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Atlanta Regional Commission presents Pea Ridge small‑area plan; community priorities include preservation, housing and infrastructure
Summary
An Atlanta Regional Commission planner briefed the Cherokee County Board on the Pea Ridge Small Area Plan developed with the Charlie Ferguson Community Center and Canton partners; the plan emphasizes historic preservation (including Hickory Log Cemetery), preserving existing affordable homes, and targeted infrastructure and multilingual outreach.
An Atlanta Regional Commission planner presented the Pea Ridge Community Small Area Plan to the Cherokee County Board on June 16, summarizing a year of community engagement and a set of top recommendations focused on historic preservation and housing.
"The goal of this project was going to be to establish a community led small area plan that focuses on historic preservation and housing," the planner said, detailing a year‑long engagement that included two open houses, steering‑committee meetings and pop‑up events at community festivals.
Planner comments and public input highlighted four priority categories: housing, land use, community services, and transportation and infrastructure. Residents repeatedly urged protection for local historic assets — most notably the Hickory Log Cemetery located on the site of the new Cherokee High School — and recommended preserving naturally affordable, older homes through rehabilitation programs and down‑payment assistance.
On housing types, attendees showed a preference for single‑family homes and cottage‑style accessory dwelling units rather than large, modern ADUs or high‑density multifamily development; the planner noted that ADUs could be considered in a form that matches community character. Infrastructure priorities included sidewalks, streetlights, safer crossings, improved wayfinding for existing CAT micro‑transit service and a possible bus shelter or pick‑up point near the community center.
The planner urged coordinated action among the Charlie Ferguson Community Center, local churches, the school district and the City of Canton. She outlined next steps that include scheduling a public hearing (staff proposed July 21) and adopting the plan as an amendment to the county comprehensive plan, followed by detailed zoning or program work with partners.
Commissioners asked about implementation mechanisms, whether proposed future land uses reflected neighborhood character and how to avoid displacement and gentrification. The planner suggested community benefit agreements and charrettes that bring residents and developers together to negotiate outcomes that preserve culture while enabling investment.
