On August 4, 2005, after more than two years of research and drafting, the North Augusta Planning Commission approved the 2005 Comprehensive Plan. The Commission forwarded it to the City Council with a recommendation that the Council also approve it. The City Council held a public hearing to discuss the Plan on September 19, 2005 and adopted the Plan on December 19, 2005.
State law requires local governments maintain an up to date comprehensive plan for the growth and development of the community. The plan must be reviewed at least every five years and updated every ten years. The city’s current plan was adopted in 1995 and partially updated in late 1999.
The Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994 prescribes a specific process for the preparation and adoption of a comprehensive plan. It provides that the plan be prepared and recommended by the Planning Commission. It also requires that the City Council hold a public hearing prior to adoption of the plan. Notice of the hearing must be advertised for at least 30 days prior to the City Council meeting. The plan must be adopted by ordinance. Additionally, a plan must be adopted before the city is able to enforce zoning or land development regulations.
Printed copies of the document are available for review in the Department of Economic and Community Development located on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 400 East Buena Vista Avenue. Questions about the plan or the upcoming meetings related to the adoption of the plan should be addressed to the Department of Economic Development at 803-441-4221.
