Anything historical. Character of courthouse. Privately owned John Darnell house in Marble Hill All old town’s history. Leave the courthouse like it is and just update it some Old Federal Road Butler type buildings should not be allowed. Wooden bridge Disagree with the exception of Tate, and Main Street Jasper Each community should have characteristics in keeping with the area. “Cores” of cities and rural appearance of other areas, continue with “minimal” signage impact; more restrictive than current. All historic buildings, homes. Maintain and preserve historic architecture and set a standard of maintaining period lighting, architecture by putting in place bylaws or agreement to a set of rules and regulations to adhere to. Courthouse, old buildings in Tate, Jasper, Talking Rock. Cherokee Indian sites, for National Register Historic Trails and Roads Don’t have specifics in mind, but saving some historical areas and creating a history helps tourism. Talk with Preacher Walker and Minnie Jo Butler on what and where it is. 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 11 ---PAGE BREAK--- Implement standards for appearance of new buildings so they will look old. Get copies of old pictures before people die and/or forget what picture represents. Preserve buildings and roadways and retro-build to effect sense of historic (but functional) community. Downtown Jasper – architecture should be enhanced, incentives should be offered to encourage it. Courthouse, old jail, Edge Building, any turn of century building. We must fight the outside developers who only come to this county to cut our trees and make themselves a profit and leave us with too much growth and problems. Downtown areas should preserve and market their histories. No opinion – not that much here, why not enforce building code like Woodstock to create a “new old” feel. Downtown buildings, Tate Elementary School, old home sites. Housing; governmental (courthouse, schools); commercial, highways; Indian sites. Anything that’s 75 years or older, who do you need to tear down courthouse, just gut it and improve from inside out. Jail and older governmental buildings Depot, landmark buildings History should always be preserved, such as old farms, mills, and etc. Keep up old buildings and historical sites. Use tourism money to fund up-keep. (This implies a push for tourism – mainly from Atlanta area.) 29) Public transportation services (MATS buses) should be expanded in the county to provide an alternative way for all citizens to get to work, shop, or meet other needs. A real, real problem. Would probably cause TAXES to go up. Only if they want to pay. Need to extend to afternoon and evening, particularly for children. Disagree – Successful public transportation requires a concentration of people and destinations – at this time this is not a Pickens County characteristic. Also, there has never been a public transportation system that is self-supporting. 30) There needs to be more sidewalks and bicycle routes to connect neighborhoods to shopping areas, parks and schools. No opinion, creates a crime area to some extent. How? County is so large. The Caucasians don’t walk or ride bicycles. Who for – the Mexicans? NO NO Waste $ sorely needed in other areas of development. Keep the bicycles off the road. 31) All new developments should be required to install sidewalks, especially in the cities and surrounding neighborhoods. Think first about what the rules are, etc. This is ridiculous in the county. No, the mayor has built enough that are not used. But only in higher density areas. Agree – not always feasible, example Bent Tree. By the builders NOT our taxes. 32) Traffic congestion can be solved solely by more new roads or other major road improvements. Over passes on 515. No more subdivisions, no more people. Pave my road!!! Disagree - Only because you wrote “solely” Pave Old Mill while extended, hazardous to school buses and cars where pavement ends!!! Traffic can be helped by freezing building for two years to allow for study. 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 12 ---PAGE BREAK--- Jerusalem Church Street repaving a great idea. The turns left turn at Jerusalem Center onto Carlan (spelling name?) Road is very dangerous for small low hung cars. Dangerous and requires you to slow down for the hump. If a speeder is behind you, you are risking your life to make the turn. Although I agree more roads make it easier to get around, it still upsets the neighborhoods. 33) Special programs or incentives should be considered to provide more housing that is affordable to local residents. Agree – but how etc? Very difficult to balance this. Disagree – who pays? Need to know what programs or incentives. Not at tax payers expense. Disagree – let market forces prevail. Agree – with emphasis on “sense of community” priority. Housing has out-priced local people – SAD. Local residents not newcomers We have quite a few of them now that needs “cleaned” up and out (illegal aliens/drugs). Disagree – who subsidize those who already living here? 34) The special housing needs of persons with disabilities, victims of domestic violence or with mental and physical disorders are being adequately provided. Strongly disagree, especially domestic violence. Need more information. Strongly disagree, Do we have these types of services and homes? Where? If yes, I am disabled and have been 6 years and I haven’t seen or heard of ANY help for us. 35) There are older homes and neighborhoods that should be revitalized in the county and cities. (Need to add – if they hold some type of historic history) Agree – but how? What are your suggestions? Need more information. Only with the owner’s paying. If done by individuals. Not necessarily revitalize but certainly cleaned up. Strongly disagree – that’s not a government issue except to make people clean up around these places. 36) Intergovernmental coordination is being handled in Pickens County in a way that is in the best interest of its citizens. Strongly disagree, yeah right!!! County and City of Jasper need to work more closely together. What? Explain this in more detail. Please, I grant 99% of citizens don’t even know what Intergovernmental coordination means. 37) Services might be provided more efficiently if the county and cities cooperated more closely with each other as well as adjoining counties. What we have now is turf wars. That’s a laugh. It has been rumored that Pickens County governs by “standing alone in a sea of humanity trying to come together NOT compete against each other. 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 13 ---PAGE BREAK--- 38) The county and cities should consider all alternative finance mechanisms (Impact Fees, special improvement districts, SPLOST, etc.) for financing water, sewer, recreation, roads, and other needed improvements. Only without increasing the county debt. How about getting an industrial base. How about developing tourism Strongly agree–taxing must be controlled along with the government entities spending it. They should but they will not! The taxpayer is lost in the shuffle. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. NOTICE: I bet 45% of citizens can’t answer these questions. Questions should have been simpler!! 08050110.004 CEDS PLANS PICKENS 14