Georgia Coastal Comprehensive Plan

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Mike Beatty announced today appointments to the Coastal Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CCPAC).

"Georgia's coastal region is one of the state's fastest growing regions. As new residents and businesses choose to locate in this region and tourism continues to expand, we recognized the need to develop a comprehensive plan to guide the region's growth," said Commissioner Beatty. "Governor Perdue asked that DCA draw upon the knowledge and counsel of private and public stakeholders with strong ties to the region to serve on the Coastal Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee. Our CCPAC members bring expertise and a strong commitment to ensuring that Georgia's coastal region can be enjoyed for generations to come," added Beatty.

The 35-member CCPAC is comprised of 31 residents from Georgia's coastal counties - Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh and three members from outside the state's six-county coastal region. DCA Commissioner Beatty will serve as CCPAC chairman.

On February 11, 2005, Governor Sonny Perdue signed an Executive Order (http://www.gov.state.ga.us/ExOrders/02_11_05_01.pdf) directing DCA to complete a Coastal Comprehensive Master Development Plan (Plan) by September 2007.

As outlined in the Executive Order, the Plan will outline a vision for Georgia's coastal area that promotes sustainable future development without compromising the region's valuable and vulnerable natural environment. CCPAC members will study tourism, economic development and environmental management, housing and transportation issues affecting Georgia's coastal area as it develops the Plan.

Coastal Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

• Bryan County: Jean Bacon and Jimmy Burnsed.
• Camden County: William H. "Bill" Gross, James E. Stein and Stuart A. Stevens.
• Chatham County: Paul Brockington, William G. Foster, Jr., Harvey J. Gilbert, Anthony R. James, William Lattimore, Jr., Hector Lopez, Patricia McIntosh, Howard J. Morrison, Jr., Walter W. Parker, Lynn M. Pitts, Bob Scanlon, Letty Shearer and Thomas L. Thomson.
• Glynn County: Roland Daniel, James B. Gilbert, Jr., Vernon Martin, Randal E. Morris, Susan Shipman, Bryan Thompson and William P. Tipton II.
• Liberty County: John McIver, Paul Michael, Thomas J. Ratcliffe, Jr. and James "J.C." Shipman.
• McIntosh County: Christi Lambert and John Wallace.
• Members Outside the Six-County Coastal Region: DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty, Joe Hopkins (Charlton County), Oney Hudson (Bibb County) and Gary Priester. Joe Hopkins and Oney Hudson serve on DCA's Board of Directors. Gary Priester is the Georgia Department of Transportation District Engineer responsible for operations along the state's coastal region.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) was created in 1977 to serve as an advocate for local governments. DCA operates a host of state and federal grant programs; serves as the state's lead agency in housing finance and development; promulgates building codes to be adopted by local governments; provides comprehensive planning, technical and research assistance to local governments; and serves as the lead agency for the state's solid waste reduction efforts.

For more information please visit the dca websites at: http://www.dca.state.ga.us and Georgia Coastal Comprehensive Plan