 Georgia Supreme Court Issues Ruling on State Marsh and Wetland Buffers: Council Applauds Ruling |
On Monday, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that the 25-foot buffer zone required by the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act does not apply to freshwater marshes and wetlands. This is due to these types of state waters lacking "wrested vegetation", which is best described as a clear delineation between the actual water and the surrounding vegetation.
The law states that "there is established a 25 foot buffer along the banks of all state waters, as measured horizontally from the point where vegetation has been wrested by normal stream flow or wave action", therefore, because these waters physically do not have wrested vegetation the Georgia Supreme Court had to decide if wetlands and marshes were protected under this law.
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Public Hearing on Environmental Assessment for Connect Cobb Project
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 The public is invited to attend an open house about the recently completed environmental assessment (EA) for the Connect Cobb project.
The event is set for 5:30 p.m. on June 29 at the Cobb County DOT. The public hearing will give people the opportunity to review the EA document, view project displays, speak with project staff, and provide input.
There will be no formal presentation, and the public is invited to attend anytime between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
To learn more about the Public Hearing click HERE.
To learn more about the Environmental Assessment click HERE.
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Council Meets with City of Dunwoody to Discuss Zoning Update
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The Council for Quality Growth met on Wednesday, June 9th, with Dunwoody Community Development staff and the City Manager, to discuss our concerns from the development industry with the current DRAFT of the Comprehensive Plan Update. We feel very encouraged after the meeting that the City will take all of our comments into consideration and appreciate the work that the staff has put into the plan.
Below you will see an overview of the plan, links to the plan documents and also information about an upcoming SHAPE Dunwoody Session, where the public will have an opportunity to provide input into the plan.
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GDOT's New DriveAlert ArriveAlive Safety Campaign
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 There's a crisis on Georgia's roads. According to GDOT, traffic deaths have increased to an average of 100 a month. At this rate, Georgia could see the first annual increase in nine years. The state is raising awareness about this epidemic of crashes and fatalities, many of which are preventable. The Georgia DOT is using a special safety campaign to help spread the word.
DriveAlert ArriveAlive is a statewide safety campaign that educates drivers about changes they can make in their driving behavior to reduce preventable crashes by eliminating distractions. It implores drivers to buckle up; stay off the phone; and to drive alert.
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U.S. House Transportation Chairman Bill Shuster Holds Transportation & Infrastructure Roundtable at Georgia Tech
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On Tuesday, June 9th, the Council for Quality Growth attended a transportation roundtable at Ga. Tech that featured:
- Pa. Congressman Bill Shuster, Chairman of the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
- Ga. Congressman Rob Woodall, Member of the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
- Ga. Congressman Tom Graves, Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee
- Ga. Congressman Rick Allen, Member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee
- Georgia Department of Transportation Chief Engineer Meg Pirkle
- Georgia Ports Authority Senior Director Jamie McCurry
- Coca-Cola Vice President of Supply Chain and Transportation Michael Broaders
- UPS Vice President of Network Operations Matthew J. Connelly
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Council for Quality Growth Policy Roundtable with Congressman Barry Loudermilk a Success
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On Friday, May 29th, the Council for Quality Growth hosted Ga. Congressman Barry Loudermilk at the Council offices for a discussion on transportation, national security and development issues. The lunch was allowed Council Members the opportunity to get to know Congressman Loudermilk and discuss the issues facing our industry related to a number of topics.
The lunch was the second in a series of Policy Roundtables the Council for Quality Growth is hosting with our Ga. Congressman. Past Roundtables have included Congressman Rob Woodall, with the next in the series occurring on August 4th and will feature Congressman and House Budget Chairman Tom Price.
Thank you to Congressman Loudermilk and his staff for their participation in the Council for Quality Growth's Policy Roundtable Series.
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Cherokee Advisory Committee Hosts SRTA's Bert Brantley and GDOT's John Hancock
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On Wednesday, June 10th, the Council for Quality Growth's Cherokee Advisory Committee hosted Bert Brantley, the Deputy Executive Director of State Road and Toll Authority (SRTA), along with GDOT's Assistant State Innovative Delivery Engineer and NW Corridor/Managed Lanes Project Manager John Hancock.
They presented to over 40 Council Members on the
Georgia Express Lanes Program Briefing / Northwest Corridor Project update. Also in attendance were County Chairman Buzz Ahrens, State Senator Brandon Beech and County Manager Jerry Cooper. Bert and John gave a full overview of the projects affecting Cherokee County and a wealth of information on the Northwest Corridor Project, the state's Peach Pass Program, and the advances made in that program. The Council would like to thank the County for hosting us, Bert and John for their presentation, and all of those who work to achieve quality and planned growth in Cherokee.
Read More
Click HERE to view a comprehensive overview of the Northwest Corridor Project.
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Cherokee Comprehensive
Transportation Plan Update
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Cherokee County is currently working on a Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update (CTP) slated to be completed by the end of summer 2015. The plan addresses Cherokee County's current and future transportation needs to help maintain a thriving community. The project is voluntary and funded by the Atlanta Regional Commission, (with a 20% local match) began in the summer of 2014 with the intentions of understanding changes in population, employment, land use, and development since the last Cherokee CTP in 2008. After understanding the existing and future conditions of the county, the project evaluates the goals, objectives, and needs of the transportation system in the county. The CTP explores innovative strategies to address transportation deficiencies and will help guide future transportation investments in the county. Eventually, the final CTP will include a funding strategy and a prioritized list of future SPLOST projects.
Click HERE to view the Cherokee CTP Website for more information.
Read More
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Council Seeks to Hire Full Time Policy Analyst
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The Council for Quality Growth is currently accepting resumes for the position of Policy Analyst in our office. The Job description is pasted and attached as a PDF below. Preferred candidates for consideration will have:
- 2-5 years in local government as a member of a planning staff in Community Development;
- 2-5 years in local government as a member of a policy staff;
- 2-5 years experience with a planning firm
This is not a lobbyist position and reports to the Director of Government Affairs and Policy. All interested and qualified candidates should send their resume to James Touchton at JT@CouncilforQualityGrowth.org
Click HERE to view a more detailed job description.
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Progress of the DeKalb County Permitting Improvement Project
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In March 2013, DeKalb County began the Permitting Improvement Project to reform the county's process of issuing business licenses, building permits and land development permits. According to DeKalb County, the project came as a response to concerns that the current licensing and permitting operations were hindering growth. Therefore, a three phase plan was designed to create a more efficient process which would promote commercial activity in the county by making it easier for individuals and businesses to work with DeKalb County. The Council for Quality Growth and many of our members have been a part of a stakeholder group throughout the process to provide input on DeKalb's permit reform. The project has recently just completed the second phase of the plan.
Read More
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Perimeter Center Zoning Project Continues with Drafting Stages
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In 2012, the City of Dunwoody began a rewrite of both the Zoning Ordinance and Land Development Ordinance. During this process, the city decided to conduct a separate project for the Perimeter Center, in addition to the overall rewrite. This area is a unique part of the city because it is quickly developing into a more urban center and, therefore, additional zoning requirements are necessary.
Read More
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EPA Releases Clean Water Act "Waters of the United States" Rule: Council Responds
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On May 27th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unveiled their new clean water rules, which on the surface appears to only affect streams and wetlands, but in reality, has the potential to allow for a broad overreach of powers by the Agency.
Council Members will recall that last fall, a coalition of interests, representing Georgia's Regulated Communities and Conservation Organizations, met at the Georgia State Capitol before a Joint House and Senate Committee to discuss the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposal of the now released rule, which we felt expanded regulatory jurisdiction over waters throughout the United States. The coalition included representatives from the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Municipal Association, and Georgia Department of Agriculture The EPA, through regulatory powers has changed the definition of "Waters of the United States" under the "Clean Water Act" (CWA) and has caused much debate throughout Georgia's various industries. This is in addition to the over 1,000,000 comments nationally the EPA received during their comment period, regarding the change in definition, with a vast majority in opposition or requesting modifications to the proposed rule.
Read More
Click HERE to read the comments submitted by the Council.
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Gwinnett Advisory Committee Meeting with U.S. Congressman Rob Woodall
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 On Tuesday, May 26, Congressman Rob Woodall spoke at the Gwinnett Advisory Committee Meeting, which was hosted by Jackson EMC. Congressman Woodall gave a presentation on economic development in Georgia, and more specifically in the Gwinnett area. He also discussed transportation issues that both Georgia and the entire country are facing and how he is working to help address them. The Congressman's presentation also provided information to show how Georgia compares to the rest of the country in various issues, such as infrastructure and transportation. Congressman Woodall also answered questions and discussed issues posed by the members present at the meeting. Thank you to Jackson EMC for sponsoring this meeting and to all the members who came and participated in the discussions with Congressman Woodall.
Read More
Click HERE to view Congressman Woodall's presentation.
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City of Atlanta Technical Advisory Committee Presents Update on Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
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On Tuesday, May 19, the City of Atlanta's Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), under the Office of Buildings, held a meeting to present an update on the city's Zoning Ordinance Rewrite. The last revision of the zoning ordinance occurred in 1985, however, there have been incremental amendments in response to changes in practices and new policies. Therefore, the current zoning ordinance is inadequate and difficult to understand. In order to address these issues and make the ordinance more user friendly, the City is doing a comprehensive review and update of the zoning regulations. In the meeting on Tuesday, the committee gave a presentation that outlined Phase 1 of the rewrite process.
Read More
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Council Participates in Blue Book Revision Process Stakeholders Committee
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Last year, the Atlanta Regional Commission began an effort to make an update to Volume 1 and 2 of the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual fourteen years after its inaugural publication. After years of experience with the current manual, a number of needed improvements have been identified and stormwater treatment technologies have continued to evolve. Although the manual is not a regulatory document itself, the final content of the manual has a tremendous influence on new development in Georgia because many jurisdictions, including almost all of Metro Atlanta, have adopted the manual as the technical guidelines that must be met for all stormwater management. The Council believes that an update to address shortcomings in the present manual and provide more options for stormwater management is needed, and is excited to be a part of the updates to the new manual, and wants to work with its members and other stakeholders to improve stormwater management practices in Georgia.
Read More
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Georgia Water Alliance Submits Drought Management Comments to EPD
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The Georgia Water Alliance submitted its drought management comments to the Environmental Protection Division.
Click HERE to read the full letter.
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Metro Atlanta Chamber to Host E3 Awards
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Are you an innovator in the sustainability community?
We want to hear about it. MAC is now accepting applications from Atlanta's top sustainability leaders for E3 Award consideration.
Application Deadline: June 22
About the Awards:
The Atlanta E3 Awards recognizes companies, organizations and individuals working to conserve metro Atlanta's natural resources, develop clean technologies to enhance our economy and environment, support sustainable projects and to collaborate on solutions through university connections, marketing and education.
September 24
7:30 - 9 a.m.
Loews Hotel
1065 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
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In the Loop: Millennials and the Future of the Housing Market: A Critical Period of Growth |
The future of housing looks different than it did one decade ago. The conversation has changed from single-family detached to attached single- and multi-family units.
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Council for Quality Growth's 5th Annual CID "Fly Over" Video Released |
 As you recall last year, on November 12, 2014, the Council for Quality Growth sponsored the 5th Annual CID Recognition Program. Jones Lang LaSalle paid homage to the CIDs accomplishments by taking the attendees on an aerial journey through Metro Atlanta in the year 2025. The journey termed the "Fly Over" used a Google Earth type technology created by Jones Lang LaSalle known as Blackbird to view the collective impact. The Council for Quality Growth would like to share this aerial adventure to all those who were not able to attend the event.
To view the video and fly with us,
To follow along using the speech,
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Council Presents 2015 Advisory Committee Schedule and Speakers |
The Council for Quality Growth Announces the 2015 Advisory Committee Schedule. Click HERE
The Council hosts about 80 advisory committee meetings each year featuring guest speakers such as:
- Congressman Rob Woodall
- Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell
- Cobb Chairman Tim Lee
- Georgia House of Representatives Minority Leader Stacey Abrams
- DeKalb County Int. CEO Lee May
- Cherokee County Chairman "Buzz" Ahrens
- Gwinnett County Chairman Charlotte Nash
- County Commissioners Region-Wide
- Mayor's Region-Wide
- City Councilman Region-Wide
- and many more local, county and state leaders can view below by expanding your screen or clicking below to view the 2015 Advisory Committee Schedule.
What are the Council Advisory Committees? Please click HERE to see who the Council has previously hosted.
Advisory Committee meetings are for Council members only. Please click HERE for more information about joining the Council for Quality Growth.
Click HERE to view the 2015 Advisory Committee Schedule.
Click HERE to view a PDF of the 2015 Advisory Committee Schedule and Speaker Lineup
The 2015 Calendar is updated weekly with new Speakers. Be sure to go to the Council's Website at www.CouncilforQualityGrowth.org and click on the Events Calendar link for the most up-to-date 2015 calendar. |
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June 18, 2015
What are Council Members saying about their investment in the Council for Quality Growth?
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Atlanta Business Chronicle Highlights Council Advisory Committees |
In a special section featuring the Council for Quality Growth and its Four Pillar Tribute, the Atlanta Business Chronicle featured the work of the Council's seven advisories and the role that they play in helping to shape the continued growth of the Metro Atlanta Region. The article features examples of the types of policies that have been influenced by Council Advisory committees, as well as quotes from Council members on the benefit that Advisories provide to their businesses.
To read the article, click HERE.
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Events, Policy Highlights & Advisory Updates
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________________________________________
Join The Council for Quality Growth!
To view a Membership Brochure, Click HERE
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Each month, the Council holds Advisory Committee meetings for members. These meetings occur at the same day and time each month and offer members the opportunity to interact with state and local elected officials, as well as county and city staff, including county and city managers, planning and zoning staff, transportation staff, economic development heads and watershed management staff.
Advisory Committees are one of the premier benefits of Council membership and all members are encouraged to attend. As a member, you are eligible to attend any of the Advisory Committees listed below.
- To learn about each of our seven Advisory Committees in more detail, click HERE.
- To see a schedule of all Advisory speakers, click HERE.
- To see a master schedule of all meeting times and locations, click HERE.
- To see a calendar view of this information, view the calendar below or click HERE.
Please contact James Touchton at JT@CouncilforQualityGrowth.org for more information or to be added to one or all of the Advisory email lists.
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To view all Advisory Committee Meetings,
To view the Advisory Calendar on the Council Website and Register Online for the Advisory Meeting of your choice,
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Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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