The City of Dacula has completed the first phase of its new Comprehensive Plan and is in the process of establishing preferred scenarios for future growth.  A group of more than 30 residents including members of the City's Comprehensive Planning Steering Committee met in a "Public Visioning" meeting on April 22^nd to identify preferred visual images of development and to sketch out their ideas of what Dacula should look like in 3030. 

The consultant, BRPH, Inc. of Marietta, presented a review of the major issues and opportunities facing the City including a series of population projections for 2030.  The City is expected to increase its population from approximately 4400 persons in 2008 by as little as 30% if the existing city limits stay the same, to as much as 630% if the City annexes large areas along State Route 316.  The consultants recommended planning for a City population of about 14,000 to 17,000 in 2030 including some areas along State Route 316 towards the Apalachee River. 

The April 22^nd "Visioning" process allowed participants to share ideas, voice concerns, and describe the areas where they thought development might occur and the types of development that would be likely over the next two decades.  The ideas gathered in the two workshops will be used to build upon the Community Assessment prepared by the City in concert with Gwinnett County and eight other municipalities and the process recommended by the Community Participation Program to develop the Comprehensive Plan.  Both of these documents have been accepted by the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Dept. of Community Affairs and are available for review at City Hall. 

The Comprehensive Plan process is designed by the State to help ensure public engagement in identifying the types of future growth and development that may occur and in establishing appropriate priorities for spending public funds to accomplish these goals. 

The next Public Meeting will include presentation of different development scenarios and provide the opportunity for citizens and stakeholders to identify their preferences and priorities. The Public Meeting will be held on May 20^th at Dacula City Hall (442 Harbins Road) beginning at 6:30 pm.

For more information, interested persons may contact City Planner Joey Murphy by phone at (770) 963-7451 or by email at dacjmurphy@charter.net.  Comments can also be mailed to Mr. Murphy's attention at P.O. Box 400, Dacula, Georgia 30019.