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DEPARTMENT O F COMMERCE 
 
100 STATE CAPITOL ATLANTA, GEORGIA 
 
 .JACK .J. MINTER 
DIRECTOR 
 
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1011 jitalc <C'apihtl 
Atlanta~, <cLlrght June, 1962 
 
TE~EPHONE 
JACKSON 3-1706 
 
To all City and County Officials: 
I am pleased to transmit to you this publication, 11 701 Local Planning Assistance 11 , prepared by the Planning Division of the Department of Commerce. It is the aim of this publication to present, in a simple and straightforward way an explanation of our Department's Program of Assistance for Community Planning. 
Those of us in State government who are vitally concerned with the growth and development of Georgia commend and encourage sound community planning- which might be defined as a concerted effort to identify and overcome community problems, to capitalize on advantages, and to meet future needs -because in a very real sense the strength and well-being of our State is the sum total of the strength and well-being of our individual communities. 
We trust that this publication will prove interesting and useful to you. 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
1 
 
What Is the Background Of the Program? Is There a Need For the Program? What Financial and Technical Assistance Are Available 
Under the Program? How Does the Program Work? What Is the Present Status Of the Program in Georgia? 
 
ACTIVITIES COVERED BY THE PROGRAM 
 
7 
 
Comprehensive Community Planning Studies That May Be Undertaken Ineligible Activities Program Funds Not to Cover Past Work 
 
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM 
 
9 
 
Eligible Local Areas Qualifications Of Consultants State Responsibilities 
 
PROCEDURES 
 
1 1 
 
APPENDICES Appendix 
Basic Program For Community Planning (A Description Of Items Of the Planning Program) 
Appendix II 
Check List Of Negotiations and Other Matters Pertaining to the Processing Of an Application For Urban Planning Assistance 
 
 Introduction 
The information herein is presented in order to better acquaint local officials and interested citizens with the Community Planning Assistance available through the Georgia Department of Commerce. It is intended that all municipalities, counties, and combinations thereof, (with individual populations under 50, 000) interested in or engaged in Community Planning be aware of the opportunity afforded them through grants available for planning activities and ofthe procedures involved in obtaining these grants which help defray community planning costs. 
W h at I s t h e B a c k g r ou n d of the P r o g r a m ? 
This Local Planning Assistance Program had its orgin in a 1954 amendment to the Housing Act of 1949 which made provision for planning assistance to communities of less than25, 000 population. In 1959 the Act was again amended to include all cities and counties of less than 50, 000 population. Under Section 701 {hence the name "701 Funds" or 11 701 Planning Assistance Program") of the Housing Act of 1954, as amended, Congress made financial assistance available through authorized State Planning Agencies, to communities for the preparation of comprehensive community plans. To any eligible community, 701 grant funds will pay up to two-thirds of the total cost of the planning activities undertaken. The Georgia Department of Commerce is the official State Planning Agency in Georgia and the Director of the Georgia Department of Commerce through a legislative Act of 1959 is designated to administer this program of planning assistance to Georgia communities. To assist him in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the program, the Director has organized within his Department a Planning Division consisting of a technical staff headed by a Manager. 
1 
 
 Is There a Need for the Program? 
The need for this planning assistance program can be traced directly to problems and opportunities that cities and counties are facing, which have resulted from such interrelated "cause and effect" events as increased efforts andre sults in promoting industrial growth, me chanization in a"griculture, population shifts from rural to urban areas, improved communications, and the rising costs of governmental services. 
Comprehensive community planning is the effective "tool" needed to help a community guide its long range growth. Planning goals and ob jectives translated into specific plans and programs are developed from the assembly and analysis of basic data and trends in the physical, economic, and social structure ofthe communityandincludes recommendations for future development and methods for the effectuation of these proposals. In addition to the preparation of specific plans and documents, this program has as its purposes the establishments of comprehensive community planning on a continuing basis and the encouraging of State and local governments to establish and develop qualified, fulltime planning staffs. 
What Financial and Technical Assistance 
Is Available Under the Program? 
The Housing Act provides that the 701 funds be alloted and controlled by the Urban Renewal Administration of the Housing and Horre Finance Agency (HHFA). The HHFA will provide two-thirds (2/3) of the total cost of preparing a comprehensive community plan. The funds in the form of a grant are paid directly to the Department of Commerce and are administered through the Planning Division. 
State and local governments pay the remaining one -third (1/3) of the total cost of the planning project. 
The State 1s costs contributed to the prqject include travel expenses and salaries of the Planning Division personnel engaged in administration of the project. 
2 
 
 The local area's cash contribution pays one-third of the total fee of the planning consultant, or in those instances of direct assistance from the Planning Division staff, one -third of the professional staff -time devoted to the project. The local government's share of the cost is requested at the time the planning assistance contract is signed and work begins. 
A single planning project may cover a period of from 12 to 18, or as a maximum 24 months. However, it is not necessary that all planning studies comtemplated and eligible for 701 assistance be undertaken in a single project. In fact,in some cases, it is preferable that a part be covered in an initial project and the balance in one or more later projects. 
How Does the Program Work ? 
The local government makes a request to the Department of Commerce for participation in the program. In turn, the Planning Division of the Department of Commerce will assist the local officials in outlining a "scope -of-work" for the project, in selecting a qualified professional planning consultant to carry-out the project under the direction of the Planning Division, and in determining the cost of the project. (Because ofthe difficulty many of the smaller communities, those under 2, 000 population, have had in securing the services of qualified planning consultants, the Planning Division will provide directplanning staff assistance to suchcommunities when requested.) After approval of the "scope -of -work", the cost of the project, and the planning consultant selected by the local authorities, the Department of Commerce applies for "701" grant and administers all the payments to the consultant. During the course of developing the community plan, the staff of the Planning Division will review and approve the consultant's work as to its adequacy in meeting sound planning standards. 
What Is the Present Status of the Program in Georgia ? 
One of the primary functions of the Planning Division of the Georgia Department of Commerce is to assist cities and counties over the State in developing and carrying out continuing, meaningful, local planning programs. When requested, this assistance includes furnishing information to and counseling with local officials interested in establishing planning commissions, advising established commissions relative to their planning programs, providing technical assistance or 
3 
 
 procuring such assistance through private planning consultants, and securing grant funds for city and county planning programs. 
 
Since June 9, 1958, a total of some 97 cities and counties in Georgia have received or are receiving assistance under the "701 Local Planning Assistance Program" Planning services for these areas involves a total expenditure of $742, 668; which includes $450, 5 36 in HHFA grants, $271, 202 in local funds, and $20, 949 in State funds. The cities and counties that have received or are receiving technical and financial assistance under this program from the Planning Division of the Department of Commerce are listed below and are located on the facing map. 
 
1. Adairsville 2. Alamo 3. Albany 4. Americus 5. Barnesville 6. Bartow County 7. Baxley 8. Blakely 9. Bremen 10. Buchanan 11. Buena Vista 12. Calhoun 13. Carrollton 14. Cartersville 15. Catoosa County 16. Cedartown 17. Chatsworth 18. Chattooga County 19. Comer 20. Cordele 21. Cuthbert 22. Dade County 23. Dahlonega 24. Dallas 25. Douglas County 26. Douglasville 27. Early County 28. Eatonton 29. Ellijay 30. Emerson 31. Fairmount 32. Floyd County 33. Forest Park 
 
34. Gainesville 35. Georgetown 36. Gordon County 37. GwinnettCounty 38. Hahira 39. Hall County 40. Hampton 41. Hapeville 42. Haralson County 43. Harlem 44. Hazlehurst 45. Henry County 46. Hinesville 47. Hiram 48. Homerville 49. Houston County 50. Jackson 51. Kingsland 52. Kingston 53. LaFayette 54. Lavonia 55. Locust Grove 56. Lowndes County 57. Lyerly 58. McDonough 59. Menlo 60. Metter 61. Millen 62. Monroe 63. Murray County 64. Nashville 65. Paulding County 66. Perry 
 
67. Plainville 68. Polk County 69. Ranger 70. Reidsville 71. Richland 72. Ringgold 73. Roberta 74. Rockmart 75. Rome 76. Shellman 77. Stockbridge 78. Sugar Valley 79. Summerville 80. Swainsboro 81. Tallapoosa 82. Thomaston 83. Thomasville 84. Thomson 85. Toccoa 86. Trenton 87. Trion 88. Union Point 89. Valdosta 90. Ware County 91. Warner Robins 92. Waycross 93. West Point 94. White 95. Winder 96. Woodbine 97. Woodland 
 
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 Activities Covered by the Program 
Comprehensive Community Planning 
Comprehensive community planning activities for which 701 grants may be authorized include the following to the extent directly related to urban needs: 
1. Preparation, as a guide for long -range development, of general physical plans with respect to the pattern and intensity of land use and the provision of public facilities together with long -range fiscal plans for such development; 
2. Programming of capital improvements based on a determination of relative urgency, together with definitive financing plans for the improvements to be constructed in the earlier years of the program; 
3. Coordination of all related plans ofthe departments or subdivision of the government concerned; 
4. Inter -governmental coordination of all related planned activities among the State andlocal governmental agencies concerned; and 
5. Preparation of regulatory and administrative measures in support of the foregoing. 
Studies That May Be Undertaken 
Listed below and on the following page are some of the typical planning studies which often compose the initial phases of a basic program of community planning. A description of each item is presented in Appendix I. Examples of some studies of this nature, prepared for Georgia communities, are pictured on the facing page. 
BASIC STUDIES 
1. Base Map 2. Existing Land Use Survey and Analysis 3. Economic Base and Population Study 4. Neighborhood Analyses 
7 
 
 PLANNING PROPOSALS 
5. Future Land Use Plan 6. Community Facilities Plan 7. Major Thoroughfare Plan 8. Public Improvements Program 
REGULATORY MEASURES 
9. Recommended Zoning Ordinance and Map 10. Recommended Subdivision Regulations 
RELATED CONSIDERATIONS 
ll. Continuing Planning Program 
Ineligible Activities 
Under the 701 Local Planning Assistance Program, HHFA lists certain activities that while related to community planning are nevertheless ineligible for these funds. For example, the program can not include the planning for: (1) the development of rural, wilderness or other non-urban areas not directly related to urban needs, except rural areas expected to be urbanized within ten or twenty years or to be used for an urban-related facility, such as a park; (2) the organization, re -organization or establishment of local government; or (3) re-organizing the general tax structure or developing new sources or revenue. Also, none of these funds can be used for the preparation of; (1) specific public works plans; (2) promotional campaign materials to attract industry or otherwise boost the area; or (3) building codes, housing codes, plumbing codes and other regulatory measures not primarily concerned with tre use anddevelopmentof land. Finally thesefunds may notbe used to defray the cost of regular routine activities of the local planning agency. 
Program Funds Not to Cover Past Work 
None of the funds as signed to the program may be used to defray the cost of any of the work scheduled therein that may have been started or completed prior to the date project funds are in hand. The local authorities and consultants concerned will be notified when the actual work may start and obligations against the program funds may begin to be incurred. 
8 
 
 Requirements for Participation in the Program 
Eligible Local Areas 
Any municipality, county, or combination thereof falling into either of the two following categories are eligible for 701 funds: (1) municipalities and counties having a population of less than 50,000 according to the latest decennial census; and (2) any group of adjacent communities, either incorporated or unincorporated, having a total population ofles s than 50, 000 according to the latest decennial census and having common or related urban planning problems resulting from rapid urbanization. 
Qualifications of Consultants 
In order to undertake 701 work, a prospective consultant must be qualified by training and/ or have had a broad previous experience in the preparation of comprehensive community planning studies. The Planning Division of the Department of Commerce must be satisfied as to the professional qualifications and adequacy of the staff ofthe Planning Consultant selected by the community to develop the Local Planning Program. 
State Responsibilities 
The 701 Local Planning Assistance Program requires the following of the State: 
1. In all matters pertaining to the 701 grant, HHFA deals only with the official State Planning Agency -the Georgia Department of Commerce. 
2. All 70 l grants for communities of under 50, 000 population are made to the Department of Commerce and may not be made directly to such communities. 
9 
 
 3. The Director, Department of Commerce, is fully responsible for the proper execution of the program for which a 701 grant is made and for carrying out the terms of the HHFA Grant Contract (between the United States Government and the Georgia Department of Commerce) which must be entered into before expenditures against the funds can be made. 
4. Allgrants under Section 701 of the Housing Act may be made only within the framework of State and local laws, and all urban planning contracts andall planning work performed thereunder must be authorized by State and local laws. 
5. The State Planning Agency must be empowered to provide planning assistance to all municipalities. 
6. The State Planning Agency must be legally empowered to receive and expend 701 and other funds for the purpose of providing planning assistance. 
7. The State Planning Agency must be in a position to provide local and State funds equal to at least one -third of the estimated total cost of the planning work for which a 701 grant is requested. 
8. The State Planning Agency must be technically qualified to undertake and administer the planning program, either entirely by its own staff or through the supplemental utilization of qualified planning consultants. 
9. The State Planning Agency must be available and ready to assume full responsibility for the execution of the program for which the grant is made. 
10 
 
 Procedures 
A city or county desiring to participate in the Local Planning Assistance Program sends a letter from a local official (Mayor or County Commissioner) to the Director of the Georgia Department of Commerce requesting assistance under Section 701 of the Housing Act of 1954, as amended. (See Appendix II, ''Check List of Proce- 
dure s ... 11 and Sample Letter # l. ) 
Upon receipt of the letter a meeting is scheduled between the Planning Division and the local officials (Mayor, Attorney, Planning Commission, and other interested citizens) to discuss the proposed Planning Program and the Division's role in administering the Program. 
At this meeting or at a later meeting the local authorities select a professional planning consultant who will develop the Planning Program for the community. In case the local area has a population of 2, 000 or under, the Planning Division's technical staff may provide this planning service. 
Another meeting is held between the local governing authorities, the Planning Division, and the selected planning consultant to work out the specifics of the Planning Program and to review the consultant's fee, and the local and State costs of the program. 
The local governing authorities should next agree through formal action to urrlertake the Planning Program, appropriate the nece ssary funds and authorize a local official to execute a contract with the Department of Commerce for the agreed program. Upon receipt of a letter from the city (or county) attorney informing the Planning Division of the action taken by the local governing authority and confirming that the community is in a financial and legal position to contract for the program, the Planning Division will initiate an application to HHFA for a 701 grant. (See Appendix II, Sample Letter #2. ) 
Upon approval of the application by HHFA and after the local authorities sign the contract with the Department of Commerce, the consultant will begin work on the program. 
11 
 
 During the program the consultant will, in addition to meeting with local officials to review the work, also submit to the Planning Division a "draft" of each prepared study for review and approval to as sure that it meets contract requirements and acceptable planning standards. After approval of the draft, the consultant is notified by the Planning Division to reproduce the document in final form. The "final" documents are also forwarded to the Planning Division for review. After review and approval the final documents are sent to the community. 
The local government will receive at least twenty copies each of the final studies. The Planning Division retains six copies of each item to submit to HHFA and to maintain a file of the work that has been completed in each community. 
Every three months during the course of the program the consultant submits progress reports which indicate the work that has been completed and estimates the work to be completed in the next three months. The Planning Division in turn files its own quarterly progress reports with HHFA. 
The local planning commission and other officials regularly meet to review and coordinate the planning work being done. The planning consultant attends the planning commission meetings to review the work and to promote the planning process at the local level. 
The Planning Division of the Georgia Department of Commerce, in addition to reviewing the consultant's work for the community, will periodically attend the planning commission meetings and is available to answer questions or resolve problems that may develop in connection with the Planning Program. 
12 
 
 APPENDICES 
 
 Appendix I 
Basic Program for Community Planning 
For a Municipality, the term "Planning Area" is defined as the area within the corporate limits of the City, plus the unincorporated urbanized and urbanizing contiguous to and extending beyond the City's limits. 
For a County, the term "Planning Area" is defined as the entire urbanized and urbanizing area of the County, in some instances exclusive of incorporated municipalities. 
(1) Base Map: A base map, at an appropriate scale for planning purposes, showing the entire planning area should be prepared in reproducible form. This map should show streets and roads, street and road names, apparent property lines, corporate limit lines, rail lines, and the location and name of water courses, impoundments, graphic scale and north point. Title block should show name of the governing authority or authorities of the Planning Area, the state, and the year of completion. 
(2) Existing Land Use Survey and Analysis: A land use survey of each parcel of land in the Planning Area should be made. The information from the survey of land use should be presented showing whether used for residential, commercial, industrial, public and other purposes. In addition, the amounts of land used for various purposes, the land use pattern, and trends in past and present land use development should be analyzed and presented in a text, together with accompanying graphic materials. If specific problems exist with respect to drainage, floods, adverse topography, fringe development in unincorporated areas, excessive amounts of vacant land, or other problems of urban development, these problems should be identified. 
(3) Economic Base and Population Study: A report, with suitable illustrations, describing the findings of a study of the economy and population of the Planning Area. The report shall include an analysis of the pre sent economic base and major economic activities, trends and potentials in the local economy, analysis of past and present population with respect to races, ages, skills, employment, etc. , and forecasts of future population and econorr.ic activities. 
1 
 
 This information should be presented in a text, together with accompanying graphic materials. 
(4) Neighborhood Analyses: Logical residential neighborhood boundaries should be delineated for study and planning purposes within the Planning Area. An evaluation of the physical condition of residential structures, as well as other significant neighborhood features, should be made in order to determine the specific location, nature, extent and intensity of blight or blighting influences in each neighborhood. Characteristics of families affected by poor housing in each neighborhood should be analyzed. Specific actions needed to eliminate existing blight and prevent future blight such as code enforcement, public improvements, conservation, reconditioning, clearance, and redevelopment should be recommended. 
This information should be presented in a text, together with accompanying graphic materials. 
(5) Future Land Use Plan: A logical appropriate plan, and program for implementation, describing the amount and location of land recommended for use in the future for residential, commercial, industrial, and public purposes should be prepared. The land proposed to be devoted to each use should be related to estimates of the future population and economy of the Planning Area. 
The Future Land Use Plan should be presented in a test together with a map or maps, and other graphic materials. The accompanyingmap or maps shouldindicate, by appropriate color and/or symbols the land within the Planning Area proposed for residential, commercial, industrial, or public use. 
(6) Community Facilities Plan: The location and type of all existing and proposed areas and facilities to be used for public purposes should be described. Existing community facilities such as public buildings, public facilities, parks, playgrounds, and utilities should be analyzedas to their adequacy to meet existing and anticipated Planning Area needs. The nature of deficiencies should be indicated. 
Proposals or alternatives should be presented regarding new or expanded community facilities or services required to adequately meet existing and anticipated Planning Area needs. 
2 
 
 ( 7) Major Thoroughfare Plan: A logical plan to meet existing and anticipated Planning Area needs for extension and addition of major traffic arteries. The plan should be based upon preceding studies and be related to the Future Land Use Plan. 
The Major Thoroughfare Plan should be presented in a text together with a map or maps, and other graphic materials. The accompanying map or maps should indicate the type of street or road and shall differentiate between existing and proposed streets and thoroughfares. 
(8) Public Improvements Program: A Public Improvements Program should be prepared in which future capital improvements are identified and a priority schedule is determined for improvements suchas parks, playgrounds and other public facilities necessary for the carrying out of proposals of the Community Facilities Plan and other studies. Specific recommendations as to order or priority, approximate costs, and scheduled time of acquisition or construction should be prepared for a six (6) year period, with a general priority and scheduling recommendations prepared for the succeeding fourteen (14) year period. As a part of this study, an analysis should be made of the financial structure and capability of the local governing authority or authorities of the Planning Area, in order to realistically relate the programmed need for such capital improvements to the ability of the local governing authority or authorities to pay for them. 
The Public Improvements Program should be presented in a text, together with accompanying graphic materials. 
(9) Recommended Zoning Ordinance and Map: A Zoning Ordinance text, tailored to local conditions and needs and drafted in such a manner that it can be readily understood and administered, should be prepared. The Zoning Ordinance text should contain provisions for control of use of land for residential, commercial, and industrial development. The Zoning Ordinance text should include provisions and procedures for administration, enforcement and amendment of the Zoning Ordinance text and map. 
A Zoning Ordinance Map, based generally on the Future Land Use Plan, should be prepared on which are delineated the boundaries of districts for residential, commercial, and industrial development. 
The Zoning Ordinance Text and Map should be drafted to complywith Georgia planning enabling legislation and be in a form suitable to be considered for adoption after review by local legal authorities. 
3 
 
 (10) Recommended Subdivision Regulations: Subdivision Regulations tailored to local conditions and needs and drafted in such a manner that they can be readily understood and administered, should contain standards and requirements to guide future subdivision development. The subdivision regulations should be prepared in a text and include illustrations, design criteria for lots and streets, technical standards, required improvements, planning area considerations, and administrative procedures for review and processing plats. 
The Subdivision Regulations should be drafted to comply with Georgia planning enabling legislation and be in a form suitable to be considered for adoption after review by local legal authorities. 
(11) Continuing Planning Program: Recommendations as to the place of the planning program in the governmental structure of the Planning Area should be presented. Specific proposals tailored to meet the local planning program problems and opportunities relative to implementing the various planning tools and guides already prepared and to building upon and supplementing this planning foundation should be prepared. The Continuing Planning Program should be presented in a text, together with accompanying graphic material. 
4 
 
 Appendix II 
Check List of Procedures and Other 
Matters Pertaining to the Processing of an 
Application for 701 Local Planning Assistance 
(1) Letter addressed to the Director, Georgia Department of Commerce from the City and/ or County requesting planning assistance under Section 701 of the HousingActofl954, as amended. Letter must give assurance that the local cash contribution (See 3 below) will be furnished the Georgia Department of Commerce when called for. (See 
Sample Letter #1, following. ) 
(2) Selection of qualified planner who will do the planning work for a fixed fee under contract with the Georgia Department of Commerce. 
(3) By consultation among the interested local officials, the selected contract planner and the Planning Division of the Department of Commerce, the scope of the planning work to be done, the proposed contract planner 1s fee, and the State Planning Agency's cost must be determined. The latter two make up the overall project cost. The City's and/ or County's share of this cost, which is to be furnished the State Planning Agency prior to the start of the work, is equal to onethird (1 /3) of the overall project cost minus the Department of Commerce costs. 
(4) Early in the negotiations between the local authorities and the Department of Commerce, in finalizing all matters before the latter may submit the application for the HHFA funds, the Department of Commerce must have in its files a letter from the local government's legal advisor certifying that there exists: 
(a) a local ordinance, resolution or other authorizing actions whereby the local governing body involved is empowered to act in these matters, inclu-ding, but not limited to, the entering into a contract with the Department of Commerce for the work to be done and the furnishing of the local contribution of funds, and 
(b) his opinion as to the legality of the proposed actions and negotiations of the local governing body indicated in 4(a) above; 
1 
 
 also, the legal advisor's statement as to whether or not there is any known court order or other circumstances that would bar this action. (See Sample letter #2, following. ) 
(5) Agreement on terms of contract to be entered into by the local government and Georgia Department of Commerce. (Copy of proposed contract will be furnished local agency at proper time for review and comment.) 
(6) Department of Commerce will initiate action at the proper time to effect the following: 
(a) Execution of contract between the local government and the Georgia Department of Commerce. 
(b) Furnishing to the Department of Commerce the local cash contribution. 
(c) Notification to local agency as to date of effectiveness of contract and of start of planning work. 
2 
 
 Sample Letter #1 (APPROPRIATE OFFICIAL LETTERHEAD) (Date) 
 
The Director, Georgia Department of Commerce 246 Agriculture Building 7 Hunter Street, S. W. Atlanta 3, Georgia 
 
Dear Sir: 
 
On behalf of the (City of 
 
) (County of 
 
(City of 
 
and County of 
 
, jointly) I hereby request 
 
of the Georgia Department of Commerce planning assistance under the 
 
provisions of Section 701 of the Federal Housing Act of 1954, as amended. 
 
It is realized that one -third of the overall cost of the planning 
 
work involved, with the exception of State planning agency administrative 
 
costs, will be borne by funds to be furnished from local sources. I am 
 
authorized to assure you that such cash contribution will be furnished 
 
when called for by you. 
 
Yours very truly, 
 
/S/ 
 
(TITLE) 
 
3 
 
 Sample Letter #2 
 
(Appropriate Official Letterhead) (Date) 
 
Manager, Planning Division Georgia Department of Commerce 246 Agriculture Building 7 Hunter Street, S. W. Atlanta 3, Georgia 
 
Dear Sir: 
 
On 
 
the Mayor (Commission Chairman) of the City 
 
(=D-a-t- e -o:f-l~ e- tt-e: r- ) 
 
(County) of 
 
made application by letter to the 
 
(Name of City or County) 
 
Director, Georgia Department of Commerce, on behalf of the afore- 
 
mentioned City (County), for planning assistance under the provisions 
 
of Section 701 of the Housing Act of 1954, as amended. 
 
I have exarnined the minutes of the meeting held on 
 
(Date of meeting) 
 
by the City (County) 
 
of the City (County) of 
 
(Council or Commission) 
 
, and find in said minutes that the latter -named ~ (N- am-e-o~f ~ Ci- ty-o- r ~ Co-u- nt~ y) 
 
City (County) 
 
took action duly authorizing that 
 
(Council or Commission) 
 
the above -mentioned application be made. 
 
After due study and consideration, I am of the opinion that the above 
 
named City (County) 
 
is legally empowered to 
 
(Council or Commission) 
 
contract with the Georgia Department of Comrr1erce in order to receive 
 
the planning assistance applied for and to furnish to the aforesaid Depart 
 
ment from said City s (County s) funds the City's (County's) agreed share 
 
of the cost of the work involved. I am of the further opinion that said 
 
actions and said contemplated actions are in conformance with and are 
 
not contrary to or prohibited by the laws of the State of Georgia, or the 
 
4 
 
 Charter or ordinances (resolutions) of City (County) of , Georgia. 
~ (N-a-m-e--o-f ~C~i-ty--o- r ~C-o-u-n- ty~) I certify that there is no known court order, existing or pending, 
or other circumstance that would bar this action. (Signature) 
City (County) Attorney of the City (County) of 
5