The Planning & Zoning Department has a mission to guide the sustainable growth and development of the community through thoughtful land use planning and zoning regulations. This includes the administration of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Zoning, Site Plan and Subdivision Regulations, Flood Management Plan, and Ordinances.
The Planning Department serves the needs of current and new residents, businesses, and developments ensuring that the community develops in a balanced and efficient manner.
In addition, this department advises and aids the Lee County Planning Commission, the Lee County Board of Commissioners, and the Leesburg and Smithville City Councils with decisions relating to growth management, subdivision review and approval, site planning, text-amendments, variances, and conditional uses.
Whether you are looking to build, modify, or understand zoning laws, our team is here to provide assistance and support.
Forms
Planning Commission
GIS Maps
Stormwater Management Department
Planning & Development Fee Schedule
Lee County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 70 - Zoning
Comprehensive Plan
The comprehensive plan is a long-range (15-20 year) statement of a community’s vision for development (and redevelopment). By addressing the entire physical environment of the county and the multitudes of functions, policies, and programs that comprise their day to day workings, the plan seeks to guide the what, when, where, why and how of future physical changes to the landscape of Lee County and its municipalities.
The purpose of a comprehensive plan is to provide a guide for local government officials and other community leaders for making everyday decisions that are supportive of the community’s stated goals for its future. The plan should serve as the local government’s guide for assessing development proposals, including rezoning applications and redevelopment plans. For residents, business owners and members of the development community, the plan provides insight into what types of land uses and development are appropriate at various locations throughout the city. Finally, evaluating various local government functions and services, the plan is a point of reference for government staff in preparing capital improvements programs and associated budgets.
Capital Improvements Element Information
All local governments that utilize an impact fee system under the Georgia Development Impact Fee Act must include a Capital Improvements Element (CIE) in their comprehensive plans and update this Capital Improvements Element portion of their plan annually. The CIE Update is a useful tool that gives the community a clear idea of how and where your Impact Fees are being used.
The CIE Update must include two components: Annual Financial Report and Schedule of Improvements/STWP Addendum. The purpose of the Annual Financial Report is to provide an overview of impact fees collected, encumbered and used by category of public facility and service area for the last completed fiscal year. The financial report does not include information for the current year. The purpose of the Schedule of Improvements is to identify all capital improvement projects to be financed in whole or in part by impact fees during the upcoming five years, beginning with the current year. This must include any changes to previously listed capital improvement projects (such as adjustment of project costs, changes in funding sources, construction schedules, or project scope) plus a new fifth year schedule of improvements for projects to be funded with impact fees.
The Board of Commissioners must hold at least one public hearing for the CIE Update once completed. The purpose of the public hearing is to inform the public of the contents of the draft CIE Update to receive suggestions and comments on the document. Copies of the draft CIE Update are available to the public sufficiently in advance of this hearing to allow time for citizens to review and formulate their comments prior to the hearing. Following the public hearing, the CIE update is submitted to the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission and subsequently the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for review and approval.
Contact Information
Kara Hanson
Office Manager/Planning Assistant
kara.hanson@lee.ga.us
Department Contact #:
229-759-6038
If you have any questions please contact Kara Hanson Office Manager/ Planning Assistant at kara.hanson@lee.ga.us
GIS
Kacee Smith
GIS Manager
kacee.smith@lee.ga.us
Charles
GIS Technician
Department Contact #:
229-759-6000 Ext 2491
If you have any questions please contact Kacee Smith GIS Manager at Kacee.smith@lee.ga.us
T. Page Tharp Governmental Building
102 Starksville Avenue North
Leesburg, Georgia 31763
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