Around 40 people turned out Monday evening for the Banks Crossing Redevelopment Plan Kickoff Meeting.
Woody Giles, Tunnell Spangler & Walsh Associates, conducted the meeting to present information on what the Banks Crossing Redevelopment Plan is, the planning process, an overview of the initial findings and show several success stories from other communities.
Giles said the current stage of the re-development plan is the “inventory and analysis stage.”
John Payne, Keck & Wood, talked about the infrastructure and transportation in the area of the re-development. Payne mentioned the proposed project to relocate Steven B. Tanger Boulevard.
Aaron Arnett, Arnett Muldrow, talked about the demographics and market in the area.
Details on funding a redevelopment plan were not discussed but officials did say the project meets the guidelines for issuing bonds.
The re-development plan is public/private cooperation. It meets the following state requirements: shows need for re-development, allows bonds to be issued, eligibility for funding, flexibility in development regulations and opportunity zone eligibility.
The re-development plan goals are to encourage a more vibrant Banks Crossing area, focus growth where it makes sense, promote a mix of activities and employment, enhance the local image and expand the transportation options.
Giles said after the inventory and analysis stage is the visioning stage then the draft plan and then a final plan.
As part of the process, a Community Charrette is set for Thursday, April 26, in the Banks County BOC meeting room at the Banks County Annex. The time will be announced later.
A draft plan public open house is planned for sometime in July 2012 and the final plan should go to the Banks County BOC in August 2012, Giles added.
The re-development plan includes around 2,300 acres exclusively in Banks County.
“The plan doesn’t include any land in Jackson County,” Giles said.
The property is along both sides of U.S. Highway 441 near I-85, Walmart, Atlanta Dragway, the former Pottery property and some vacant land northeast of Highway 441.
Three comment stations were set around the Banks County BOC meeting room and those in attendance were urged to make comments and talk with staff at each station.
One station was open for comments about land use and overall comments. No one commented on this.
But a number of those in attendance took part in the dots exercise to show what kind and where redevelopment should be the focus. Participants were asked to place different colored dots on a map to show where retail, open space, residential and industrial development should be in the re-development area.
A second one was for comments about transportation. The comments received at this station included: like the Steven B. Tanger relocation project, will help that area; S. Tanger relocation – no adverse impact on existing businesses; trucks leaving T/A truck stop disrupt traffic on 441; and median on 441 will be good, but will be controversial.
At the marketing station, one person asked for more dining in the area.
One person submitted a comment card that said, “I’m one of the 75 percent who commute outside of Banks County for employment. I would love to have a Banks County where there is a manufacturing/industrial base where Banks County can provide for its own.”
Giles encouraged everyone to go online and take the community survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/bankscrossing by March 23 and to attend the next public meeting in April.
Giles said as of Monday afternoon a total of 98 people had taken the survey.
Banks County Planner Brad Day said he was very well pleased with the turnout and participation at the meeting on Monday.
“Twenty-four would have been a good number,” Day said. “I am very pleased.”
