Roswell names stakeholder committee for Comprehensive Growth Plan 2045; public questions raised about datasets and racial impact assessment

Mayor and council on July 28 appointed members to a stakeholder committee that will advise the Comprehensive Growth Plan 2045, a city-led update to Roswell's long-range development plan.

Michelle Alexander, director of community development, told mayor and council the stakeholder committee is required by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and will provide input as the city updates its comprehensive plan for a 2045 horizon. Alexander said the committee will meet an estimated four to five times during the plan process and will vet outreach materials prior to public events.

Council approved appointments unanimously, 6-0. The names presented for appointment were Council member Christine Hall and Council member Alan Sells as council representatives, and community members Deb Ewing, Ward Green, Denise Roche, Claire Snedeker, Jeff Jovaninski, George Cromley, Bill Wilkinson and Jay Corona.

During public comment, Courtney Rozier asked whether any planning commission members were included, whether the stakeholder meeting scheduled for July 31 would be public and streamed, whether consultant data and trend analyses would be posted before stakeholder meetings, and whether the racial impact assessment used in the 2040 plan would be incorporated in the 2045 update. Alexander said the posted dates were targets and that staff would update meeting times after consulting the committee; she said a report of accomplishments from the 2040 plan exists and that staff would follow up in writing on outstanding questions.

Council member David Johnson moved to approve the appointments; the motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lee Hills and passed 6-0.

Ending: Staff said it would coordinate scheduling with the committee, make materials available as practicable, and provide written follow-up to the public speaker on data availability and the status of prior assessments.