Forsyth County Comprehensive Plan update meetings set for May
News April 28, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia requires communities to update their comprehensive plans every five years. To that end, Forsyth County will host three public meetings (two in-person, one virtual) in coordination with an online review period in May as part of Foster Forsyth 2022, a 12-month planning effort.
The first two meetings will be in an open house format for community members to review key elements of the draft plan update and provide feedback prior to its completion.
The meetings will be held as follows:
- May 16 (6-8 p.m.) – Central Park Recreation Center Banquet Room (2300 Keith Bridge Rd.)
- May 18 (6-8 p.m.) – Fowler Park Recreation Center Community Room (4110 Carolene Way)
- May 23 (6-7 p.m.) – Virtual Question & Answer Session hosted on Zoom Meeting ID: 851 5657 9893; Join via phone audio: 1-301-715-8592
The third meeting will offer an opportunity for those who review materials online to speak to the planning team as a flexible alternative to attending one of the in-person meetings.
Information Session Options:
Community members will also have an opportunity to review the same draft plan materials online on the project website from May 17 at 8 a.m. through May 30 at 8 a.m. Those attending the Virtual Q&A Session
should review summary plan materials on the website prior to the meeting.
“This third public meeting series, in conjunction with the online input period, will be the final opportunity to comment on the draft plan prior to public hearings to be scheduled in June and July,” said Planning & Community Development Deputy Director Vanessa Bernstein-Goldman.
“We strongly encourage participation and community feedback since the Comprehensive Plan is utilized to help guide futuregrowth in Forsyth County.”
The current Forsyth County Comprehensive Plan, adopted in July 2017, may be found by visiting forsythco.com.
Community encouraged to attend Comprehensive Plan meetings
Press Release February 9, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Forsyth County will host three interactive public input meetings (two in-person, one virtual) in late February and early March as part of Foster Forsyth 2022, a 12-month planning effort that will culminate in a partial update to the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
The meetings will be the second round of a series of meetings that include community feedback via in-person and online activities. The meetings will be on the following dates (the same material will be covered at all three meetings):
– Feb. 23 (6-8 p.m.) – Fowler Park Recreation Center Community Room (4110 Carolene Way)
– March 1 (6-8 p.m.) – Central Park Recreation Center Banquet Room (2300 Keith Bridge Rd.)
– March 2 (6-7:15 p.m.) – Virtual Meeting hosted on Zoom
Meeting ID: 886 9071 3350
Join via phone audio: 1-929-205-6099
The second meeting series will concentrate on community input collected to date with focus placed upon potential changes to the County’s future land use policy. There will also be opportunity to offer feedback on priority needs to facilitate well-managed growth over the next five years.
“Community input is a vital part of the process in order to reflect preferred approaches,” said Planning & Community Development Deputy Director Vanessa Bernstein-Goldman. “The County strongly encourages participation.”
The current Forsyth County Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in July 2017 may be found by visiting forsythco.com or by clicking here. Georgia requires communities to update their comprehensive plans every five years, including a reevaluation of needs and opportunities, preferred options for future land use as well as action steps to achieve community goals.
Hearthstone Lodge Senior Center closing
Featured Stories, News November 24, 2021
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved a recommendation to close Hearthstone Lodge Senior Center on Shady Grove during Tuesday’s meeting.
The county purchased the facility which houses a meeting room, pool and fitness center in 2008 for $540,000 (fees included) and has spent about $400,000 on renovations since. It is the oldest building within Senior Service.
There are about 308 active members. County officials believe the annual operating cost of about $370,000 and revenue of only about $40,000 plus major repairs that will be required in the next year make the lodge too expensive to continue in service.
The plan is to transition into more modern accommodations with more features to offer members. Staff has members move to the Cumming Aquatic Center for swimming in either the indoor or outdoor pool. The Center offers more than twice as many classes than Hearthstone.
To make the transition easier, the county will pay for a one year Fitrec membership for those who are center-only members at Hearthstone to be used as several of the county’s parks and a three month membership at the Aquatic Center for aquatic only members at Hearthstone.
Back the Blue tourney returns Sept. 18
Press Release September 6, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
CUMMING, Ga. — The 2nd Annual Back the Blue Softball Tournament returns to Central Park on Saturday, Sept. 18th. This is a free community event, but donations will be accepted for B.A.D.G.E. of Forsyth, a benevolence fund that supports Cumming and Forsyth County first responders during times of personal tragedy. Last year’s inaugural Back the Blue Softball Tournament raised $60,000 for B.A.D.G.E!
All of the teams that competed last year are back this time around – City of Cumming/Cumming Police Department, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Forsyth County Government, Forsyth County Fire Department, and Forsyth County Schools. New to this year’s lineup is the Forsyth County Magistrate Court. Teams will again battle it out for title of tournament champion (an honor which the City of Cumming took last year!) and the right to house the tournament’s traveling trophy for a year.
Opening ceremonies kick off at 9:30 a.m. with the ceremonial first pitch again thrown by Cumming’s “Honorary Mayor,” 12-year-old Charlie Westbrook. Tournament play begins at 10 a.m. and continues all day. Come by Central Park any time on Sept. 18th to enjoy the friendly competition! Any businesses or individuals who would like to donate in support of the tournament’s beneficiary, B.A.D.G.E. of Forsyth, should contact City Administrator Phil Higgins at 770-781-2010.
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation Summer Activity Guide is now available
Press Release March 24, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Forsyth County Parks & Recreation’s 2021 Summer Activity Guide is now available online.
The guide includes information on a wide variety of camps, activities and programs offered. Registration for listings in the summer activity guide will begin at 8:30 a.m. on April 1.
Register online at parks.forysthco.com or in person at any of the county’s three recreation centers, located at Central Park, Fowler Park and Old Atlanta Park, Monday through Friday, as well as the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center.
To view the 2021 Summer Activity Guide, visit parks.forsythco.com. Printed copies of the activity guide will also be available at recreation centers.