GA T'7oc>. Pic HI \494 C.lt>3 CORRIDOR Georgia Scenic Byways WHAT IS A CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN? A Corridor Manag em ent Plan (CMP) is a guid e 1'01' the future promotion, pr eserva- tion, and development 01' a scenic byway. It is the result 01' local governments, orga- nizations, and r esidents working tog eth er to document in maps and text the vision for their scenic byway, and to arti culate sp ecifi c strategi es 1'01' promoting, protecting, and dev eloping the qualities that make the byway scenic. A CMP is a document based on existi ng planning docum ents, such as th e community's Comprehensive Plan, and directly references th e parts of th ese docum ents that ar e critical to the byway corridor. A CMP is not a zoning ordinance or oth er r egulation required by th e agency that designates state sceni c byways (the Georgia Depart- m ent 01' Transportation - GDOT). A CMP is a community or regional eff or t to address issues of promotion, pr eservation, and dev elopm ent along th e byway and to spell out goals and objecti ves. AGEMENf PLANS GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION These guid elin es pro vid e th e basic information necessar y to complete the Corridor Management Plan (CMP) st ep in the process 1'01' designating a scenic byway in Georgia. More detailed infurmation is available on different aspects 01' the CMP, includ- ing how to organiz e local effo rts and how to condu ct community-based planning. Please contact the Georgia Scenic Byways Coordlnator or your Regional Develop- ment Cent er for more information (see List of Contacts , Appendix A and List of CMP Publi cations , Appendix B). HOW TO BEGIN As a first st ep in pr eparing a CMI~ the individuals, organization , or committee that initiated the byway Designation Applic ati on should reconvene and decid e if th ey will pr epare the CMP or if they will lorm a new group. This group will then id enti fy all individuals , organizations, and agencies interested in 01' affect ed by th e potential byway. Here is a list 01' repr esentatives to consider : local elected officials utility companies ci ty and county government outdoor advertising repr esentatives agenci es tourism organizations Georgia DOT district officets) Department 01' Industry. Trad e and GOa T Board memb erts) Regional Development Cent er stan Tourism regional repres entative agricultural interests, Extension environmental and conservati on Service, Farm Bureau organizations and/or land trusts Army COl'PS of Engin eers historic pr eservation organizations civ ic clubs and/or historical societi es property own ers, and oth er bi cyclin g organizations interested citizens recr eation groups gard en club local busin ess interests Chamber of Comm erce Main Street or oth er downtown revitalization organization development authorities fnr esuy interests railroad interests C MP.1.99 Page Two GEORGIA SCENIC BYWAYS CREATION OF A VISION FOR THE BYWAY At the first meeting of the group organized to pr epare the CMP, working with the representatives listed above, there should be a discussion of the vision for the byway. The vision is a written stat ement regarding what these representativ es would like to achieve with the byway in the next 10 to 15 years. The vi si on is a written statement regnrditu; what these representatives would like to achieve with the byway in the next 10 to 15 year s. INTERIM MEASURES Once the group agrees to the vision, representatives should discuss what steps, if any, they need to take on an interim basis to promote and preserve the byway. For example, if community educati on is a concern, the group may want to run a series of ar tic les in the local newspaper about the proposed byway, the benefit s of designation , and the signifi cance of the m ute under considerati on. If rapid development along the route is a concern, the group might invite local developers to help design and implement interim measur es along the mute until the CMP is completed. Whether or not any interim measures are enacted is at the discretion of each local community. INFORMATION COLLECTION Next, the group should decide what information on existing conditi ons to collect as background for planning . Volunteers and/or staff members representing some of the agencies listed above in the section on "How to Begin" can collect the tnformation before the next meeting. Information to collect includ es: references to the byway route or parts of the route in any existing planning documents condition of the mad and ri ght- of-way origin and history of the mad or mads invento ry of scenic, natural, historic, arc heological, cultural and recreatio nal resources along the byway (see Designati on Applica tion for definiti ons) li st of sites that ar e tourist attractions and associated interpretive materials linisctluodf itnogucriuslttuervaelnetsveonrtssites along the byway, list of tourist ameniti es along the byway, including overnlght accommodations, restaurants, public restrooms, etc. location of existing and pot ential wildlife viewing ar eas results of a recent visual assessment of the byway, including documentation of non-scenic areas along the byway current zoning and land use planning current development or impr ovement plans inform ati on on current property owners hip The level of detail necessary for collec ti ng inform ation on each of these topics will vary fro m byway to byway. Please contact the Georgia Scenic Byways Coordinator or your Regional Development Center to discuss what information is available and how much new data you need to collect. CORRIDOR MANAGEMENTPLANS Page Three STRATEGY MEETINGS At subsequent meetings the group can r eview the information coll ected and discuss the strategies for pr omoting, pr eserving, and developing the byway. This discussion will be most successful if it is led by a factlitator who can make sure that every one has an opportunity to talk , and who will recor d the results on nip char ts so that everyone can read them as they go through the discussion. Once there is agreement on the suntegies, the group can establish specific goals and objectives fo r each strategy. Once there is agreement on the strategies, the group can establish specifi c goals and objectives for each stra tegy. Depending on the size of the byway group , thi s can be done several ways. While the byway group may choose its own proc ess, here are some suggested approaches: The group can meet with a facili tator and set goals and objecti ves. The gr oup can establi sh committees for each stra tegy, 01' several r elated str ategies. The committees meet and arrive at goals and objectives. The full group would then reconvene and review the r esults of their commi t tee di scuss io ns for appr oval of th e enti re gr oup . One committee can take all of the str ategies and discuss possibl e goals and objecti ves for each. The committee would bring the results of this discussion back to the enti re group for approval. No matter which approach the gr oup selects , the focus should be on the two 01' three most impor tant goals for each of the intrinsic qualities that wer e identified as signifi cant during the applic ati on pr ocess. The goals should focus on opportuniti es for promotion and preservation of the six intri nsic quali ti es: scenic, natural, historic, archeological, cultural, and recreatio nal as defined in the Designati on Appli cati on. Note : If another community planning pro cess, such as dretung or te vtsion of a compretiensive plan, is alrea dy underwaJ~ planning for a scenic byway can be incorporated in to that pro cess. This is an excellent approa cil, and if it is the appro ach taken, it shouk! be documented in the ClliIP. Page Four GEORGIA SCENIC BYWAYS HOW TO PREPARE THE CMP Once the group has completed these meetings and compiled the information, members can put together the CMP document. The information in the CMPshould include, but need not be limited, to the following: Vision for the byway Summary of community involvement in, and support for, the CMP Summary of information collected on existing condi- tions (see list on page two) and assessment of that information Significance of the byway Strategies, goals and objectives for promotion of the byway (possibly including education, interpretation, and tourist amenities) and for other economic development strategies Strategies, goals, and objectives for preservation and enhancement of the scenic, natural, historic and archeological resources Strategies, goals, and objectives for transportation improvements and maintenance to insure safety and appearance Statement acknowledgingFederalrequirements regarding outdoor advertising Identification of and justification for any segmentation of byway sections Summary of the next steps to be taken, including priorities, schedules, funding options, coordination, and monitoring Summary of any areas of disagreement Map(s) Description of the local government's responsibilities Provision for placing scenic byway signs along the route by GDOT Provision that GDOT assumes no financial or other legal responsibility by designating the route as a scenic byway Note: Depending on the length of the byway, for purposes of the eM?, the group may want to divide the route into areas of a certain length and present some or all of this information for each area. Four copies of the CMP containing the information listed above and references to more detailed information must be submitted to GDOT. After review by GDOT staff, the Department of Natural Resources and the Depart- ment of Community Affairs will review the CMP. If any changes are necessary, GDOT will work closely with the applicant to make them. After review by GDOT staff, the request for designation goes to the GDOT Commissioner and Board for final approval. Once designation is complete, the scenic byway will have signs provided by GDOT. Once signed, the byway may be included in promotional materials. While the process outlined here is all that is required for Georgia Scenic Byway designation, it is important for communities to know that a more in-depth CMP is required for National Scenic Byway designation. If a local community, in consultation with GDOT, wants to pursue national designation after receiving state designation, the community should work with GDOT to prepare a CMPthat follows the federal guidelines. HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE CMP Local communities along the byway have the responsibility to implement the CMP. The group formed to apply for designation and/or the group that prepared the CMP should recommend whether it is the best group to implement the plan. If not, a new group should be formed or an existing government agency, such as the planning com'mission, may take the lead. This group will be the management entity for the byway. The management entity can develop an action plan based on the information in the CMP. The action plan will include timelines for completion and list responsible agencies or individuals for each objective in the CMP. A system should be established, perhaps through monthly meetings at first, for checking on the progress that the management entity has made. MONITORING GDOT will periodically monitor the scenic byways throughout the state . If a byway does not maintain its significant intrinsic qualities or if a community no longer chooses to have the byway, it will be de-designated . At that point the route will no longer be listed in the GDOT promotional material, nor will it have byway designation signs. From time to time the organizations involved with the byway should reevaluate the CMP and their success at implementation. If changes are necessary, the group should make them and inform GDOT. Page Five LIST OF CONTACTS GEORGIA Office of Planning Georgia Department of Transportation #2 Capitol Square Atlanta, GA 30334 Phone 404-657-6692 Fax 404-657-5228 www.dot.state.ga.us State Transportation Board Georgia Department of Transportation #2 Capitol Square, Room 104 Atlanta, GA 30334 Phone 404-656-5211 Historic Preservation Division Georgia Department of Natural Resources 500 The Healey Building 57 Forsyth St., NW Atlanta , GA 30303 Phone 404-656-2840 Georgia Department of Community Mfairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, GA 30329-2231 Phone 404-679-4940 Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation 1516 Peachtree St., NW Atlanta , GA 30309 Phone 404-881-9980 www.GeorgiaTrust.org e-mail: gatrust@bellsouth.net Georgia Land Trust Service Center 380 Meigs Street Athens, GA 30601 Phone 706-546-7507 Georgia Department of Industry Trade & Tourism P.O. Box 1776 Atlanta, GA 30301 Phone 404-656-3590 GEORGIA SCENIC BYWAYS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTERS (RDCS) Heart of GA-Altamaha RDC P.O. Drawer 1260 Baxley, GA 31515 Phone 912-367-3648 Georgia Mountains RDC P.O. Box 1720 Gainesville , GA 30503 Phone 770-538-2626 North Georgia ROC 503 West Waugh Street Dalton, GA 30720 Phone 706-272-2300 Central Savannah River RDC P.O. Box 2800 Augusta , GA 30914-2800 Phone 706-667-4192 Lower Chattahoochee ROC 1428 2nd Ave., P.O. Box 1908 Columbus, GA 31902 Phone 706-649-1212 Northeast Georgia ROC 305 Research Drive Athens, GA 30605-2795 Phone 706-369-5650 Chattahoochee-Flint RDC P.O. Box 1600 Franklin, GA 30217 Phone 770-854-6026 South Georgia ROC 327 W. Savannah Avenue Valdosta, GA 31603 Phone 912-333-5277 Coastal Georgia ROC P.O. Box 1917 Brunswick, GA 31521 Phone 912-264-7363 Middle Georgia RDC 175-C Emery Highway Macon, GA 31201 Phone 912-751-6160 Southeast Georgia ROC 3395 Harris Road Waycross, GA 31503 Phone 912-285-6097 Coosa VaHey RDC P.O. Box 1793 Rome, GA 30163-1001 Phone 706-295-6485 Southwest Georgia RDC P.O. Box 346 Camilla, GA 31730 Phone 912-336-5616 Middle Flint RDC 228 West Lamar Street Americus, GA 31709 Phone 912-931-2909 Mcintosh Trail RDC P.O. Box 818 Griffin, GA 30224 Phone 770-227-6300 Atlanta Regional Commission 3715 Northside Parkway Building 200, Suite 300 Atlanta , GA 30327 Phone 404-364-2500 NATIONAL Scenic America 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Suite 300 Washington, DC 20003 Phone 202-543-6200 www.scenic .org National Scenic Byways Clearinghouse 1440 New York Avenue, NW Suite 202 Washington, DC 20005-6011 Phone 1-800-4BYWAYS Phone 202-628-7719 e-mail: clrhouse@byways.org The National Scenic Byways Resource Center 227 West 1st Street, Suite 610 Duluth, MN 55802 Phone 218-529-7551 Federal Highway Administration Georgia Division Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth Street, SW Atlanta, GA 30303-3104 Phone 404-562-3665 CORRIDOR !vlANAGEMENT PLANS Page Six CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN PUBLICATIONS Commllllity Gultie to Plnnnitu; ami Mmwging ;, Scenic Bywa,'; USDO'!: FHWA. Avail able from the Natio nal Scenic Byways Cleari nghouse l-BOO-4BYWAYS. Sewing America's Count,rysillc: A (;uiilc to Rural Conservetion, Second Edition. Samuel Stokes, A. Elizabeth Watson, and Shell y Mastran for th e national Trust for Historic Preser vation. The Johns Hopkins Univers ity Press. wm. Balancing Na ture ami Comm erce in (;ateway Communlties. Jim Howe, Ed McMahon, and Luth er Propst . WB7. Designing Urben Corrktors. Kirk R. Bishop. APA. IBBB. Technical Bulletins produced by Scenic America (202) 54:{-62 00 Corridor Managemcnt PI;lIIs: Guidelines for Communities. 1m)5. Corrillor Managcmcnt, Plnus: Developing Ptens for Scenic Byways, I B05. Aesuieucs ami Commerciet Distrlcts. 1003. Economic ami Community Bettetlts of Scenic lJyways. I BB5 Bvetuntlng Scenic Resourc es. 1006. This publication was wr itten by Susan Kidd, Georgia Scenic Byways Project. She was assisted by the staff of the thr ee organlzati ons that collaborated on the Project; Georgia Departm ent of Transportation, Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. and Scenic Amer ica. The Advisory committee for the Georgia Scenic Byways Project deserves special thanks for their assistance with this publication. From September 1996 to December 1998. they contributed to all of the efforts to establish a program that will pr eserve and promote the state's scenic byways. This publi cation and all of the work of the Project were greatly improved due to the Advisory Committ ee's assistance.