Cobb County kicks off 2050 Comprehensive Plan, staff stresses Oct. 31, 2027 adoption deadline

Cobb County staff convened the first community meeting for the county’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan to gather resident input and explain the update process. "For a comprehensive plan to be successful it needs to reflect the voices of the people who live, work, and visit the county," the presenter said.

The meeting, described by county staff as the needs-assessment phase, emphasized the plan’s long-range purpose: a roughly 20-year vision with goals, policies and a five-year community work program to guide implementation. Planners said the update is required by the Georgia Planning Act of 1989 and that Cobb’s qualified local government status — which allows access to some state funding — expires on Oct. 31, 2027, creating a firm adoption target.

Staff outlined engagement methods available now and through the summer: in-person community meetings (16 in the initial series), a public survey, a crowdsource mapping tool where residents can comment geographically, social media outreach and pop-up events at community gatherings. "We also have the crowdsource reporter. That's that mapping application where you can draw on a map and make your comments," a planner said.

Planners urged residents to use the project website for additional input and noted a virtual meeting slated for June 25. The presentation said adoption is aimed for summer 2027; planners reiterated that meeting series two (visioning) will begin in fall 2026 and that community review of draft goals and policies follows in subsequent engagement rounds.