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By Brandon Ussery

West Point begins its comprehensive planning process this summer, outlining a 20-year plan for future improvements within the community. A presentation given by Paul Jarrell from the Three Rivers Regional Committee to the West Point City Council on May 27 outlined the commission’s plans for moving forward with planning and improvement efforts in the City of West Point.

The 20-year timeline placed on these processes was framed as a short period when dealing with matters concerning city planning and development. Creating a guided vision statement was a top priority.  

The Three Rivers Regional Commission (TRRC), based in Griffin, GA, is leading the planning efforts. This ten-county regional planning commission collaborates with local governments to enhance the quality of life for all residents. 

The comprehensive plan ensures that West Point maintains its status as a Qualified Local Government (QLG), requiring the city of West Point to demonstrate its commitment to planning improvements for its citizens and addressing the community’s needs. These efforts qualify the City of West Point for state grants and resources necessary to implement comprehensive improvement plans. The standards for maintaining status as a QLG are outlined by a city’s state or relevant state agency. 

Improvement plans originate from the establishment of a community-based vision, which covers planning for 20 years, with updates provided every five years to reassess for potential changes. This involves setting long-term goals for the city as well as community participation in the planning process. 

These comprehensive plans serve as a guide for city council members when making decisions regarding city planning and the implementation of new projects, ensuring that changes align with the town’s will. 

A steering committee will be formed by the commission, comprising prominent members of the West Point community, as well as city council members and community stakeholders, including local business owners and property owners in the area.

Open houses, town halls and community visioning events, along with a concise community survey required by the TRRC, are necessary to obtain an accurate picture of the overall vision for West Point from the residents’ perspective. The planning commission has assessed the current vision statement and land use maps for the City of West Point and deemed them acceptable; however, the newly assembled steering committee will review them to ensure that no necessary updates are needed in these areas.

The subsequent public hearings for the plans are scheduled for August or September of this year, with the final plan to be submitted to the West Point City Council by October, following a 30-day review by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA).