Comprehensive Plan 2021-2026

PREPARED BY

CSRA Regional Commission

- Planning Department

PREPARED FOR

The Mayor and City Council of Grovetown, Georgia

ADOPTED

_______ 2021

STAKEHOLDER COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Elaine Matthews Harmit Bedi Jonathan Bush Allen Transou Eric Blair Terry Hays Robert Johnson Samantha Brown Estacy Porter Ed Connell Jennifer Bramblett Shelly Kandian Abby Miller Michael Franks

CITY CONTACT

103 Old Wrightsboro Road Grovetown, GA 30813-3015 706-863-4576 http://www.cityofgrovetown.com/

Planning Context Existing Conditions Community Vision

Plan Appendix

Contents

Implementation

1 9 51

73 89

Comprehensive Plan 2021-2026

The Mayor and Council members of the City of Grovetown acknowledge the input and efforts of all individuals who contributed to the creation of this comprehensive plan document.

This plan will provide important information for community members and decision makers in the future. To get to this point, Central Savannah River Area

Regional Commission (CSRA-RC) staff assisted the city by:

Facilitating multiple meetings with community members and leaders, where they discussed the future of Grovetown

Conducting a community survey

Compiling research and analysis

Creating various plan components and assembling the plan document

Dedicated municipal staff were critical in the development of the comprehensive plan, providing key background information, plan review, and sound ideas for inclusion.

Planning Context

CHAPTER

Defining a Comprehensive Plan and the Planning Process Community Background

Public Involvement Overview

What is the Comprehensive Plan?

A Guide for the Future

The Grovetown Comprehensive Plan is the official guiding document for the future of the city. The comprehensive plan serves the following functions:

The plan document also targets the following areas, providing information, assessment and guidance:

In conjunction with the county’s Service Delivery Strategy and other supporting documents, the comprehensive plan document becomes a powerful resource for elected and appointed officials as they deliberate development issues and convey policy to their respective citizenry. Other plans of influence and consideration for city efforts include:

The Plan and the Process Counties, cities, and towns all experience change at various points in time - be it demographic, geographic, or economic. These changes are factors that together determine the long-term viability of these localities.

One important thing to remember is that the effects of change are different for communities that can anticipate and accommodate it. Communities that fail to plan can face negative consequences that could have been avoided or mitigated with proper planning. Community stabilization and quality growth begin with a consistent locally-generated vision and a plan of implementation that can spark economic opportunity and social cohesiveness in any given town, city, county, or region.

Grovetown officials acknowledge the importance of this comprehensive planning process in addressing multiple community needs and opportunities. These include the overarching subject areas of: broadband, housing, economic development, community facilities, natural and cultural resources, transportation and future land use. This document consolidates identified issues and locally-generated solutions.

PLANNING CONTEXT

Columbia County CSRA Region

Community Background

The City of Grovetown is located in Columbia County, Georgia. It is one of 41 municipalities within the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Region of Georgia and one (1) of two (2) incorporated jurisdictions in the county. The CSRA Regional Commission is the regional entity for the area and works with the local governments on multiple projects.

Grovetown is located in southeast Columbia County and is its fastest-growing municipality (estimated at nearly 16,000). With the urbanized area of metropolitan Augusta and developing unincorporated areas of Evans and Martinez nearby, the city has unique benefits and challenges. Also, its proximity to Fort Gordon makes it a home to many military members and affords it a number of growth opportunities. As described on the city’s website: “...new residential development fuels Grovetown’s conversion from a ‘country crossroads’ into a community with all of the amenities of a 21st century city.

This combination of country charm and modern amenities serves as the basis for why Grovetown proclaims itself as ‘A Community that Cares’.”

As the city’s population continues to expand, so do the services it provides and staff it employs.

It is said that the community of Grovetown grew from Old Grove Baptist Church, established in 1808 in Columbia County. James M. Atkinson, a Georgia legislator, journalist, and the church’s minister, advocated for the community to incorporate. The City of “Grovetown” was incorporated in 1881 by charter from the Georgia General Assembly. James M. Atkinson is buried in the present day Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Grovetown. He is best remembered as the founder of The Columbia Sentinel newspaper in 1882, forerunner of the Columbia County News Times.

GROVETOWN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2021-2026

Urban Redevelopment Plan

(URP)

The URP was created by the CSRA-RC and adopted in 2012.

It designated several areas in the community for redevelopment and included suggestions for several topic areas: housing, public green space, and bicycle/ pedestrian facilities.

2016 Comprehensive Plan

This comprehensive plan update reviewed the goals from the previous plan and reassessed available information to formulate a new community work program.

Prior Planning Initiatives 1991-2016

The comprehensive plan is a living document that should be updated as the community changes. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) requires 5-year updates of the comprehensive plan to ensure community needs are met. The Grovetown Comprehensive Plan 1991-2011 was prepared by the then titled CSRA Regional Development Center (CSRA RDC) and completed in 1991. Consistent with DCA standards, the plan outlined municipal conditions that existed at the time and formulated goals to address those conditions. The Grovetown Comprehensive Plan 2006-2016 was also prepared by the CSRA RDC and adopted in 2007. This plan provided a full community assessment and created long-term goals regarding economic development, housing, natural and cultural resources, community facilities, transportation, and land use.

Below are additional efforts from the last decade:

Form-Based Code

Following the adoption of the URP, the city pursued the creation of a form-based code.

Part of the form-based code regulates a series of City Center districts intended to promote redevelopment in the city center as defined by the URP. The code also furthers the public purposes of reinforcing the city center, maintaining the local “small town” human scale atmosphere, and protecting/enhancing the city’s attractiveness through high quality, distinctive design. The code was updated in 2020.

These and other locally driven planning documents serve as reference points for the new comprehensive plan, which will supersede all prior comprehensive plans.

Plan Development Process

The DCA required minimum planning procedures for comprehensive plan are as follows:

First Required Public HearingFirst Required Public Hearing Briefs the public on the process and describes Briefs the public on the process and describes opportunities to participateopportunities to participate

Plan DevelopmentPlan Development Includes opportunities for involvement from Includes opportunities for involvement from stakeholders and community membersstakeholders and community members

Second Public HearingSecond Public Hearing Provides an opportunity for comment on the Provides an opportunity for comment on the publicly available draft plan and notifies the public publicly available draft plan and notifies the public of plan submittal for official reviewof plan submittal for official review

Submittal of Draft Plan for ReviewSubmittal of Draft Plan for Review Requires a formal letter from the highest elected Requires a formal letter from the highest elected official to the CSRA-RC (submits plan to DCA)official to the CSRA-RC (submits plan to DCA)

Notification of Interested PartiesNotification of Interested Parties Provides all interested parties (other governments, Provides all interested parties (other governments, state agencies, etc) the opportunity for plan for state agencies, etc) the opportunity for plan for review and commentreview and comment

Regional Commission & DCA ReviewRegional Commission & DCA Review Includes RC review for potential conflicts and DCA Includes RC review for potential conflicts and DCA review for statute compliance review for statute compliance

Report of Findings and Recommendations Is transmitted within 40 days after submittal

Plan Revisions Revisions may be made to the plan to meet state requirements or address comments from interested parties

Plan Adoption Occurs after official approval of the plan by DCA

Notification of Local Adoption Requires the submittal of signed resolution and adopted plan to the RC within 7 days; RC forwards to DCA

Qualified Local Government Certification (QLGC) Includes a written notification from DCA that the city’s QLGC has been extended

Publicizing the Plan Occurs after plan adoption and informs citizens of final plan availability

Service Delivery Strategy

Georgia’s “Service Delivery Strategy Act” (O.C.G.A. 36-70) was adopted in 1997 by the Georgia General Assembly. It required counties and incorporated municipalities to adopt a joint service delivery strategy (SDS). The SDS is supported by appropriate ordinances and intergovernmental agreements, for providing local government services and resolving land use conflicts within a county. The purpose is for local governments to examine public services, identify overlap or gaps in service provisions, and develop a better approach to allocating the delivery and funding of these services among local governments and other authorities within each county. Columbia County, Grovetown, and Harlem participate in joint updates of the service delivery strategy.

Plan Components

A comprehensive plan should be composed to reflect the vision, goals and objectives for all communities involved in the process.

The city of Grovetown selected the CSRA- RC as its planning coordinator for the new Comprehensive Plan 2021-2026. This document has been prepared to exceed the minimum requirements of Georgia DCA’s 2018 Minimum Standards and Procedures For Local Comprehensive Planning.

This Plan includes the following state-required and elective components:

Needs & Opportunities | Community Goals Public Involvement | Housing Broadband & Technology Services | Land Use Economic Development | Transportation Natural & Cultural Resources Community Facilities & Services Community Work Program

Stakeholder Committee Consistent public input is a necessary component for the creation and completion of this comprehensive plan document. A committee of stakeholders (e.g. elected and appointed officials, government employees and residents) was created to guide the planning process. The primary purpose of this committee was assuring that CSRA-RC staff reflect the shared goals, objectives, and activities of the community.

The members of the stakeholder committee for this planning process were:

Public Involvement Overview

The development of the comprehensive plan involves information and feedback from the public. As a locally-generated plan, it cannot be completed without community input. The public involvement process serves several purposes, including:

• Educating community leaders

• Building community support

• Reminding residents that their ideas matter

Each individual at the planning table represents many others and provides local insight that is invaluable to planners.

Additional Involvement Additional public input communication channels included an online community survey, social media posts, a water bill insert, and website links.

More information and documentation of this, public hearings and stakeholder committee meetings are contained in the appendix.

Meetings and Hearings The Stakeholder Committee meetings were held on the following dates:

These meetings were held in person; they were also live-streamed via the City’s Facebook page and monitored for questions and comments.

Two required public hearings were held during the planning process to provide residents the opportunity to comment on the substance of the plan.

These hearings were held on:

Existing Conditions

CHAPTER

Foundational to the planning effort, this section of the comprehensive plan includes information and assessment of the following: General Demographics, Housing, Land Use, Economic Development, Transportation, Broadband & Technology Services, Community Facilities & Services, and Natural & Cultural Resources

Grovetown is a place that is rapidly growing and changing. The Grovetown Comprehensive Plan is the official guiding document for the future of the city. The dynamics of Grovetown’s population and demographic trends provide essential information in the decision-making process for certain plans and projects taking place over the next few years.

Data collected from the U.S. Census Bureau is the basis for the analysis of demographic and related changes throughout this document. Census data from the years 1990, 2000, and 2010, along with the 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2018 ACS) are used. The source data for ACS estimates include a margin of error (MoE).

The topics covered in this section of the plan include:

General Demographics

Population HouseholdsAge

Income Poverty

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Population

One word that describes the population change in the City of Grovetown over the last 30 years is “growth.” According to the 2018 ACS, the city’s population has reached 13,658 and will likely be higher when the 2020 Census results are released.

Grovetown has continued its trajectory of rapid population increase. Between 1990 and 2018, the city added 10,000 residents. The growth rate has slowed over the last decade. Where the city experienced an explosive 84% growth between 2000 and 2010, it only experienced 22% between 2010 and 2018. That is still faster than Harlem (14.6%), Columbia County (18.7%) and the state as a whole (8.6%).

Growth in and around the city can be attributed to, in part, growth at Fort Gordon.

Columbia County is one of Georgia’s fastest growing counties and is the fastest growing county in the CSRA region. Both Columbia County and the state of Georgia have experienced a similar growth.

Although growth can be a very positive thing, it must be properly managed. Stakeholders who’ve lived and worked in Grovetown differing amounts of time share in witnessing the changes in the built environment and want the city to control its growth. Land use, infrastructure, and housing to support new residential and commercial development will continue to be important as time progresses.

Figure 2.1: Total Population

1990 2000 2010 2018 Harlem 2,199 1,796 2,666 3,054 Grovetown 3,596 6,089 11,216 13,658 Columbia County 66,031 89,288 124,053 147,295 Georgia 6,478,216 8,186,453 9,687,653 10,519,475

Source: Decennial Census and 2014-2018 American Community Survey (2018 ACS)

Age Distribution

0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0%

Under 5 5-9 Years

10-14 Years 15-19 Years 20-24 Years 25-34 Years 35-44 Years 45-54 Years 55-59 Years 60-64 Years 65-74 Years 75-84 Years

85 Years and Older

Percent of Population

2018 2010

Figure 2.2: Resident Age Distribution in Grovetown

Source: 2010 Decennial Census and 2014-2018 ACS 5-year estimates

Grovetown residents are still among the youngest in the CSRA. The median age in Grovetown is 30.5, compared to 36.6 in the county and 31.7 in Harlem. This does represent a 2 year increase for Grovetown. The age group containing the largest percentage of residents is 25-34 (27.7%), followed by 35-44 (14.4%). These two age groups have remained the largest groups since the 2010 Census.

Children 9 and under continue to make up 20% of the population. However, the percentage of older children and young adults has slightly decreased.

Approximately 6% of residents are age 65+.

Although the portion of the seniors is small, city efforts to accommodate this group with affordable housing, healthcare, and amenities remains important.

Racial & Ethnic Composition

The two major racial groups in the city have remained Caucasian/White and African-American/Black over time. Collectively these groups comprise over 75% of the population.

Compared with Harlem and Columbia County, Grovetown has the largest percentage of its population that identifies as Hispanic with 13.3% (2018 ACS). Columbia county has 6.4%, and Harlem has 1.4%. This percentage for Grovetown has remained steady since 2010.

Households

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a household “consists of all the people who occupy a housing unit,” and “includes the related family members and all the unrelated people, if any, such as lodgers, foster children, wards, or employees” or “A person living alone in a housing unit, or a group of unrelated people sharing a housing unit such as partners or roomers.”

Not only has the City of Grovetown experienced growth in overall population, it has also experienced growth in the number of households. 2018 ACS data indicates a 12.2% increase in the number of households, going from 3,896 in 2010 to 4,370.

Of those, over 70% are family households. This is similar to the makeup of Harlem, which has 68% family households, as well as the CSRA overall. It also represents a slight decline since 2010, when 75% of households were family households. Married couples continue to represent the largest family household group, as well as approximately half of all households overall.

71.10%

28.90%

Chart Title Family Households Nonfamily Households

Source: 2014-2018 ACS 5-year estimates

Figure 2.3: Household Types

Income and Poverty

The City of Grovetown has experienced a significant increase in median household income (MHI) since the year 2000. According to the 2018 ACS, the MHI in Grovetown over the estimate period was $61,152. This is nearly $30,000 more than in the year 2000, and it’s also higher than both the city of Harlem and the state of Georgia. Additionally, the MHI gap between the city and Columbia County has shrunk from $22,000 to $15,000 between 2000 and 2018.

The poverty threshold (also referred to as the poverty line) can be defined as the point at which household income can no longer provide the necessities to the members of the household. Figure

2.5 illustrates the number of residents and percentage of population in poverty for Grovetown, Harlem and Columbia County, based on ACS data. Harlem has the largest percentage of residents in poverty with 15.4%.

The total population below the poverty level in Grovetown was 13.1%. This represents a decline from 18.6% (1,143 residents) in the year 2000. Additionally, family households below the poverty level was 9.3%.

It is important to also note that all three communities experienced increases in the number of residents below the poverty line. Columbia County’s increase was the largest with over 8,400 new residents in poverty since 2000. Allocating funds or creating programs to address resident poverty will require more resources, not less.

$0

$10,000

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

$60,000

$70,000

$80,000

$90,000

Harlem Grovetown Columbia County Georgia

Median Household Income

Median Household Income 2000 Median Household Income 2018

Figure 2.4: Median Household Income Source: 2000 Decennial Census and 2014-2018 ACS 5-year estimates

Given significant population increases, along with increases in income and poverty, the city must be diligent in examining services, housing, and amenities it is able to provide to accommodate new and existing resident needs. Population growth often brings increased housing and economic development opportunities and challenges. As both population and development increase, planning appropriately becomes increasingly critical to ensure resident quality of life. Different population subgroups desire different things, but they also bring much-needed diversity to the community.

Figure 2.5: Residents Living in Poverty

2000 2014-2018 Percent of Population

Grovetown 1,143 1,773 13.1%

Columbia County 4,540 12,954 8.8%

Harlem 304 471 15.4% Source: 2000 Decennial Census, 2014-2018 ACS 5-year estimates

The strength and capability of a community’s labor force influences several aspects of the overall well-being of the area, including, but not limited to, development and quality of life. Grovetown does not currently have staff positions fully dedicated to economic development, so as it grows, this should be a consideration. Additionally, strengthening the city’s relationship with the Columbia County Development Authority and Columbia County Chamber of Commerce can provide more opportunities to advance local economic development initiatives.

The information and assessment in this section can aid county and municipal leaders in making planning and policy decisions to advance Grovetown’s economic development goals.

This section of the plan document provides information on and summarizes the following:

Economic Development

Employment by Industry

Labor Force Participation

Household Income Distribution

Future GrowthEducational Attainment

Labor Force Participation

Population growth often leads to an expanded labor force. Between 2000 and 2018, the population of residents 16 years and over in Grovetown more than doubled from 4,193 to 9,829. Approximately 70 percent of that group is participating in the labor force. The civilian unemployed percentage is 5.6% of the total available labor force. Given Grovetown’s proximity to Fort Gordon, it is not surprising that the city has the highest percentage of armed forces between it, Harlem, and Columbia County. Considering the current and forthcoming growth at Army Cyber Command (Fort Gordon), the city should increase its outreach to the installation to understand the off-post needs of the workforce.

Figure 2.6: Grovetown Employment by Industry

Number Percent Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining

0 0.00%

Construction 487 9.80% Manufacturing 538 10.80% Wholesale trade 70 1.40%

Retail trade 605 12.20%

Transportation and warehousing, and utilities

99 2.00%

Information 110 2.20%

Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing

187 3.80%

Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services

679 13.70%

Educational services, and health care and social assistance

973 19.60%

Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

481 9.70%

Other services, except public administration

163 3.30%

Public administration 570 11.50%

Source: 2018 ACS

Employment By Industry

As of the 2018 ACS, the total civilian employed population 16 years and over is 4,962 in Grovetown. The three (3) industries with the largest percentage of employment are:

Educational Services et. al (19.6%), Professional Services et. al (17.7%), and Retail Trade (12.2%). The Educational Services industry is also the largest in Harlem and Columbia County, with 21% and 26% respectively. The smallest industries are Agriculture et. al and Wholesale Trade.

50.5%

5.6%

14.1%

29.8% Employed

Unemployed

Armed Forces

Not in labor force 50.5%

5.6%

14.1%

29.8% Employed

Unemployed

Armed Forces

Not in labor force

Source: 2014-2018 ACS

Figure 2.7: Grovetown Labor Force Participation

Educational Attainment

The 2018 ACS data indicates that 89.1% of the population in Grovetown is a high school graduate or beyond. This represents that 10% of the population does not have a high school diploma or equivalent. City officials are interested in new, higher-paying jobs for residents.

Household Income Distribution

The chart below illustrates the distribution of household income throughout the city of Grovetown based on the 2018 ACS. As mentioned in the General Demographics section, the median household income in Grovetown rose from $33,382 in 2000 to $61,152 in 2018. Approximately 23 percent of households in 2018 had an income between $50,000 and $74,999. The percentage of households with an income of less than $10,000 was less than 10%; this represents an increase from 2.2 percent in 2013 ACS estimates and a slight decrease since the 2000 Census. Over the last 20 years, the percentage of households earning $75,000-99,999 has increased significantly, from just 5.6% in the year 2000.

7%

5%

7%

4%

16%

23%

22%

12%

3%

1%

Less than $10,000

$10,000 - $14,999

$15,000 to $24,999

$25,000 to $34,999

$35,000 to $49,999

$50,000 to $74,999

$75,000 to $99,999

$100,000 to $149,999

$150,000 to $199,999

$200,000 or more

Figure 2.9: Percent of Total Households by

Income Range

Source: 2014-2018 ACS, data.census.gov table

A combination effort that will aid this includes:

• Reviewing the education level of existing residents,

• Meeting with local industry leaders to understand needs and availability, and

• Working with educational institutions to provide necessary and desired courses.

Source: 2014-2018 ACS

Figure 2.8: Educational Attainment in Grovetown

Desired New Businesses & Future Growth

Part of the community survey revealed some residents’ desires for certain types of new businesses in Grovetown. The list is not all-inclusive but represents a standard compilation of businesses. The respondents echoed other stakeholder conversations and represented commonalities with what many residents seek across the CSRA in their communities. Restaurants and retail were the standout business types. City officials would like to see growth of businesses overall within city limits. Many locations that are associated with Grovetown, such as the large commercial development off I-20, are not in city limits.

As the city grows, it’s likely to attract more chain establishments, and it will be up to the local ordinances and location-specific rules to dictate the form and appearance of those structures.

Finding and creating new uses for vacant spaces is also a priority for the city. Reusing existing structures can benefit the community in a number of ways: preserving character, saving money and time, preserving undeveloped land, etc. One recent space reuse is that of a former grocery store; it’s now occupied by a furniture store.

Additional businesses not mentioned in the survey that may arise are those related to growth at Fort Gordon. These include cyber-related contractors that would support the mission side of the installation or daycare centers and other family-related businesses that would support workers.

Figure 2.10:

Survey Question #26 - What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Grovetown? Check all that apply.

Grocery Store

Drugstore Pharmacy

Restaurant Bar Medical Office

Clothing/ Home Goods Store

Hair Salon/ Barbershop

All of the Above

None of the Above

The majority of land use within the City of Grovetown is dedicated to residential properties.

Providing quality, diverse housing options should be a priority for any community that seeks to create or maintain a certain quality of life and attract new residents and businesses.

Information regarding the availability, adequacy, and suitability of housing is presented in this section through an analysis of the following:

Housing

Occupancy & Tenure Type Cost

Number of Units Age

Housing Occupancy and Tenure

Grovetown has experienced several changes in its occupancy stats and home ownership over the last decade. Notably, although the overall number of units has increased more than 1,000 since 2010, the percentage of occupied housing has decreased from 91% to 79%.

Grovetown, like other cities, has a significant amout of single-family detached housing. Local conversations around housing development often are for homeownership subdivisions. However, tenure appears to be shifting toward a greater percentage of renters and fewer homeowners.

Approximately 56% of occupied housing units were occupied by owners in the 2018 ACS, compared to 63% in the 2010 Census.

Number Of Housing Units

With an increasing population, the need for housing availability and affordability increases. According to the 2018 ACS, the city of Grovetown contains 5,554 housing units. This represents a significant increase since the 2000 Census, when there were only 2,368 units reported. Housing unit growth within Grovetown has outpaced growth in both Harlem and Columbia County; this increase is consistent with its rapid population growth.

Figure 2.12: Change in Number of Housing Units 2000-2018

Census

ACS Change Percent

Change Grovetown 2,368 5,554 3,186 134.5% Columbia County 33,321 56,178 22,857 68.6% Harlem 789 1,320 531 67.3%

Source: 2000 Census and 2018 ACS

2,368

4,361

5,554

2000 2010 2018

Chart Title Figure 2.11: Number of Housing Units in

Grovetown Source: 2014-2018 ACS

Figure 2.13: Housing Occupancy and Tenure 2010 2018

Number Percent Number Percent Total Housing Units 4,361 100.0% 5,554 100.0% Occupied 3,953 90.6% 4,370 78.7% Vacant 408 9.4% 1,184 21.3% Owner Occupied 2,489 63.0% 2,446 56.0% Renter Occupied 1,464 37.0% 1,924 44.0%

Source: 2010 Census and 2018 ACS

3,515

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000

Single Units (Detached)

Single Units (Attached)

Double Units

3 to 9 Units

10 to 19 Units

20 or More

Mobile Homes or Trailers

Number of Housing Units by TypeFigure 2.14: Number of Housing Units by Type Source: 2014-2018 ACS

Housing Types

Having a variety of housing types can be very important for a community as it enables more flexibility to meet the needs of a diverse population. As stated previously, Grovetown and its neighboring communities are growing; as that growth continues, location and type of housing may have an effect on new residents.

According to the data in the 2018 ACS, displayed below, Grovetown doesn’t have as much housing diversity as it could. Cities and counties across the CSRA also lack diversity. Roughly 63 percent of the housing stock consists of single-family detached dwellings, up from 51% in the 2000 Census. The next largest groups are single-family attached and mobile homes. In the year 2000, 41 percent of housing units were mobile homes; that has decreased to 12%. Smaller apartment complexes (3 to 19 units) have provided the majority of available multifamily housing within Grovetown.

Since the ACS, larger (20+ unit) apartment developments have been constructed.

Increasing the number of double and multifamily options could make the city more appealing to seniors and younger professionals looking for small accommodations. It will also support the rental market in the area. Although the inclusion of tiny homes would increase the singe unit count, it may be beneficial for other reasons.

Housing Cost

Between the years 2000 and 2018, both the median value of homes and median rent increased across Columbia County. Grovetown experienced a significant increase in home values in particular, from $85,600 to $147,500. The 2018 level is lower than the state of Georgia and higher than Harlem.

Columbia County retains the highest median home values at over $190,000.

In the 2018 ACS, 25.8% of owner-occupied homes in Grovetown were valued $150,000-199,999, and another 20% were valued at $200,000 and up. This represents a significant shift in value distribution since the year 2000, when 65.8% percent of homes were valued $50,000-99,999.

Columbia County has the highest median housing value of all the counties in the CSRA region. Efforts to retain housing affordability and create housing diversity of price should be made.

This can include developments specifically for (or that include set asides for) seniors, workforce, and lower-income residents.

Mixed-income neighborhoods are achievable and maintainable in the city.

As the cost of buying a home has risen, so has the cost of renting one. As of 2018, the median rent for Columbia County and its municipalities were as follows:

• Harlem - $841

• Grovetown - $1,164

• Columbia County - $1,134

• Georgia - $968

As the three jurisdictions unofficially compete for residents, overall quality of life (e.g. traffic, access to parks, commute time, etc.) will be a consideration for many individuals. Over the last 20 years, median rent in Grovetown has nearly tripled, reaching $1,164 from $421 in 2000. This is the largest increase among the city, Harlem, and the county. Based on the ACS data, Grovetown emerged as the more expensive rental location; the city must examine everything it can offer and promote for residents. Additionally, rental housing availability and pricing should be looked at carefully. The cost of rent could be a factor in the increased housing cost burden some families experience.

$117,300 $147,500

$192,200 $166,800

$0

$50,000

$100,000

$150,000

$200,000

$250,000

Harlem Grovetown Columbia County

Georgia

Median Value 2018Figure 2.15: Median Home Value

Source: 2014-2018 ACS

10.2%

13.5%

29.0%

25.8%

16.5%

4.1%

0.5%

0.4%

Less than $50,000

$50,000 to $99,999

$100,000 to $149,999

$150,000 to $199,999

$200,000 to $299,999

$300,000 to $499,999

$500,000 to $999,999

$1,000,000 or more

Source: 2014-2018 ACS

Figure 2.16: Grovetown Owner-Occupied Home Value Distribution

Figure 2.18: Community Survey Question #12:

Please rank the following housing topics based on their importance to you from 1-5 (with 1 being most important).

Preserving Historic Character

Removing Dilapidated

Buildings

Creating Mixed-use

Neighborhoods

Building New Housing

Beautifying Existing

Neighborhoods

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

4.5

Age Of Housing

With 75.8% of the housing stock built since 1990, Grovetown is a community of newer homes, representative of its growth in recent years. Based on the 2018 ACS, the majority (53.7%) of housing in the city was constructed between 1990 and 2009. This represents a significant difference between Grovetown, the state, and its neighbors. In Harlem, for example, only 24.2% of it’s housing stock was constructed over the same period.

Part of the community survey for this comprehensive plan process asked residents to rank housing topics of importance. The most important topics for respondents were removing dilapidated buildings, beautifying existing neighborhoods, and preserving historic character.

Grovetown does not have many historic homes remaining, in part because of demolition, neglect and lack of preservation. Preservation of older homes that remain should be carefully considered, particularly in areas where new development is occurring or redevelopment will occur. Places like the Clifford House would benefit from a preservation plan for upkeep and reuse.

More information on this site and others is located in the Natural & Cultural Resources section.

Housing rehabilitation is a beneficial tool for aging and deteriorating dwellings (historic or not), which are both present in the city. State and federal programs and funding are available to assist jurisdictions and homeowners. One such program is the Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP) grant for housing rehab and new construction for infill and sale.

The USDA also provides funding.

Not all buildings can be rehabbed or reused. Some will have to be demolished. The city has developed a blighted properties list and is interested in a full housing inventory to better understand the amount and condition of all housing units in the city at this time. Participating in a program like the GA Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) may be beneficial to the city for resources and peer networking with communities pursing similar housing activities.

2.3%

21.8%

53.7%

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Grovetown

Older Than 1960 1960-1989

1990-2009 Since 2010

Figure 2.17: Age of Housing in Grovetown

Source: 2014-2018 ACS

Broadband (aka high-speed Internet) is critical to higher quality of life and high-functioning business operations. It impacts many sectors including education, healthcare, and agriculture. Rural communities tend to experience a more significant struggle for adequate access; urban communities have struggles as well, although different. Information on census-block level access comes from the Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative (GBDI): https://broadband.georgia.gov/maps for this section of the plan.

This section of the plan includes information on the following:

Broadband & Technology Services

Broadband and the ACE Act

Served/Unserved Areas

Funding and Initiatives

Household Internet Use

City Information Technology

Grovetown has an IT Manager who will be a key team member in discussions on broadband and technology. The City network currently resides on a 10GB all fiber dual ring redundant backbone to prevent all city locations from being denied Internet access in case of a fiber cut or a natural disaster. The City has a full heuristic cyber security suite that includes off site backup to combat malware such as a virus that corrupts data or ransom-ware that encrypts data. The suite also allows for in depth analysis of any intrusion or attempted intrusion. All workers also receive quarterly training on the most current threats.

Emerging technologies such as 5G service are also being considered but require additional time and resources before concrete plans can be made.

City Information Technology (IT)

Broadband And The Ace Act

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) currently defines high speed Internet access as download speeds of at least 25 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps. The infrastructure of Broadband is often referred to as its architecture. The backbone or trunk lines are the major high-speed transmission lines that link smaller networks across the country. The middle mile is the connection between the backbone network and local networks. The last mile is the connection between the local network and end user homes and businesses. Broadband includes several high-speed transmission technologies, such as fiber optic, wireless, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and coaxial cable.

In 2018, the Georgia General Assembly passed “Achieving Connectivity Everywhere (ACE) Act” as Senate Bill 402. One part of the law requires that each local government in the state incorporate a “Broadband Services Element” into its local comprehensive plan. The act requires local governments to plan for Broadband whereby the Act provides some guidance for deployment of infrastructure planning. The Act also enables local governments to take advantage of applying for financial incentives for broadband services, if they meet criteria. The Act also enables the Georgia Department of Transportation to use interstate highway rights-of-way for deployment of broadband services and other emerging communications technologies.

Working with several other state agencies, providers and the regional commissions, DCA has determined and mapped areas in the state that are served and unserved areas for broadband availability. An unserved area means a census block in which broadband services are not available to 20 percent or more of the locations as determined by DCA. Readers should also note that a served area does not imply subscription, only access.

Map 2.1: Census Blocks Served by Broadband

Source: DCA, GBDI; June 2020

Initiatives And Funding

The Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative (GBDI), represents a collaborative effort by multiple state agencies to promote and deploy broadband level Internet in unserved areas across Georgia. This service is for a minimum of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds. GBDI launched in 2018. According to DCA’s website, “The purpose of the Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative is to coordinate and establish broadband programs to increase economic, education, and social opportunities for Georgia citizens and businesses. The initiative provides for the expansion of broadband infrastructure and services through new state and local broadband planning policies.”

- https://broadband.georgia.gov/about

One major component of the GBDI is helping communities achieve Broadband Ready Community designation. This designation demonstrates a government’s effort in reducing barriers to broadband development. Two necessary steps in the process are including a broadband element in the comprehensive plan and adopt the state’s broadband model ordinance. Communities with the designation receive additional points when applying for state funds.

The state of Georgia has appropriated $30 million in AFY21/FY22 for broadband grants to OneGeorgia eligible communities. A 50% cash match is required, and project eligibility will be determined in part on the GBDI map of served areas.

Additional funding exists through programs such as USDA Reconnect and the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, but much of Grovetown may not be eligible for those funds based on population density.

Map 2.2: Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I Results

Figure 2.20: Download Speeds in the Grovetown Zip Code

Figure 2.19: Household Internet Use in Grovetown (2018)

Total households 4,370 ±429 4,370 With a computer 4,080 ±398 93.4% With a broadband Internet subscription 3,181 ±344 72.8%

Source: 2014-2018 American Community Survey

Household Internet Use

According to the 2018 ACS, 93% of households in Grovetown have a computer, but only 73% have a broadband subscription. For Columbia County as a whole, the percentages are 93% and 81% respectively.

As this is sample data, these numbers could actually be lower or higher. DCA’s served data map also reveals that most census blocks within the city have access. However, there are still potentially locations within a “served” area that do not have access (up to 20%). Once the impairment of access is resolved, the further impairment of affordability must be tackled.

In the graph below, Grovetown is represented by the Grovetown zip code, not the city limits; speeds are shown for some of the most popular providers. Information is provided by BroadbandNow:

https://broadbandnow.com/. According to this data, the average download speed in the Grovetown zip code is over 100 Mbps. Due to cost, the fastest speeds may be out of reach for some residents.

Pursuing broadband as a utility and creating the necessary partnerships to ensure success is one avenue the city is considering. Another city initiative involves improving WiFi access throughout the municipality in popular locations as a supplement to at-home Internet. The Columbia County Community Broadband Utility (C3BU) is a great local example of broadband as utility. C3BU owns and operates over 320 route miles of underground fiber-optic, partners with providers to provide residential and commercial service, and supports a variety of facilities (e.g. government, education, non-profit).

The city should work with C3BU in its broadband expansion efforts.

Public Water/Sewer Fire Protection Law Enforcement

Educational Facilities Parks & Recreation

The community facilities and services in this section are functional sectors that provide both required and desired operations supporting community well-being and overall quality of life.

Generally, these include educational, administrative, cultural, recreational, institutional sectors and more. An assessment of the availability and adequacy of these facilities and services is important to understanding a community’s ability to retain its local population, attract future residents, and accommodate future demands.

The sectors included in this plan are not all inclusive of those offered in, and available to, the City of Grovetown. This section summarizes the following topics:

Community Facilities & Services

Water Supply

Municipal water provides a public service and city income. The City of Grovetown operates a municipally-owned water and wastewater system.

The city water department is responsible for the treatment and distribution of drinking water and handles the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater (sanitary sewage). Grovetown officials are unaware of any private wells. The city’s water supply comes from two areas. Two

(2) booster pump stations pump approximately 28 million gallons of water from Columbia County per month, with whom the city has an agreement to purchase water. The remaining water supply (1 million gallons per month) comes from the city’s one groundwater well currently on-line, fed by the Crystalline Rock Aquifer. Three (3) water tanks service the city, with a total capacity of 1.4 million gallons. The newest tank, located on Robinson Avenue, has a capacity of 750,000 gallons and was brought on-line in 2011. The city is exploring the idea of expanding the capacity of its tanks.

Since the last plan update, a new 8 inch line along Harlem/Grovetown Rd was constructed to tie into the Columbia County system, connecting to the above ground storage tank on Louisville Rd.

Wastewater And Sewerage

Another important asset to communities is an established sewer system with appropriate capacity and expansion opportunity. As with water, all city residents are connected to sewer. The city is unaware of any private septic tanks. The city owns and operates a new wastewater treatment facility along with several lift stations. Until recently, the city’s wastewater treatment involved a land application system. Additionally, Grovetown currently sends wastewater to Columbia County and Augusta-Richmond County through metering manholes with 28 million gallons (MG) and 4.5million gallons per month respectively).

As the Grovetown population grows, the demand for services and the need to acquire and provide adequate water and sewer service is imperative.

The new wastewater plant has a current daily load of .500MG and a permitted treatment capacity of 3MG per day. With some infrastructure pipe adjustments, the new facility can eliminate the city’s need to send its wastewater to either Richmond or Columbia County for treatment in the future. The capacity of the new plant will be able to handle the entire city if it were to double in size, and it has been designed so that it can be expanded if necessary. Expansion not anticipated for at least 20 years.

Although great strides have been made in improving the city’s infrastructure, areas remain in need of pipe upgrades.

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement/police and fire protection for the City of Grovetown are provided by the Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Division. The Department of Public Safety main office is located at 306 East Robinson Avenue, and the Department Annex is located at 113 East Robinson Avenue.

Through a contract with Columbia County, the city provides some services to the unincorporated areas south of the city, just outside of city limits. The Department also has a detention facility on site.

Additionally, it offers services to the community including: concentrated patrols and house watches when residents are away from home. Law Enforcement Division staff include: 1 Chief, 1 Assistant Chief, 4 investigators, and 20 road patrol officers, as well as administrative, records, and communications staff. According to data from the Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the FBI, the national rate of sworn officers was 2.4 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2017. The rate of civilian and sworn (full-time) was 3.4 per 1,000.

The division also has over two-dozen marked and unmarked vehicles. Although officers are not trained as EMTs, they are trained to the level of CPR/AED Certification. Future considerations for the division include:

• Increasing the number of officers on duty to handle the call volume while maintaining an active neighborhood presence for proactive policing procedures to prevent crime

• Increasing employee opportunities to receive advanced training

• Adding essential and beneficial equipment to assist employees in their duties

Fire Protection

Fire protection for the City of Grovetown is provided by the Department of Public Safety, Fire Rescue Division. The department maintains 2 fire stations. The department has 28 fire personnel, with a breakdown as follows: 1 Fire Captain, 3 Shift Lieutenants, 1 Training Lieutenant, 15 Full-time Firefighters, 3 Part-time Firefighters, and 5 Volunteer Firefighters. All full-time and part-time personnel must be certified EMTs. The city also has several fire engines and various trucks for rescue and support.

Like the Law Enforcement Division, Fire Rescue has community outreach programs. These include station tours and access for children’s groups to the Fire Safety House, a mobile classroom that teaches about fire safety in the home.

Grovetown’s current ISO rating is 2; this represents an improvement from 3 during the previous planning cycle. One (1) is the best rating. ISO ratings are an important measure of department readiness, and an ISO rating of 2 is good for homeowners.

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Do you use public facilities such as parks, trails, and ball fields?

Figure 2.21: Community Survey Question #20: Do you use public…