 AARC
Planning
Planning is the reason most regional councils exist. In the
mid-60's, local governments were either:
Required to have community and "areawide plans"
to qualify for grants-in-aid; or
Were provided increased federal assistance if projects conformed
with existing plans.
This direct incentive for planning no longer exists but there
is a continued need to plan for the replacement of services
and facilities and to meet new demands brought on by growth.
Regional councils can provide five (5) types of planning
services. They are:
Local Planning
Many communities started local planning programs through the
use of Housing and Urban Development 701 Planning Assistance
Funds. This matching program enabled local communities to
use federal and local dollars to prepare comprehensive plans,
zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and certain types
of special studies. Regional councils in Alabama have traditionally
provided the professionally qualified staff to perform this
type of work. Although the "701 Program" has been
terminated a recent statewide survey of cities and counties
showed a continued demand for local comprehensive planning.
Planning Advisory Services
Continuing planning and advisory services for zoning cases,
site plan subdivision plat reviews, and plan updates are usually
available from your region. This service provides regular
staff assistance to your community board of zoning adjustment,
planning commission, and governing body on planning and development
issues.
Special Purpose Plans
Annexation studies, downtown revitalization projects, industrial
sites/parks, historic building inventories, and space utilization
of public facilities are only limited examples of the special
planning studies which have already been prepared. Depending
on the type of study required, limited financial assistance
may be available to aid in its preparation. Any government
needing a unique geographic, functional, or administrative
study should contact its regional councils.
Regional Planning
Regional councils are a storehouse of information and plans
on topics such as housing, water, sewer, transportation, and
economic development. Using this data, the regional council
can serve as an intergovernmental forum to develop comprehensive
responses to various types of needs. Such responses become
the revised blueprint for growth which guide the future development
of the region.
State Planning
Under state law, regional councils are mandated to "prepare
a regional plan consistent with state comprehensive planning."
The regional plans, for various facilities or services, although
prepared by different regions, can frequently be pieced together
to form state plans. This procedure is frequently followed
to coordinate input for waterways, highways, infrastructure
and major institutions which have significance for total state
development.
In some instances, the state needs to have a specific plan
or inventory of facilities conducted. The appropriate state
agency will simultaneously contract with the regional councils
to do the work. This approach is currently being used and
represents the potential for developing current statewide
plans to address issues and capitalize on opportunities. The
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the
Alabama Association of Regional Councils frequently act in
partnership when planning for both specific and general statewide
needs, to determine those needs and develop solutions.
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