Council member urges deeper study of UDC and zoning enforcement ahead of comp‑plan changes

Council member Scott used the work session to raise a broad policy point: before the comp plan revisions move forward, elected officials should study the Unified Development Code (UDC) because the code drives how the comp plan will be implemented. He warned that some residents’ rights can be affected by zoning designations such as hamlets and noted that rising property values and county sewer and water expansion risk displacing lower‑income residents. "Preservation's the stated intention of the city," Scott said, and urged colleagues to read the UDC and understand enforcement duties in Chapter 1‑4 of the code.

Several council members and staff concurred that training would help. They discussed using Georgia Municipal Association courses or bringing in a local trainer (Carl Vinson) to run a tailored session; staff said they would share a syllabus and coordinate dates so council and planning commissioners can attend without creating an unadvertised policy meeting. The council agreed to schedule follow‑up sessions and to include more explanatory materials with future agenda items so members and the public can prepare.