Canton's first comprehensive plan update community meeting turned out a small crowd, which officials expect to see grow as the process continues.

The city government is conducting weekly meetings on Tuesday nights through July and possibly into August to hear public opinion on how Canton should be developed from 2010 to 2030.

The state requires local governments to update their comprehensive plans, which includes the future land-use map, zoning guidelines and transportation plan, every 10 years.

The Cherokee County government and most of its cities have nearly completed the process, with Canton getting a later start. While the county's update spurred fierce debate between neighbors, so far the city's process is quieter.

"I knew attendance would be light until we really get into the meat of putting boundaries around character areas," Ken Patton, the city's community development director, said after the first meeting Tuesday night.

Five audience members showed up at Canton City Hall for the meeting: Councilwoman Amelia Rose; Russ Sims, director of planning and forecasting for the Cherokee County School District; Stan Perkins of Southern Landmark Properties in Canton and residents Bill Magruder and Edward Asher.

"I'm always interested in whatever the city's going to do to us," said Magruder, who lives in downtown Canton and frequently attends Canton City Council meetings. "I think input is important. I'm strictly a slow-growth person and am afraid we've overdone it already."

Magruder said the continued uncertainty of the East Main Street district's zoning future also is a concern for him, as it is for those who own property there like Perkins and Asher.

"I got rezoned, and I don't like it, but I'm starting to understand," Asher said, adding he plans to attend as many of the update meetings as possible to learn more about the city-planning process. "What will happen to Main Street? What's the goal? I want the answers, and this may be a way to get the answers."

The city's outreach to the community regarding the update is not limited to the weekly meetings.

A survey is posted on its Web site at www.canton-georgia.com to gather opinions from residents and business owners. Seven thousand copies of the survey also were mailed last week to property owners, with a metered envelope included to encourage response.

Patton said by Tuesday he had received 33 online responses and two completed surveys by mail.

The council also plans on Thursday to appoint a steering committee made up of residents and local business people to assist in the update process. This group will gather separately from the community meetings, Patton said, but there also may be joint meetings.

Patton said he plans to post agendas on the city's Web site prior to each community meeting to let people know what issues will be tackled. Next Tuesday, he said the topics likely will include natural and historical resources, population and housing.

bjacoby@cherokeetribune.com

Comment on this Story