With the promise and possibilities of growth coming to Habersham County, there are often differing opinions among officials and residents about what form growth will take.
Attendance has been up at public meetings in the last year with folks speaking their minds about how development and future plans should proceed, and some of them have asked why they did not have a chance to speak before decisions are made.
That chance is here, as the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission is assisting Habersham County, Alto, Clarkesville, Demorest and Mt. Airy with the updates of their respective Comprehensive Plans, the state-required document that helps shape and coordinate local work programs.
“The planning process is designed to ensure that major projects and policies for the community are developed with public input,” the notice on the county’s web site (habershamga.com/2023-comprehensive-plan.cfm) continues.
Surveys are available at that link for residents to post anonymous feedback on planning issues as part of the plan on either the Habersham group plan or Cornelia’s comprehensive plan.
There also will be a series of public meetings, starting with the first one at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at Clarkesville City Hall.
More meetings will follow at 6 p.m. Monday, June 12, at Demorest City Hall; 7 p.m. Thursday, June 15, at Mt. Airy Town Hall; and closing with a meeting about Cornelia’s plan at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at Cornelia City Hall.
These opportunities for public input should not be taken lightly. For anyone who has ever said they did not have a say in government planning, this is your shot.
We have seen a struggle between those who want Habersham County to remain exactly the same and those who want to push us to the forefront of changing with the times. What we require is the balance of the two, and it requires input from people of all backgrounds and insights to make that happen.
We have supported finding that balance for some time in previous opinions, and we maintain that as the best way forward for this community to find its collective future that will be beneficial and comfortable for everyone living in this beautiful place.