City of Lawrenceville Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee

Email flyer from the LawrencevilleTrade and Tourism Associationadvertising the May 13, 2008 PublicHearing.Citizens discuss their communities’future at May 13, 2008 hearing.• Conducted Public Hearing for the transmittal of thedraft Community Agenda to the Atlanta RegionalCommission and the Department of CommunityAffairs for review on May 13, 2008.Coordination and OversightCoordination and oversight for this outreach effort werevery important parts of the overall work effort supportingthe City’s Comprehensive Plan Update. The Mayor andCouncil proposed a City-appointed Steering Committee,assisted by the City’s Planning Director and the City’sconsultant, to push the Agenda document developmentalong as well as to be the conduit for public opinion fromthe citizens, business community and civic groups. TheCity-appointed Steering Committee was composed of:• Mike Crow – Lawrenceville City Council• Brad Leonard – Lawrenceville Planning Director• Marie Beiser – Lawrenceville DDA, DowntownArchitectural Review Board• Mary Thompson – Downtown Architectural ReviewBoard• Eron Moore – Lawrenceville Planning Commission• Craig Willis – Local Businessman/LawrencevilleTrade and Tourism Association• Gene McKay – Local resident• Joe Walter/Steve Sappington (Precision Planning,Inc.) – technical guidance and facilitationThe Steering Committee met roughly every two weeks tochew on the issues and opportunities affecting theircommunity. The Steering Committee also went back totheir boards and agencies, neighborhoods and civic groupsto “float” ideas and to bring back stakeholders input. Manyof these same persons were involved in the collaborativeeffort undertaken during the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)Downtown Master Planning experience, so they werealready familiar with the vision process and by virtue of theresidency and service to the community, had definiteopinions about the future of Lawrenceville.Capturing the Pulse of the CommunityOne of the more interesting exercises in capturing the pulseof the community was through the written and online surveyprocess conducted in February-April, 2008. Written surveysCity of Lawrenceville 1 - 4Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Access to healthcare• Knowing neighbors• Small parks near neighborhoodsRespondents found the following “quality of life” issuessomewhat important:• Walking trails• Organized recreational opportunitiesRespondents found the following “quality of life” issueimportant:• Cultural facilitiesRespondents found the following areas of town in mostneed of improvement:• 37% - Pike Street• 32% - Maltbie Street / Hurricane Shoals Road• 31% - New Hope RoadRespondents stated that these areas of town could use thefollowing improvements:• Pike Street – rehabilitation of buildings andlandscape• Courthouse Area – cosmetic only• Northdale / Collins Hill – new appearance standards• Maltbie / Hurricane Shoals – new appearancesstandards and rehabilitation of area• North Clayton / Buford Hwy. - new appearancesstandards• Perry / Grayson Hwy. – better code enforcement andrehabilitation of area• New Hope Road - better code enforcement• Five Forks / Stone Mtn. Street - better codeenforcement• US 29 - better code enforcement• Scenic Hwy. - new appearances standards• Downtown (excluding square) - new appearancesstandards• Other areas – 43% say knock it down and start overCity of Lawrenceville 1 - 6Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Percentage of respondents that believe the followingactivities are needed to improve and/or add to create abetter community:• 53% - greenways and walking trails• 44% - better police presence• 40% - more entertainment• 38% - reduce traffic congestion• 35% - more neighborhood parks58% of all respondents believe Lawrenceville has a smalltown feel.Growth and Economic DevelopmentRespondents found the following “growth and economicdevelopment” areas of town extremely important:• Downtown square• Georgia Gwinnett College• HospitalRespondents found the following “growth and economicdevelopment” areas of town somewhat important:• Pike Street Corridor• US 29 Corridor• Grayson Highway Corridor• Depot AreaRespondents found the following “growth and economicdevelopment” area of town important:• Airport CorridorLand Use IssuesRespondents find that it would be beneficial to includemore mixed use development in the following areas oftown:• Georgia Gwinnett College• Depot Area• Grayson Highway Corridor• Pike Street Corridor• Downtown SquareCity of Lawrenceville 1 - 7Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Respondents find that it would be beneficial to include thefollowing appearance improvements to areas of town:• Improve both interior and exterior of existingbuildings• Improve the landscape and site features of existingparcelsRespondents find that it would be beneficial to include thefollowing accessibility improvements to areas of town:• Better roadway access• Parking• Sidewalks• Transit access• Handicap accessRespondents find that it would be beneficial to include an“old downtown” architectural style the following areasof town:• Downtown Square• Depot Area• Georgia Gwinnett CollegeRespondents do not have a desire to increase the use ofmulti-lingual signage in the community.Community Facilities and Public ServiceRespondents find the following public services extremelyimportant (listed in order of importance):• Reliable water service• Graffiti removal• Garbage collection• Street maintenance• Availability of natural gas• Low cost water services• More street lights• More sidewalks56% of respondents say police presence in neighborhoodsis adequate.City of Lawrenceville 1 - 8Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

79% of respondents say police need to increase vehiclepatrolling.53% of respondents say they would like to see moreneighborhood policing.Transportation ImprovementsPercentage of respondents that would like to see thefollowing traffic improvements:• 40% - re-route through traffic from downtown• 30% - sidewalk connections between neighborhoods• 29% - improved access between downtown andGeorgia Gwinnett CollegeSubjective QuestionsThe following is a response to the question, “What is yourimpression of Lawrenceville?”• Great small town feel• Fantastic downtown• Too many used car lots and title pawns• Congestive traffic• “Nice historic town, some nice older neighborhoods,lots of used car lots, dirty old shopping centers, andokay schools that used to be good.”• “It has a little center area that is focused and thendegenerates from there.”• Historic• Lacking of characterThe following is a response to the question, “What is yourfavorite thing about the community?”• Downtown• Close community and neighborhoods• Feels like home• Friendly peopleThe following is a response to the question, “What is yourleast favorite thing about the community?”• Illegal immigrants• Congestive trafficCity of Lawrenceville 1 - 9Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Crime and growing violence• Bad reputation of schools• Empty buildings and lack of planning• Too many rental houses• Increased Hispanic populationThe following is a response to the question, “What onething about the community would you change?”• Reduce multi-family invasion of single-familydwellings• Add private schools• Reduce crime and remove illegal immigrants• Improve cultural offerings• Greater police presence• Improve traffic flow• Improve school reputation• Better land use planning• Enforce zoning ordinances• Remove used car lots• “Look at how cities like Suwanee and Johns Creekhave become destinations for affluent and modelLawrenceville after them.”The following is a response to the question, “What onething about the community would you keep thesame?”• Small town feel / old town charm• “I like the way the City celebrates the Christmasholidays and how this always brings the communitytogether.”• Neighborhood upkeep and pride• Preserving the face of heritageThe following is a response to the question, “What makesLawrenceville unique?”• Downtown• Aurora theatreCity of Lawrenceville 1 - 10Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• “Whatever your preference…small town, metro,country, suburban, it’s all available in Lawrenceville.”• Political center for a dynamic county• Georgia Gwinnett College, but Lawrenceville needsto improve for the school to reach its potentialThe following is a response to the question, “What placesin Lawrenceville need to be preserved at all costs?”• Courthouse / downtown / square• NeighborhoodsThe following is a response to the question, “What makesLawrenceville have a small town feeling?”• Small shops rather than a mall• Revitalized square• Community events and clustered activities• People tend to remember each otherThe following is a response to the question, “What keepsLawrenceville from having a small town feeling?”• Too much sprawl• “low end” businesses• Influx of illegal immigrants• Too many houses• Too much traffic• Places to ride bikes and walkThe following is a response to the question, “What typesof businesses would you not like to see inLawrenceville?”• Pawn shops• Adult shops• Package stores• Gun shops• Used car lots• Bail bondsmen• Check cashing shopsCity of Lawrenceville 1 - 11Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

The following is a response to the question, “How do weimprove police presence in Lawrenceville?”• have officers walking the streets rather than justtraffic police• more immediate response to complaints• more code enforcement and more officersSeveral respondents listed various streets that needimprovements, and the most popular improvedincludes widening, adding medians, and improvingtraffic signals.City of Lawrenceville 1 - 12Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

2: Community VisionA major part in planning for the future of a city requires avision, or an understanding of what the city will be orbecome. Identifying the commonly held vision for thefuture of a community requires a significant amount ofcitizen input and dedication to the planning process.Lawrenceville’s citizen steering committee, stakeholders,and citizen attendance at public hearings have gone througha visioning process to work towards an overall image, orvision, in both words and illustrations. This process revealswhat the community wants to become and how it wants tolook by 2030.Steering Committee in action.Citizens view maps at PublicHearing.Lawrenceville has created a vision statement that describesthe commonly held vision of its preferred future. This visionstatement is a broad view of the community as a whole.Lawrenceville has also created a Future Development Mapwhich more specifically illustrates and describes thiscommonly held vision throughout the differentneighborhoods, or character areas that make up thecommunity. This visioning process has not only provided achance for the community to dream and imagine the futurethrough a public forum, but it has also provided a greatstarting point for creating a comprehensive plan as well asproviding actions for implementing the plan.This Chapter reveals this vision statement, presents theFuture Development Map, and describes the character areasthat are illustrated on the Future Development Map. Thedescription of each character area shows the community’sdesired development patterns for enhancing the characterof each area and their recommended developmentstrategies that will direct the future development in eacharea. As a transition from typical land use planning tocharacter area planning, a summary table of permissibleland uses is provided in this Chapter, and a summary tableof quality community objectives for each character area aidsas an evaluation of uses in each area.2.1 General Vision StatementLawrenceville defines itself as the historic governmental,healthcare, educational and economic hub of GwinnettCounty, with a long tradition of close-knit neighborhoods,City of Lawrenceville 2 - 1Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

civic pride and a strong, vibrant central business district.With the explosive growth of Gwinnett County over the lastforty years, Lawrenceville has evolved from the local markettown for the neighboring countryside to a small urbancenter amidst the ever-spreading neighborhoods and stripcommercial centers. Lawrenceville desires to mature into anurban focal point within the County, with a number ofcultural, recreational, educational, lifestyle and employmentopportunities.Like the market town of the past, Lawrenceville wishes toreturn to a “full life-cycle community” - where children areraised, can go from day care through college, findemployment, raise their families and enjoy their goldenyears, without having to leave. In order to accomplish thisdesire, Lawrenceville needs to continue the soul-searchingthat was started during the Downtown Master Planningprocess and apply this throughout the community,determining the strengths and weaknesses of the City,identifying the vision for the future, formulating objectives inorder to achieve the vision, and prepare guidelines forimplementing the vision.Lawrenceville will be the center of the northeast region ofAtlanta, as it becomes home to leading education,healthcare, commerce, industry, and government, whileprotecting its history and neighborhoods. Lawrencevilleshall enact standards of high quality for planned growthand redevelopment, while protecting its natural resourcesand strengthening its neighborhoods. Lawrenceville shallcall upon its rich heritage to provide a community that is adestination for the rest of the region.2.2 Future Development MapAs a new tool in the comprehensive planning process, theGeorgia Department of Community Affairs introduced theFuture Development Map in the “Standards and Proceduresfor Local Government Comprehensive Planning” in the May1, 2005 update. Lawrenceville’s Future Development Map isa result of refining preliminarily identified character areasand incorporating citizen steering committee andstakeholder perspectives about future developmentpatterns, as well as incorporating existing master plans thathave been adopted by the City and the variousstakeholders.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 2Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

This Future Development Map will be used in conjunctionwith the City’s current Future Land Use Map and currentOfficial Zoning Map to assist the City with day-to-dayplanning decisions. The City expects that the FutureDevelopment Map will eventually replace the Future LandUse Map as it moves away from parcel specific planning toneighborhood or character area planning. The FutureDevelopment Map introduces a degree of flexibility toplanning that is expected to improve the City’s land usedecision making process. Since the Future DevelopmentMap is not parcel specific or land use driven by design, it willaid the City in determining whether a proposed developmentor redevelopment is appropriate in scale, size, function,form, intensity, and/or pattern with the surroundingneighborhood or character area.Please see the attached Future Development Map.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 3Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Introducing Character Areas in the Community VisionA key component to updating Lawrenceville’scomprehensive planning process is the creation of a FutureDevelopment Map. This map reflects the City’s vision forgrowth, development and redevelopment over the nexttwenty years. The City’s vision is graphically displayed onthe Future Development Map through the focus on several“character areas” that make up the City Limits. The City’svision has identified several existing areas with distinctivecharacter and has also identified areas where new charactercan be introduced. Existing “character areas” have commonidentifiers such as lot configuration; street design; buildinglocation, dimensions, and orientation; intensity ofdevelopment; and interactions among uses within the area.New “character areas” can be created by identifying theexisting patterns that are desirable and creating new criteriafor developing or redeveloping the area that establishes thedesired form and pattern of that area. This character areaplanning will allow Lawrenceville to tailor developmentstrategies for each “character area”, with the goal ofenhancing the function or promoting the desired characterfor the future.Character Area Descriptions with DesiredDevelopment Patterns and RecommendedDevelopment StrategiesLawrenceville’s Future Development Map identifies thefollowing “character areas” that make up the City Limits:• Downtown Master Plan Area• College Corridor• Medical Services• Airport• High Rise Corridor• Mixed Use Areas• Residential Area• Commercial (Regional)• Industrial Area• Parks and Greenspace• Gateway NodesThe following pages provide a description of these“character areas” along with desired development patternsand strategies for implementation. The desireddevelopment pattern describes the nature of preferreddevelopment in a “character area”, including appropriatedesign, infrastructure, and intensity. This is achievedCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 5Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

through formulating objectives for the area in order toachieve a future vision. The strategies for implementingthese objectives are by preparing and enforcing guidelinesand/or regulations in each area.Downtown Master Plan FutureLand Use.Proposed street extensions/newstreets in the Downtown MasterPlan area.2.3.1 Downtown Master Plan AreaGeneral Description and Boundary AreaThe Downtown Master Plan area was defined in a studyprepared by Tunnell-Spangler-Walsh and Associates for theCity of Lawrenceville in 2005. The area contained within thedowntown master plan district is shown on the attachedmap. The character area encompasses about 860 acres andwas studied extensively during the plan developmentprocess. After significant amounts of public input wereobtained, an implementation program was developed tofocus on a number of issues, including a new zoning overlaydistrict for the plan area and ten projects / project types forfuture development / construction:1. Return to two way streets2. Link Rhodes Jordan Park with GJAC3. Parks4. Community Facilities5. Scenic Parkway (Improvements)6. Transportation Study7. Local Streets (Improvements)8. Luckie Street9. Parking Projects10. Depot and Warehouse District RevitalizationDesired Development Patterns• The downtown Lawrenceville area should develop inaccordance with the future development map of thearea (i.e., “the Zoning Code District Map”), with acombination of greenspace, office, governmental,commercial, residential, residential-commercial uses.• The implementation of the projects in the area should beencouraged to promote the continued development ofthe area in accordance with the Downtown Master Plan.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 6Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Lawrenceville’s historic depotshould become the meeting pointbetween the Downtown MasterPlan area and the College Corridor.Recommended Development Strategies• Where possible, the extension of streets should bedesigned to promote more local traffic and re-routesome traffic off of the major roadways.• Local streets should be developed/redeveloped inaccordance with the downtown master plan guidelines.• The City should continue to require compliance with theZoning Ordinance with regard to the appearancestandards, development guidelines, etc.The City should continue to promote the revitalization of thedepot district as an entertainment destination.2.3.2 College CorridorGeneral Description and Boundary AreaIn 1994, Gwinnett County was recognized by the GeorgiaBoard of Regents as the largest county east of theMississippi River lacking a four-year college. In light of thisrevelation, the County purchased 160 acres of land locatedoff SR316 and Collins Hill Road specifically for thedevelopment of a college campus. This property is currentlywithin the City Limits of Lawrenceville.The following excerpts are taken from the college website:“Georgia Gwinnett College opened its doors on August 18,2006 as Governor Sonny Perdue, President Daniel Kaufman,Board of Regents Chairman Allan Vigil, U.S. RepresentativeJohn Linder and GGC Foundation Chairman Glenn White cutthe ceremonial ribbon for the nation’s first four-year publiccollege created in the 21st century, and the first four-yearpublic college created in Georgia in more than 100 years.”Georgia Gwinnett College’sAdministration Building.“For more than 15 years prior to the formation of GGC,community leaders pressed for a four-year college inGwinnett. As the county grew rapidly, it was evident thatthe expanding business community needed a source ofqualified candidates for its workforce and it desired to enjoythe benefits involved with a community-based institution ofhigher education. A resolution was passed by the Board ofRegents in October 2004, and the college was establishedby the Georgia General Assembly in March 2005. It willserve as the USG’s model campus for innovative approachesto highly-efficient student, facility, and administrativeservices.”City of Lawrenceville 2 - 7Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

“With no legacy systems present, retrofitting outdatedequipment to accommodate new technologies is not anissue. Without ties to any past practices, GGC is positionedto implement best practices and cutting-edge innovations.Until the fall of 2008, GGC will share the campus with fourother partner institutions of higher education. Collectively,there are more than 8,000 students on campus. The partnerinstitutions will be phased out as their students graduate ortransfer. GGC expects to enroll a freshman class of 3,000 infall 2008.”Examples of college campus andcampus housing.Examples of college –orientedcommercial development,anticipated in the corridor“Overlapping [GGC’s environmentally friendly designed] themaster plan is a five-year plan already set in motion. Itincludes Phase II construction of an existing classroombuilding which is currently underway, followed by a 1,500-space parking deck. A $28.3 million library was recentlyapproved by the Board of Regents, and a student housingproject is under consideration.Working in tandem with the college, the Georgia GwinnettCollege Foundation has been established to develop privatefunding for projects such as student centers, bookstores andathletic facilities. The Foundation plans to developpartnerships with area businesses and a collaborative centerwhere companies can share their projected workforce needsand see firsthand the advantages of the college’scommitment to technology.”Lawrenceville is proud and excited to be the home of “thecampus of tomorrow”, as Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC)likes to call itself. Lawrenceville is committed to extendtheir services to the campus and embrace the college intoassist in the promotion and success of the college, and seesa sustainable future in Lawrenceville for college life. Thebest way to express this embracement is by the creation ofa new character area that connects and blends the collegecampus with the downtown core and surrounding areas.The College Corridor starts at the Georgia Gwinnett Collegecampus located on Collins Hill Road along the north side ofSR316 and extends southward to include a number ofindustrial and commercial uses along the western side ofCollins Hill Road. At Hurricane Shoals Road, the corridorwidens to include multi-family residential developments,single-family dwellings along Curtis and Downing Streets aswell as commercial developments.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 8Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Conceptual view of GeorgiaGwinnett College at buildout.Historic Building in the Depot area.The corridor extends to the existing commercial area aroundthe Depot and terminates at Born Street. The college andthe Depot area are logical termini for the corridor. Thiscorridor will include some of the uses that Lawrencevillebelieves will be impacted by the future development alongthe corridor and will eventually transition from the existingland uses as the transportation systems are improved in thecorridors and as property values rise. The upper end of theDowntown Overlay District area just touches the Depotarea, so a linkage is formed that will allow both areas toimprove and help establish the Depot area as anentertainment district and destination.Desired Development Patterns• Development projects that compliment college life.• Create a strong physical connect between downtownand the college campus.• Redevelopment of existing single-family and multi-familyneighborhoods into high-quality off-campus housing forcollege students, faculty and staff.• Expansion of college campus on the south side of SR316for future athletic events.• Encourage a variety of transit and transportation modesfrom campus to downtown and surrounding commercialdistricts.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 9Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Provide entertainment areas along the Depot that willencourage interaction between the college anddowntown.Recommended Development Strategies• In 2008 Lawrenceville has initiated a study for road andland use improvement along the Collins Hill Road,Northdale Road, and North Clayton Street corridors.This study will seek Livable Communities Initiative (LCI)status, and will focus on widening and improving thetransportation corridor to create “College Avenue”.• Support current GDOT plans for creating a gradeseparation at Collins Hill Road and SR316.• Support the creation of a multi-purpose (bicycle andwalking) trail under the current SR316 bridge along thecollege campus road frontage.• Support and encourage continued efforts to establish a“brain train” multimodal station near the old depotlocation at North Clayton Street.• Support and interact with the College Master Plan.• Adopt policy that encourages the redevelopment of oldduplexes, condominiums and apartments complexesalong Hurricane Shoals Road and Northdale Road intomixed use high quality multi-family housing for collegestudents, faculty, and staff.• Encourage the promotion of an entertainment and artsdevelopment and eclectic redevelopment of old housesand warehouses between the old depot area and thedowntown square.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 10Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Consider acquisition of land along Northdale Road foradditional right-of-way and parkland area and acquire afunding source.GGCMasterPlanGwinnett Medical Center2.3.3 Medical ServicesGeneral Description and Boundary AreaThe Medical Services Cluster encompasses the GwinnettMedical Center complex and nearby and adjacent medicalprofessional buildings. The character area extends acrossPhillip Boulevard and Walther Boulevard, as well ascommercial properties along Duluth Hwy and industrial usesalong Old Norcross and Hurricane Shoals Road west ofDuluth Hwy.The Gwinnett Medical Center complex currentlyencompasses 120 acres in a campus-like environment. TheHospital currently has 224 beds (including beds at SummitRidge). The bed capacity will be increased by 129 beds,with the completion of the eight-story North Tower, to atotal of 353. The Medical Center is awaiting a Certificate ofNeed from the Georgia Department of Community Health fora cardiac care unit. When this certificate is granted, theCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 11Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Medical Center campusHospital will be able to offer complete cardiac services, andwill allow residents to receive skilled cardiac care inLawrenceville (while not having to travel into Atlanta, whichmakes many seniors anxious). It is anticipated that theaddition of the cardiac services center, together withexisting trauma services and stroke care capabilities, willbring approximately 400 new jobs to the medical servicescorridor. The promotion of the growth of the medicalservices profession in Gwinnett County is very importantbecause Gwinnett County has few medical facilities for acommunity of its size. The attached map indicates futurebuilding location within the hospital complex. It is alsoanticipated that additional physicians, medical imaging,outpatient care and other medical uses will locate within thecorridor over the next several years.Desired Development Patterns• Development as part of a planned medical complex andassociated structures having adequate water, sewer,stormwater, and transportation infrastructure for allcomponent uses at build-out.• Increased connectivity (i.e., interparcel vehicular andpedestrian access) between developments and services(hospitals, restaurants, etc.).• Increase accessibility for transit to the area foremployees, patients and visitors.• Encourage the construction of parking facilities adequatefor the future needs of the cluster.• Gwinnett Medical Center complex master plan designshould be very pedestrian-oriented, with strong,walkable connections between different uses within thedevelopment (see attached plan).• Provide various housing types such as senior-oriented,active adult, assisted living, elderly, and special needs.• Uses should be compatible with one another.• Provide convenience and walkable connections to a widearray of services (restaurants, lodging, medicalbuildings, etc.)Recommended Development Strategies• Compatible design standards should be enforced forbuildings and landscaping to protect the aesthetics ofthe area. These design standards should encourageCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 12Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

large open grass areas, wide sidewalks and showcasethe buildings.• Sidewalks and connecting walkways should be designedto be ADA-compliant to improve seniors and themobility-impaired to move around the area. Thesewalkways should also be wide enough to accommodatemultiple users (i.e., 8’-10’ wide multi –use paths).• Improve sidewalks along Duluth Hwy. and across DultuhHwy. to provide safer pedestrian crossings.• Encourage signage and lighting guidelines to enhancequality image of development.• Encourage mix of uses (such as retail and services toserve medical employees) to reduce reliance onautomobiles within the area.• Promote more food services (restaurants) for people inthe area and increase lodging opportunities for familiesand visitors.• Require interparcel access for commercial uses alongDuluth Hwy. to reduce traffic on Duluth Hwy.• Encourage growth of companies that specialize inmanufacturing medical products.• Encourage college and schools to promote and providemedical services, courses and programs.• Encourage shuttle services to and from the medicalservices cluster and other points of interest in the City.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 13Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

2.3.4 AirportGeneral Description and Boundary AreaThe Gwinnett County Airport at Briscoe Field currentlyoccupies approximately 500 acres and consists of a singlerunway that is 6,021 feet long by 100 feet wide. The airporthas two fixed base operators (Fob’s). Landmark Aviation ison the north apron of the runway and Aircraft Specialist ison the south apron of the runway. The airport currentlysupports light general aviation and most corporate jets, hasthree (3) flight schools, and is run by the Gwinnett CountyAirport Authority.Gwinnett County Airport at Briscoe Field (LZU) is the fourthbusiest airport in Georgia, and is located in one of the mosteconomically active corners of the metropolitan Atlantaarea. The airport is located just south of Highway 316, isbound to the northeast by Cedars Road, to the south byCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 14Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Briscoe Boulevard, and to the southwest near Hosea Road.The airport property is mostly located in unincorporatedGwinnett County, and a portion of the property, thesouthwest half of the runway, is located within theLawrenceville city limits.In October, 2006 Gwinnett County Airport Authority, thegoverning body of the airport, saw the completion of anAirport Master Plan by the Pegasus Associates International,Inc. project team. This master plan reviews storm waterconveyance throughout the property, environmentalregulations, and long-term options for development of theproperty. This master plan projects growth and operationsof the airport through 2025 and relies on a median forecastof growth that has Gwinnett County based modelsforecasting high-growth scenarios and FAA based modelsforecasting lower-growth scenarios. The median-growthforecast shows an increase in corporate jet operations(takeoffs and landings) from 21 percent of total operationsto 35 percent of operations by 2025. The largest singlecategory of operations will remain in the single engineaircraft well into the future. These forecasts are used as thebasis of a needs assessment for determining the need for afuture parallel runway.The master plan reveals that the demand for hangar spaceis rapidly approaching the current capacity on the airport’sproperty and the need for more basing area may berequired. The master plan recommendations are to add anadditional 5,000 foot parallel runway and supportingtaxiways, strengthening the bearing capacity of the existingrunway to support heavier aircraft, acquire more landbetween Highway 316 and Airport Road and betweenAirport Road and Hosea Road. The acquisition of adjacentland to the north and the west of the current airportproperty and the recommended configuration of theadditional runway, hangars, and base facilities will requirethe relocation of portions of Airport Road and HurricaneShoals Road. These relocations would bring both roadscloser to and more parallel to Highway 316 and more closelycoincide with Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)plans for the Highway 316 corridor.GDOT is in the planning stages of improvements alongHighway 316 to include the addition of High OccupancyVehicle (HOV) lanes and intersection improvements from I-City of Lawrenceville 2 - 15Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

85 to Progress Center Avenue. The proposed changes coulddrastically alter the ground access to the airport. GDOTdraft documents show the conversion of High Hope /Hurricane Shoals Road and Highway 316 intersection froman at-grade intersection with a traffic light to a gradeseparated (bridged) intersection with only HOV access toaccess to Highway 316 at Progress Center Avenue. Theseplans will affect the airport access by requiring Highway 316access to either come from Cedars Road or SR20.Aeronautical chart ofLawrencevilleDesired Development Patterns• Encourage continued growth and expansion ofGwinnett County Airport land use.• Limit residential development within the airport noisecontour area.• Promote transportation / communication / utilities aswell as industrial and commercial land use growththat supports and is supplemental to airport services.• Not only does the City support and agree with theAirport Master Plan, but also applauds the effortsetforth.• Increase communication between the City ofLawrenceville and the Airport Authority.Recommended Development Strategies• Annex into the City of Lawrenceville the entireairport property including potential airport expansionproperties.• Where possible, the airport and surroundingproperties should be developed as per the GwinnettCounty Airport Master Plan.• Where possible, encourage GDOT improvements ofthe SR316 corridor to coincide with the GwinnettCounty Airport Master Plan.• Incorporate landscaping and site design of theairport to allow for a more prominent exposure alongSR316.• Incorporate signage guidelines to enhance and assistthe public approach to the airport from groundaccess.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 16Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Explore guidelines to encourage transit (brain train)connection to airport (shuttle bus from proposedmulti-modal station to airport).• Discourage residential development in the corridor.• Encourage greater participation by the City in theAirport Authority through representation on theauthority board.2.3.5 High Rise CorridorGeneral Description and Boundary AreaIn 2008 Lawrenceville adopted a high rise ordinance thatallows for and encourages corporate growth along bothsides of the SR316 corridor. Height limitations allow for 35-story building complexes to line SR316 within the CityLimits; however, buildings of these heights are not allowedin the restricted airspace around the airport. Lawrencevillebelieves that the lack of such an ordinance has discouragedcorporate developers from seeking location in the CityLimits. The incorporation of this new character area wouldchange the landscape of Lawrenceville along SR316 from aCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 17Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

suburban commuter corridor to a statuesque destinationspot.The high rise corridor is to promote the development ofproperties in a manner that integrates commercial uses withoffice and residential uses and promote pedestrianaccessibility among these uses. High rise uses within thecorridor will be tied together with connective streetscapes topromote an environment conducive to human scale activity.This will be accomplished through the provision oflandscaping, street furniture, sidewalks, plazas, and multiusepaths to unify and interconnect varying uses throughoutthe corridor. The high rise corridor is found along SR 316along land adjacent to or having direct or immediate accessto the roadway.Examples of high rise residentialand multi­story office buildingswith integrated parking.Desired Development Patterns• Residential development and commercial / office usesshould be designed to complement each other andcreate a complementary live / work environment withineach master planned project.• Commercial uses should include a mix of retail, services,and offices to serve adjacent residents’ day-to-dayneeds, and should match the character of the high riseuse.• High rise project design should be very pedestrianoriented,with easy connections between different useswithin the project, as well as with adjacent uses.• Recreational, cultural, plazas, and greenspace usesshould be integrated into the project design.• Provide connectivity to neighboring communities andmajor destinations, such as libraries, neighborhoodcenters, health facilities, commercial clusters, parks,schools, etc.• Intensive commercial uses should be reserved for theCommercial (Regional) area.• Parking structures such as multi-level decks should beincluded in each high rise development.Recommended Development Strategies• Design and architectural standards should be developedfor multi-story commercial, office or residential buildings.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 18Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Adjoining parking or accessory structures should sharethe overall theme of the project.• Special attention should be paid to architecturaltreatments of street-level facades of multi-story projectsto promote the feeling of downtown commercial blocks(or similar styles).• All projects shall have extensive pedestrian and multiusepath connections with adjacent properties within thecorridor.• Landscaping and trees should be planted / preserved tocomplement the project, while maintaining compliancewith the City’s tree protection requirements.(Lawrenceville’s tree protection requirements andenforcement procedures may need to be updated tomaintain a desired canopy density.)• Encourage Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and theLawrenceville Development Authority to promote thishigh rise corridor to potential users.2.3.6 Mixed Use AreasGeneral Description and Boundary AreaMixed-Use Areas should provide a mix of appropriateresidential, office, industrial and commercial uses to providea live/work/shop environment on corridors that radiate fromthe downtown master plan area. Commercial uses shouldbe designed to meet local residents’ daily needs and matchthe character of the surrounding neighborhoods. Mixed useareas are located throughout Lawrenceville along majortransportation corridors and adjacent to the downtown area.The following describes each mixed use character sub-area:Examples of mixed useretail/residential­ Smyrna.Grayson Highway CorridorGeneral Description and Boundary AreaThe Grayson Highway Corridor extends along GraysonHighway (SR 20) from the edge of the Downtown MasterPlan area to the City Limits at SR 20’s intersection withSugarloaf Parkway. This area is currently characterized by amixture of retail commercial, office, institutional andresidential uses. Many of the commercial uses weredeveloped in the mid-eighties and are in their third of fourthcycle of tenancy, including two former Wal-Mart sites, andare showing significant signs of decline. With the growthand development of the Grayson area, including upperCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 19Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

income housing, the desire is to transform the corridor intoa more upscale mixture of uses and to improve theappearance of the corridor.Examples of high­end office/retail/residential­ Suwanee, GADesired Development Patterns• Professional offices• Upscale retail and restaurants• Mix of Residential/Office/Commercial uses includingstacked flats; live/work flex units and upper storyresidential with lower story commercial/office• Government, institutional, religious, and educationaluses• Desired mixture of uses: 40% office, 30% retail and30% residentialRecommended Development Strategies• Require interparcel connectivity and/or service drives toreduce trips onto Grayson Highway.• Design and architectural standards should be developedor revised to be compatible with the surrounding area.Overlay districts along SR 20 in Gwinnett County andGrayson should be reviewed for compatibility.• All new development and redevelopment, whether partof a common master planned development or located ona single parcel, should be required to connect to existingor proposed sidewalks along SR 20 and/or adjacentroads.• Adaptive reuse of existing commercial structures shouldbe allowed and encouraged under the adherence ofarchitectural review board standards that promote Cityappeal. This adaptive reuse also needs to be compatiblewith the surrounding residential character.• Mixed-use developments should address connectivitywithin the development and between the developmentand other areas.• Signage, lighting and operating business hours shouldbe compatible with adjacent residential uses.• Landscape and buffer screenings abuttingneighborhoods and along adjacent roadways are to bemaintained to protect and promote quality of life issuesand City appeal.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 20Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

View of existing mixed usedevelopment on Scenic Highway.Scenic Highway CorridorGeneral Description and Boundary AreaThe Scenic Highway Corridor extends along Scenic Highway(SR 124) from the edge of the Downtown Master Plan area(i.e., Gwinnett Drive) to the Moon Road. The corridor isvery shallow, extending only generally one parcel out fromthe highway. This area is currently characterized by amixture of retail commercial, office, institutional andresidential uses. Residential uses that front Scenic Highwayhave undergone a slow conversion to office and professionaluses over the last twenty years. The professional uses havegenerally maintained a residential character.Desired Development Patterns• Office professional uses• No retail uses in corridor• New conversions or new development to havearchitectural style consistent with adjacentresidential uses and maintain residential character.Recommended Development Strategies• Maintain exterior residential character of uses incorridor through zoning ordinance and developmentregulations• Signage, lighting and operating business hoursshould be compatible with adjacent residential uses.• New structures in corridor should be of similar scaleand size as existing office buildings and should havelandscaping and exterior treatments compatible withadjacent residential uses.Langley Drive/Gwinnett DriveGeneral Description and Boundary AreaThe Langley Drive/Gwinnett Drive/US 29 mixed use areasencompass the west side of Langley Drive from SR 120 toWest Crogan Street (US 29).; the west side of GwinnettDrive from West Crogan Street (US 29) to Scenic Highway(SR 124) and along US 29 from Gwinnett Drive to BartowJenkins Park. The areas are characterized predominantly bya mixture of older commercial, institutional and officestructures, built after WWII as the City grew out from itshistoric core. Many of these structures are now sufferingfrom disuse and under-utilization and are in need ofCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 21Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

evitalization. Some multi-family residential is present onLangley Drive.Mixed office and residentialdevelopment – Athens, GA.Desired Development Patterns• New office and/or residential development should beoffice/residential in character• Small office and residential uses are permitted inlive/work flex units; stacked flats or similararrangements• New commercial uses should be designed to fit inwith the historical character of the area and shouldbe in appropriate scale with the surrounding uses.• Support services for Central Gwinnett High Schoolarea should be encouraged• Older commercial and office structures, ifredeveloped, should have architectural treatment inkeeping with their historical period.Recommended Development Strategies• Maintain exterior residential character of office andprofessional uses in corridor through zoningordinance and development regulations• Signage and lighting should be compatible withadjacent residential uses.• New structures in areas should be of similar scaleand size as existing buildings and should havelandscaping and exterior treatments compatible withadjacent residential uses or with the historical periodassociated with the building styleHood Street/ Buford HighwayGeneral Description and Boundary AreaThe Hood Street / Buford Highway mixed use areasencompass: (1) Buford Highway (SR 20) from the CSXtracks north to Hurricane Shoals Road along both sides ofthe road, extending eastward for several parcels in depth;and (2) an area off of SR 20 north of SR 316 near SwansonDrive. The areas are characterized predominantly by amixture of older commercial, industrial and office structures,with limited residential uses, built after WWII as the Citygrew out from its historic core (closer to the railroad tracks)and newer industrial buildings north of SR 316. Many ofthese structures are now suffering from disuse and under-City of Lawrenceville 2 - 22Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

utilization and are in need of revitalization. Someconversion and redevelopments have taken place in the lastseveral years, resulting in the loss of residential units nearHood Street.Mixed office and retail development.Desired Development Patterns• Professional offices• Retail in support of adjacent neighborhoods andindustrial uses.• Mix of Residential/Office/Commercial uses includingstacked flats; live/work flex units and upper storyresidential with lower story commercial/office nearRhodes Jordan Park• Government and institutional uses• Desired mixture of uses: 40% industrial (oroffice/distribution/institutional), 40% office, 10%retail and 10% residential• Older commercial and office structures, ifredeveloped, should have architectural treatment inkeeping with their historical period.Recommended Development Strategies• An overlay district with lighting, signage, landscapingand other guidelines should be adopted to governthe uses in this area, developed in keeping with thevaried exterior types within the area.• Redevelopment proposals should be reviewed in lightof the adjacent College Corridor proposed overlaydistrict.• New office or residential structures in areas shouldbe of similar scale and size as existing buildings andshould have landscaping and exterior treatmentscompatible with the historical period associated withthe original building style. The establishment ofdesign guidelines can help preserve the ambience ofthis older neighborhood.Paper Mill/New Hope RoadGeneral Description and Boundary AreaThe Paper Mill Road/New Hope Road mixed use sub-areasencompass the area east and southeast of the DowntownMaster Plan area along Paper Mill, New Hope and SpringlakeCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 23Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Roads. The areas are characterized predominantly by amixture of single and multi-family residential uses, builtmostly in the 1980’s and 1990’s, with some scattered officeand commercial uses. New residential townhome uses existalong Springlake Roads and one small neighborhood of1940-50’s era houses are located off of Carver Circle.Desired Development Patterns• Office/professional uses with the outwardappearance of residential dwellings• Residential and office uses may be combined inlive/work flex units or multi story buildings withupper story residential and lower story office uses.• Limited retail uses in corridor that support adjacentresidential neighborhoods• New conversions or new development to havearchitectural style to be consistent with adjacentresidential uses (maintain residential character).Recommended Development Strategies• Maintain exterior residential character of uses in areathrough zoning ordinance and developmentregulations• Signage and lighting should be compatible withadjacent residential uses.• New structures in corridor should be of similar scaleand size as existing residential dwellings and shouldhave landscaping and exterior treatments compatiblewith adjacent residential uses.• Multi-story office/residential uses are morecompatible with development adjacent to ScenicHighway, but are not compatible with the residentialneighborhoods further along New Hope Road andPaper Mill Road.West LawrencevilleGeneral Description and Boundary AreaThe West Lawrenceville mixed use sub-area encompasses amixture of more recent institutional and industrial usesalong Old Norcross, Riverside Drive and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Roads. Recently, the Gwinnett County Board ofEducation acquired property in the area and is building twonew schools.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 24Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Desired Development Patterns• Encourage master planned development whenpossible, as opposed to single parcel developmentfor new businesses.• Industrial, office and institutional uses contained inmaster-planned development where possible.• Limited retail is encouraged to support adjacentindustrial and institutional offices• New developments to have increased connectivity tomajor transportation corridors.• Increase accessibility of transit to the area foremployees.• Sidewalks and multi-use paths are encourage to bedeveloped to connect the sub-area to thecommercial areas along Pike Street to the east.Recommended Development Strategies• Encourage future development / redevelopmentopportunities to be master planned to ensureadequate water, sewer, stormwater andtransportation infrastructure.• Incorporate landscaping and site design to blockviews of buildings and parking lots, loading docks,etc.• Identify potential redevelopment opportunities/sitesfor underutilized industrial sites. Redevelopment foroffice or institutional uses should be in keeping withthe surrounding properties• Incorporate measures to mitigate impacts on theadjacent built or undeveloped environments.• Encourage the development of a pocket park orother greenspace for the enjoyment of theemployees of the businesses in the area.2.3.7 Residential AreasGeneral Description and Boundary AreaThe residential areas of Lawrenceville should be safe,attractive, stable, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods thatprovide a mix of housing styles and characteristics, have aunique and defining neighborhood focal point, and areCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 25Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

interconnected through a system of greenspace and multiusetrails. Existing neighborhoods should be preserved andmaintained as safe stable places for the residents and newerdevelopments should be encouraged to use traditionalneighborhood design principles. Residential areas arelocated throughout Lawrenceville and developed as the Citydeveloped, from the historical core to the most recentsubdivisions. These residential areas may be furtherdefined into the following sub-areas:Example of post war­eraresidence.Post War Neighborhoods (circa 1946 to 1960)General Description and Boundary AreaPost war neighborhoods are found throughout Lawrencevillein a ring roughly outside of the downtown area, where landwas converted after the servicemen returned from the warand affordable housing was at a premium. Thesesubdivisions may be found off of US 29, Scenic Highway,Five Forks Trickum Roads. The neighborhoods developedover a short span in some cases, and in others, havedeveloped by phases over the last fifty years. Theseneighborhoods have been relatively stable. There areconcerns that the ratio of owner and renter occupancy hasshifted towards the renter, especially in the smaller homes(i.e., approx. 1,000 square feet) in this sub-area which tendto be more conducive to rentals. With the changingdemographics of the community, there are concerns aboutcontinued neighborhood stability.Desired Development Patterns• Existing neighborhoods should foster a pedestrianfriendly environment.• Where possible, greenspace and pocket parks should belocated in or adjacent to these neighborhoods toincrease connectivity with other areas of Lawrenceville.• Redevelopment of older homes with compatiblearchitectural styles that maintain the local character.• Foster well landscaped neighborhood entrances andcommon areas.Recommended Development StrategiesExisting Development• New housing units in the sub-area should be designed toreflect the architectural characteristics of the adjacenthomes.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 26Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Adjacent non-residential development should bedesigned to be compatible with these neighborhoods.• These older neighborhoods should be preserved andstabilized through careful monitoring of special userequests and quality of life issues (i.e., codeenforcement).• Investigate a method to balance owner occupiedhousing with rental properties that are more in line withother respective community-friendly cities. This shouldbe done through a City selected taskforce.Infill Development• Encourage traditional neighborhood and conservationsubdivision developments that by their nature provide avariety of housing options. The variety of housingoptions should be complimentary of the surroundinghousings so as not to devalue existing establishedproperties.• Develop design and higher architectural standards forresidential areas that are coordinated with traditionalmasonry design.• Provide good vehicular and pedestrian/bike connectionsto: adjacent retail / commercial services; adjacentproperties / subdivisions, and regional network ofgreenspace and trails.• Street design should include traffic-calming measuresand should allow for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.Examples of first boomneighborhood houses.First Boom Neighborhoods (circa 1961­1979)General Description and Boundary AreaFirst Boom neighborhoods are found throughoutLawrenceville adjacent to the post war neighborhoods andare characterized by slightly larger houses and larger lots,such as Regal Drive. Housing styles are a mixture of wood,stone and brick siding, many with carports. Theseneighborhoods are facing many of the same challenges thatthe Post war neighborhoods face, with concerns ofneighborhood turnover, quality of life issues and continuedneighborhood stability.Desired Development Patterns• Existing neighborhoods should foster a pedestrianfriendly environment.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 27Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Where possible, greenspace and pocket parks should belocated in or adjacent to these neighborhoods toincrease connectivity with other areas of Lawrenceville.Recommended Development StrategiesExisting Development• New housing units in the sub-area should be designed toreflect the architectural characteristics of the adjacenthomes.• Adjacent non-residential development should bedesigned to be compatible with these neighborhoods.• These neighborhoods should be preserved and stabilizedthrough careful monitoring of special use requests andquality of life issues (i.e., code enforcement).Infill Development• Encourage traditional neighborhood and conservationsubdivision developments that by their nature provide avariety of housing options. The variety of housingoptions should be complimentary of the surroundinghousings so as not to devalue existing establishedproperties.• Develop design and higher architectural standards forresidential areas that are coordinated with traditionalmasonry design.• Provide good vehicular and pedestrian/bike connectionsto: adjacent retail / commercial services; adjacentproperties / subdivisions, and regional network ofgreenspace and trails.• Street design should include traffic-calming measuresand should allow for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.Example of second boomneighborhood.Second Boom Neighborhoods (circa 1980­1991)General Description and Boundary AreaSecond Boom neighborhoods are found throughoutLawrenceville adjacent to the Post War and First Boomneighborhoods and are characterized by slightly largerhouses and larger lots, such as Leigh Kay Drive. Housingstyles are a mixture of wood, brick and vinyl siding, manywith attached garages. These neighborhoods are facingmany of the same challenges that the older neighborhoodsface, with concerns of neighborhood turnover, quality of lifeissues and continued neighborhood stability.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 28Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Desired Development Patterns• Existing neighborhoods should foster a pedestrianfriendly environment.• Where possible, greenspace and pocket parks should belocated in or adjacent to these neighborhoods toincrease connectivity with other areas of Lawrenceville.Recommended Development StrategiesExisting Development• New housing units in the sub-area should be designed toreflect the architectural characteristics of the adjacenthomes.• Adjacent non-residential development should bedesigned to be compatible with these neighborhoods.• These older neighborhoods should be preserved andstabilized through careful monitoring of special userequests and quality of life issues (i.e., codeenforcement).Infill Development• Encourage traditional neighborhood and conservationsubdivision developments that by their nature provide avariety of housing options. The variety of housingoptions should be complimentary of the surroundinghousings so as not to devalue existing establishedproperties.• Develop design and higher architectural standards forresidential areas that are coordinated with traditionalmasonry design.• Provide good vehicular and pedestrian/bike connectionsto: adjacent retail / commercial services; adjacentproperties / subdivisions, and regional network ofgreenspace and trails.• Street design should include traffic-calming measuresand should allow for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.Example of third boomneighborhood.Third Boom Neighborhoods (circa 1992 ­present)General Description and Boundary AreaThird boom neighborhoods are found in a mixture of infilldevelopment adjacent to older neighborhoods and on theouter edges of Lawrenceville. These neighborhoods are amixture of vinyl, brick and stucco houses with a largerfootprint, usually on a smaller lot due to the presence ofCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 29Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

sewer. These subdivision neighborhoods often contain aprivate recreational amenity feature and are characterizedby extensive cul-de-sac streets with little connectivity toadjacent, older neighborhoods. Many of these subdivisionswere developed under the City’s RS-60 Zoning ordinance,which provides for smaller lots, narrower streets, mandatorygreenspace and exclusive use of brick siding.Desired Development Patterns• Neighborhoods should foster a pedestrian friendlyenvironment.• Where possible, greenspace and pocket parks should belocated in or adjacent to these neighborhoods toincrease connectivity with other areas of Lawrenceville.• Where possible, foster increased interconnectivity withadjacent neighborhoods through street connections orthrough sidewalks and/or multi-use trails.Recommended Development StrategiesExisting Development• New housing units in the sub-area should be designed toreflect the architectural characteristics of the adjacenthomes.• The stability of these neighborhoods should bemaintained through careful monitoring of special userequests and quality of life issues (i.e., codeenforcement).Infill Development• Encourage traditional neighborhood and conservationsubdivision developments that by their nature provide avariety of housing options.• Develop design and higher architectural standards forresidential areas that are coordinated with traditionalmasonry design.• Provide good vehicular and pedestrian/bike connectionsto: adjacent retail / commercial services; adjacentproperties / subdivisions, and regional network ofgreenspace and trails.• Street design should include traffic-calming measuresand should allow for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 30Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Where possible, foster increased interconnectivity withadjacent neighborhoods through street connections orthrough sidewalks and/or multi-use trails.Existing commercial development –Pike Street.Examples of preferred developmentpattern for commercial areas..2.3.8 Commercial (Regional)General Description and Boundary AreaThe Commercial (Regional) Character Area is reserved forattractive, well planned shopping centers designed toprovide ample shopping and employment opportunities forresidents of Lawrenceville and surrounding areas and toprovide a decent tax base and revenue source for the City.Regional commercial uses are currently found on majorthoroughfares in the City, outside of the Downtown MasterPlan area and extend towards the City limits. Many ofthese commercial areas have seen several cycles ofdevelopment and need to be revitalized.Desired Development Patterns• Regional Commercial areas should include mix of retail,office, services, and employment to serve a regionalmarket area.• “Big box” retail should be limited to these areas.• Infill development/redevelopment of vacant commercialstructures is desirable.• Commercial developments should be master planned toensure that infrastructure will meet the needs of allcommercial businesses at build-out.• New developments should incorporate architecturalguidelines compatible with regional commercial styles orcommon themes that reflect adjacent developments.• Landscaping and buffer/screenings should beencouraged against non-commercial uses and alongadjacent roadways.• Adjacent commercial uses should be compatible withone another.Recommended Development Strategies• Encourage redevelopment of older shopping centers.• Promote designs that encourage walkable connectionsbetween different uses.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 31Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Promote inter-parcel access, shared driveways andconnectivity between commercial developments.• Promote multiuse paths in the design of new commercialdevelopments and to connect adjacent commercialdevelopments.• Encourage compatible architecture styles that maintainthe local character.• Encourage the establishment of major employers tosupport the regional commercial area.• Encourage well landscaped regional developments.2.3.9 Industrial AreaGeneral Description and Boundary AreaLawrenceville has a strong industrial base due to its closeproximity to SR316, Briscoe field, and the railroad.Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County has been a hotbedfor development activity that relies on this industry base.Industrial areas along Maltbie Street and Hosea Road willcontinue to develop and redevelop while industry along OldNorcross Road will likely redevelop into medical industryuses.Examples of preferred developmentpattern for industrial areas.Atlanta Attachment Company ­Lawrenceville.The Industrial character area identifies areas to remainindustrial or to be master planned for future industrial orregional activities, including manufacturing, wholesale andoffice / warehouse / distribution activities. These areas areintended to provide jobs and increase the tax base for theCity.• Increase connectivity of industrial / manufacturing sitesto major transportation corridors.• Encourage master planned development when possible,as opposed to single parcel development for newbusinesses.• Increase accessibility of transit to the area foremployees.• Encourage separation, where possible, of industrialbasedtraffic, such as dump trucks, tractor trailers, andconcrete trucks from daily commuter and localpassenger traffic.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 32Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Recommended Development Strategies• Encourage future development / redevelopmentopportunities to be master planned to ensure adequatewater, sewer, stormwater and transportationinfrastructure.• Investigate areas where streets may be relocated/improved to promote safer truck traffic from localindustries (i.e., study relocation/realignment of thewestern end of Maltbie Street to decrease congestion atthe current intersection and to provide a saferintersection for truck movement onto Hurricane ShoalsRoad). Proposed improvements to be coordinated withGwinnett County DOT and Georgia DOT.• Incorporate landscaping and site design to block viewsof buildings and parking lots, loading docks, etc.• Identify potential redevelopment opportunities/sites.• Incorporate measures to mitigate impacts on theadjacent built or undeveloped environments.• Increase separation between recycling and transferstations and residential structures to reduce noise, odor,smoke and vibrations onto neighboring residential areas.• Restrict heavy industrial uses to those areas indicatedfor industrial use on the Future Development Map.• Seek funding for clean-up of known waste burial sites,and encourage redevelopment of these areas to matchthe characteristic of the neighborhood that they are in.• Enforce monitoring programs and code enforcementprograms to ensure that existing and future industrialsites are not harming the environment.• Assist owners of car salvage yards in finding an area torelocate outside of potentially new character areas.2.3.10 Parks and GreenspaceGeneral Description and Boundary AreaParks and greenspace are areas of protected open spaceestablished for recreation, alternative transportation,environmental education, or conservation purposes. Theseareas include ecological, cultural and recreational amenities.The City of Lawrenceville has a number of parks andgreenspace areas within its borders, the largest of which isRhodes Jordan Park on Crogan Street (US 29), which isCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 33Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Examples of multi­use path – PATHDeKalb County.Gwinnett County. This facility is 162 acres in size, with a22-acre lake, surrounded by open space, five picnicpavilions, a 0.8-mile paved multipurpose trail, twoplaygrounds as well as seven baseball/softball fields, and afootball field overlay. The park also features a communitycenter with two classrooms, a dance/aerobics room, a largecommunity room and a double gymnasium. The tenniscenter has eight lighted courts. An outdoor leisure poolfeatures three lap lanes, a large slide and other water playfeatures. The City also has Park West on Five Forks-TrickumRoads, which is operated by the Boys and Girls Club ofGwinnett County; Bartow Jenkins Park, a passive parklocated on Lawrenceville Highway (US 29); and BaggettPark, an undeveloped +/-18-acre park located at theintersection of US 29 and Sugarloaf Parkway.The City is crisscrossed with easements, streams and othergreen spaces that could be preserved as passive spaces ordeveloped into multi-use trails or “pocket parks” to bringrecreational opportunities closer to the neighborhoods andto reduce the number of vehicle trips, which should aid inreducing congestion.Desired Development Patterns• Preservation of parks and greenspace for alternativetransportation, environmental education, andconservation is a priority for the City of Lawrenceville.• The creation of new parks and greenspaces toaccommodate the growing population of Lawrenceville,with an emphasis on pocket parks and passiverecreational opportunities.• To encourage the development of a series of pocketparks adjacent to, or nearby existing residentialdevelopment, especially the “Post War”, “First Boom”and “Second Boom” neighborhoods, where recreationalamenities were not installed when the subdivision wasdeveloped.• To encourage private investment and further publicinvestment to develop a series of multi-use trails to tieinto existing streetscapes to connect neighborhoods withdowntown.Recommended Development Strategies• Perform a study to identify potential sites for pocketparks and connecting multi-use trails and to determineCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 34Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Promote a variety of recreation opportunities forLawrenceville residents, while working with GwinnettCounty to offer compatible activities.• Work with Gwinnett County to link greenspaces into anetwork of greenways, set aside for pedestrian andbicycle connections between schools, churches,recreation areas, residential neighborhoods andcommercial areas.2.3.11 Gateway NodesGeneral Description and Boundary AreaGateway Nodes should include attractively landscaped areaswith signage, streetlights, monuments, site furnishings, andother features at appropriate City access points thatcommunicate a message of welcome and conveyinformation about the City’s resources to residents andvisitors alike.As indicated on the Future Development Map, there are nine(9) identifiable gateway nodes around Lawrenceville. Thesegateway nodes are mostly located at crossroad intersectionsalong the City Limits. These gateway nodes are identifiedas follows:• Old Norcross Road at Riverside Parkway• Collins Hill Road at the GGC entrance• SR20 at Swanson Drive• Winder Hwy. (US29) at Hosea Road• New Hope Road at Simonton road• Grayson Hwy. (SR20) at Sugarloaf Parkway• Scenic Hwy. (SR124) at Sugarloaf Parkway• Five Forks Trickum Road at Sugarloaf Parkway• Lawrenceville Hwy. (SR29) at Lawrenceville-SuwaneeRoadDesired Development Patterns• Community access points should be utilized to introduceLawrenceville and communicate a message to residentsand visitors to Lawrenceville.• Gateway Nodes should include appropriate signage,landscaping and other beautification measures.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 35Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Gateway Nodes should help create a sense of place (i.e.,that “you are home” to Lawrenceville residents and“Welcome to our Town” to workers and visitors) andseparate Lawrenceville for unincorporated GwinnettCounty.Recommended Development Strategies• Install and/or maintain appropriate directory signage tocommunity amenities and developments.• Establish design standards for access point signage,landscaping and lighting to standardize and protect theappearance of community access points.• Use access points to promote historic and culturalresources of Lawrenceville.• Contact civic groups that might share an interest inimplementing and maintaining these individual nodes.• Research programs such as “Adopt a Road” that mightprovide guidance for gaining support and installation ofa “Gateway Node” program.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 36Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

2.4 Table of Permissible Land Uses inCharacter AreasCharacterAreaResidentialCommercialLight IndustrialHeavyIndustrialPublic /InstitutionalTCUAgriculture /ForestryUndeveloped /VacantMixed UseAirport Medical ServicesCollegeCorridorMixed UseAreasIndustrialAreasDowntownMaster PlanArea Residential AreaHigh Rise CorridorCommercial(Regional)Parks & GreenspaceGatewayNodesResidential – Single Family, Multi-familyCommercial – Retail sales, office, service, and/or entertainment facilities.Light Industrial – (As determined by intensity of land use) – Manufacturing facilities, warehousing and distribution, wholesaletrade.Heavy Industrial – (As determined by intensity of land use) – Manufacturing facilities, processing plants, factories, warehousingand distribution, wholesale trade.Public / Institutional – Federal, State, or Local government uses such as City halls, government building complexes, police andfire stations, libraries, prisons, post offices, military installations, colleges, schools, churches, hospitals, cemeteries.Transportation / Communication / Utilities – Major transportation routes, public transit stations, power generation ortransmission plants, railroad facilities, radio / cell towers, telephone switching stations, airports, port facilities.Park / Recreation / Conservation – Active or Passive recreational land uses, publicly or privately owned. Examples includeplaygrounds, public parks, nature preserves, wildlife management areas, national forests, golf courses, recreation centers or similaruses.Agriculture / Forestry – Farming, agriculture, commercial timber or pulpwood harvesting.Undeveloped / Vacant – Tracts of land served by typical urban public services such as water, sewer, oil or gas lines but have notbeen developed for a specific use that has such been abandoned.Mixed Use – Mixed Land Use categories may be created and applied at the discretion of the community. If applied, mixed LandUse categories must be clearly defined to include types of land uses allowed, percentage distribution of the mix, and allowabledensity of each use.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 37Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

2.5 Table of Quality CommunityObjectives in Character AreasQualityCommunityObjectivesAirportMedicalServicesCollegeCorridorMixed UseAreasIndustrialAreaDowntownMaster PlanAreaResidentialAreaHigh RiseCorridorCommercial(Regional)Parks andGreenspaceGatewayNodesTraditionalNeighborhoodInfillDevelopment Sense of Place TransportationAlternativesRegionalIdentityHeritagePreservationOpen SpacePreservationEnvironmentalProtectionGrowthPreparednessAppropriateBusinessEmploymentOptionsHousingChoicesEducationalOpportunitiesRegionalSolutionsRegionalCooperation Traditional Neighborhood – Traditional neighborhood development patterns should be encouraged, including use of morehuman scale development, compact development, mixing of uses within easy walking distance to one another, and facilitatingpedestrian activity.Infill Development – Communities should maximize the use of existing infrastructure and minimize the conversion ofundeveloped land at the urban periphery by encouraging development or redevelopment of sites closer to the downtown ortraditional urban core of the community.Sense of Place – Traditional downtown areas should be maintained as the focal point of the community or, for newer areas wherethis is not possible, the development of activity centers that serve as community focal points should be encouraged. TheseCity of Lawrenceville 2 - 38Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

community focal points should be attractive, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly places where people choose to gather for shopping,dining, socializing, and entertainment.Transportation Alternatives – Alternatives to transportation by automobile, including mass transit, bicycle routes, and pedestrianfacilities, should be made available in each community. Greater use of alternative transportation should be encouraged.Regional Identity – Each region should promote and preserve a regional “identity,” or regional sense of place, defined in terms oftraditional architecture, common economic linkages that bind the region together, or other shared characteristics.Heritage Preservation – The traditional character of the community should be maintained through preserving and revitalizinghistoric areas of the community, encouraging new development that is compatible with the traditional features of the community,and protecting other scenic or natural features that are important to defining the community’s character.Open Space Preservation – New development should be designed to minimize the amount of land consumed, and open spaceshould be set aside from development for use as public parks or as greenbelts / wildlife corridors. Compact developmentordinances are one way of encouraging this type of open space preservation.Environmental Protection – Environmentally sensitive areas should be protected from negative impacts of development,particularly when they are important for maintaining traditional character or quality of life of the community or region. Wheneverpossible, the natural terrain, drainage, and vegetation of an area should be preserved.Growth Preparedness – Each community should identify and put in place the pre-requisites for the type of growth it seeks toachieve. This might include infrastructure (roads, water, sewer) to support new growth, appropriate training of the workforce,ordinances and regulations to manage growth as desired, or leadership capable of responding to growth opportunities andmanaging new growth when it occurs.Appropriate Business – The businesses and industries encouraged to develop or expand in a community should be suitable forthe community in terms of job skills required, long-term sustainability, linkages to other economic activities in the region, impact onthe resources of the area, and future prospects for expansion and creation of higher-skill job opportunities.Employment Options – A range of job types should be provided in each community to meet the diverse needs of the localworkforce.Housing Choices – A range of housing size, cost, and density should be provided in each community to make it possible for allwork in the community to make it possible for all who work in the community to also live in the community (thereby reducingcommuting distances), to promote a mixture of income and age groups in each community, and to provide a range of housingchoice to meet market needs.Educational Opportunities – Educational and training opportunities should be available in each community – to permitcommunity residents to improve their job skills, adapt to technological advances, or to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions.Regional Solutions – Regional solutions to needs shared by more than one local jurisdiction are preferable to separate localapproaches, particularly where this will result in greater efficiency and less cost to the taxpayer.Regional Cooperation – Regional cooperation should be encouraged in setting priorities, identifying shared needs, and findingcollaborative solutions, particularly where it is critical to success of a venture, such as protection of shared natural resources ordevelopment of a transportation network.City of Lawrenceville 2 - 39Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

3: Issues andOpportunities3.1 IntroductionThis section provides an updated list of Community Issuesand Opportunities identified from a review of the analysis ofCounty/Cities Joint Community Assessment, the SteeringCommittee meetings, online surveys and throughdiscussions with elected officials, City staff, and residents aspart of public meetings described in the CommunityParticipation Program.The report organizes the issues and opportunities by themajor topics defined in the State of Georgia Department ofCommunity Affairs’ (DCA) Local Planning Requirements. Theassessment topics are:• Population• Housing• Economic Development• Natural and Cultural Resources• Community Facilities and Services• Transportation• Intergovernmental Coordination• Land Use3.2 Population3.2.1 Population Issues and OpportunitiesContinuing Population GrowthThe U.S. census estimated the 2005 population to be25,764. This figure is projected to increase to 42,301 by2030. This figure equates to a 66% growth rate during theperiod or an average of 2.64% annually. Given that there isa scarcity of vacant land within the City of Lawrenceville,densities will have to increase to accommodate these newresidents.City of Lawrenceville 3 - 1Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Changing growth rates among age groupsIn 2000, children age 0-17 totaled 5,908 and comprised21.0% of the population. In 2030, this age group isexpected exceed 10,685, increasing its share to 27%.Working adults age 18-64 totaled 14,440 and comprised60.1% of the population in 2000. This age group isexpected to drop in proportion o by 2030 with a projectionof 28,063. There must be continued efforts to plan forgrowth in the Gwinnett County school system as well as thehousing and job markets. Lawrenceville’s senior population(65 and over) is expected to increase slightly from 8% to9% of the total population. The percentages equate to atotal of 3,855 seniors in 2030 up from an estimated 2,049 in2000. Given the presence of the Gwinnett Medical Centerand the expanding services over the next twenty-plus years,it is expected that the percentage of senior citizens inLawrenceville may actually be greater than Censusestimates in 2030.Changing Face of Lawrenceville’s ResidentsIn 2000, Hispanics comprised 12.0% of the population or anestimated 2,720 residents. In 2030, this segment isprojected to grow to 16% of the total population - anincrease of 3,960 residents. The percentage ofLawrenceville residents who are considered neither whitenor black will grow from 2,319 (10.4%) to 5,710 (13.4%).City (and County) services will need to be reviewed andadjusted over time to assimilate these residents for whomEnglish is not their primary language. Lawrenceville expectsthat funding sources to accommodate multi-lingual supportwill originate from services that cater to this changingpopulation.3.3 Housing3.3.1 Housing IssuesDemographic Changes Affect Housing DemandAs the population of Lawrenceville continues to increase,more housing units will need to be made available, atincreasing densities. Additionally, the increase in theimmigrant community has added to the demand foraffordable housing in Lawrenceville. At the same time theCity has placed severe limitations on multi-family dwellingconstructions due to crime, upkeep and quality of lifeconcerns. Lawrenceville wishes to attract higher-endCity of Lawrenceville 3 - 2Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

housing to capture the college professors, medicalprofessionals and other executives who have bypassed thecity in the past for Sugarloaf, Chateau Elan or North FultonCounty communities.Lofts and stacked flats – Athens, GA.Changing Nature of Housing OptionsThe traditional housing unit has been single family, middleclass white owners; however, the City has allowed anumber of multi-family dwellings to be built over the lasttwenty years and has developed a less than desirableowner/renter ratio. Coincidentally, the student populationof Georgia Gwinnett College is expected to grow to 15,000over the next ten to fifteen years. The college intends onhousing approximately 25%, or 3,750 students on campus.It is estimated that another 25% or 3,750 students willwant to live close to the campus. Housing opportunities willneed to be made available to them in styles andaccommodations that are typically found adjacent touniversities (i.e.; townhouses, stacked flats suite-styleapartments, etc.)Aging NeighborhoodsA symbol of pride in Lawrenceville has been theneighborhoods outside of the downtown area that weredeveloped after WWII. These neighborhoods have been asource of stability and have provided a sense of communityfor three generations of residents. However, with many ofthese housing over 50 years old and with the pressures formore rental housing in the area to accommodate demand,especially within the immigrant community, many of theseneighborhoods face the possibility of significant turnover inthe future, which was a significant concern raised throughthe participation process. The City should fosterredevelopment and revitalization of aging neighborhoods toattract and encourage owner occupied housing.Infill development – Duluth, GA.3.3.2 Housing OpportunitiesEncourage Mixed Use/Infill DevelopmentsWhere redevelopment or infill housing developmentopportunities exist, the City should encourage Mixed Usedevelopments similar to those already occurring in thedowntown area. These developments consolidate housing,employment and activity centers which help to reduce trafficcongestion and create an identity unique to Lawrenceville.These developments also allow densities of development toCity of Lawrenceville 3 - 3Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

e achieved to help meet the demand for new units in theplanning horizon.Example of stacked flats.Example of senior housing –attached villas.Encourage “academic­friendly” housing alternativesin the College Corridor AreaThe City should review the Zoning Ordinance andDevelopment Standards to find alternative housingopportunities that will meet the anticipated demand for offcampushousing for students and for college professors andstaff. These opportunities should have accessibility toseveral modes of transportation and should be mixed use innature to promote walkability and to help create the “senseof place” that defines so many college communities.Promote the High Rise CorridorThe City has developed a high rise corridor along SR 316that will accommodate developments up to 35 stories insome locations. The development of properties within thiscorridor at the densities afforded by multi-story buildingswill help provide the additional housing units, together withinfill development, needed to satisfy the housing unitdemand over the next twenty-plus years.Monitor Market for Opportunity to Encourage High­End and Senior HousingAs the Georgia Gwinnett College continues to grow and withthe growth of the Gwinnett Medical Center areas, as well asother higher-end professional jobs in the area, there will bea resulting need for higher-end housing in Lawrenceville.The City should monitor trends and work with developersand these employment generators to find out what types ofhousing opportunities are appealing to these professionalsand how can they be developed within the City Limits.Also as the baby boomer population ages, opportunities forsenior-oriented and senior-friendly housing should beconsidered. Lawrenceville should effectively plan infilldevelopments that provide convenient, centrally locatedservices for seniors, especially with access or in closerproximity to the Gwinnett Medical Center.City of Lawrenceville 3 - 4Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

3.4 Economic Development3.4.1 Economic Development IssuesUnderutilization of downtownFor many years, the downtown area of Lawrenceville acted asthe cultural, economic and social hub of the community. Withthe explosive growth of the City and the County in the 1980’sforward, most of the new retail growth occurred outside of thedowntown area. This left government, service and officefunctions as the main economic activities downtown. Many ofthe buildings were allowed to decay due to absentee landlordsor disinterest from the community. Although the last severalyears have seen an increase in activities in the Courthousesquare area, many adjacent blocks of the downtown area arestill underutilized for entertainment, cultural and small retailactivities.No cohesive economic development policyThe City lacks a comprehensive economic development plan.The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and theLawrenceville Tourism and Trade Association (LTTA)contribute to planning, downtown development and businessleadership, but there remains a need for a formal economicdevelopment plan that is regularly updated.“No one to sell Lawrenceville”Together with the lack of a cohesive economic developmentpolicy, there is no one employed by the City or by the DDAor LTTA to expressly “sell” Lawrenceville as a place to dobusiness. The Chamber of Commerce looks over theinterests of the entire County, and, (as admitted by the Cityleaders and several business owners themselves),Lawrenceville cut themselves off from the County in manyways over the last twenty years, leading many economicdevelopment efforts to focus elsewhere, such as Sugarloaf,Duluth, Suwanee and the Hamilton Mill areas.The City has determined that now is the time to hire a fulltimeEconomic Development Officer that will be responsiblefor developing policy and for “selling” or marketingLawrenceville to the general public. This EconomicDevelopment Officer will not only be responsible for theexpansion of business and job opportunities inLawrenceville, but will also liaison or partner with CityOfficials, the DDA, LTTA, education leaders, healthcareCity of Lawrenceville 3 - 5Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

leaders, and the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce inmarketing Lawrenceville as an inclusive “full-life cycle”community where businesses thrive and residents maximizetheir life’s potential. The Economic Development Officerwould need to identify and target opportunities that woulddovetail with Lawrenceville’s main stakeholders andindustry, such as medical services, airport services,education services (both primary and secondary), andtechnology-based services.Lack of quality accommodations and conferenceevent facilities.In an effort to promote Lawrenceville as a “full-life cycle”community and to increase awareness of the amenities thatthe City has to offer to the wider world (after years ofisolation), it has been determined that there are no facilitiesavailable in the community to handle conferences, smallconventions or meetings, comparable to a similarly-sizedCity in a less urbanized area. With the increasing amount ofprofessional jobs locating in and around Lawrenceville andthe continued development of the College and MedicalCenter area, these types of facilities will be needed tocontinue to support the well balanced growth of the City.Such conference event facilities may be provided throughthe promotion of quality hotels in Lawrenceville and/orthrough standalone facilities that are either privately fundedor partially-funded through the City.3.4.2 Economic Development OpportunitiesGwinnett Hospital SystemThe Gwinnett Medical Center, located off of SR 120 (PikeSt.) is a tremendous economic development opportunity.Compared to adjacent DeKalb and Fulton Counties,Gwinnett County has a much lower ratio of hospital beds/residents. The Medical Center is in the process ofcompleting a multi-million dollar expansion and is awaiting aCertificate of Need for a Cardiac Care Unit. With thedevelopment of the necessary buildings for this facility,compared with other planned expansions of facilities,support units and medical offices, the Medical Centerexpects to add an additional 400 plus jobs on the 120 acrecomplex. This does not count the continued growth ofmedical practitioners and related health care jobs in theareas around the Medical Center in the proposed MedicalServices Cluster character area.City of Lawrenceville 3 - 6Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Additionally, there are a number of specialty medicalmanufacturing industries in the Lawrenceville area.Lawrenceville should actively pursue manufacturers that arelarge skilled-labor employers that have their own researchand development, sales, and marketing departments.These types of industries should be recruited to bring themcloser to the active medical community in the City. The Cityshould continue to support the expansion of the MedicalCenter complex while incorporating changes to the zoningordinances to encourage better connectivity in the MedicalServices Cluster.AirportGwinnett County Airport (Briscoe Field) is continuing togrow and expand their operations. With the ability toaccommodate jets, this airport is a tremendous economicdevelopment opportunity, given its proximity to downtownLawrenceville. In addition, a proposed commuter railstation is proposed just east of the airport property at theintersection of Cedars Road and the CSX tracks, which hasthe opportunity to allow passengers to transfer to rail andvice versa. The City should support and encourage theAirport Authoirty’s master plan for development of the areassurrounding the current airport property.GGC/College CorridorAs Georgia’s newest charted college, Georgia GwinnettCollege has an aggressive master plan for growth and anexpected enrollment of 15,000 in the next ten to fifteenyears. As the college grows, more staff and professors willbe added, who will eat, shop and hopefully live inLawrenceville, like many of the students.The City should encourage the College to implement theirmaster plan while also working with the College staff onjointly examining the areas along Collins Hill/NorthdaleRoads south of SR 316 that have been topic areas for longrangeexpansion of college facilities. The City isundertaking a detailed master plan of the “college corridor”in an effort to coordinate transportation, development andland use changes in the corridor that will accommodate anddirect the growth of the College towards the downtown areaof Lawrenceville.City of Lawrenceville 3 - 7Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

DowntownThe City’s downtown area, which was ignored for manyyears as businesses moved out to more “suburban”locations, is still an undiscovered jewel. New restaurantsand cultural activities, like the recently-renovated AuroraTheater, are drawing lunchtime and evening crowdsdowntown in ever-increasing numbers.With a reinvigorated sense of community, the City with theassistance of several authorities, has encouraged andaccommodated a number of unique design concepts anduses for the downtown area encompassed by the“Downtown Master Plan Overlay District,” includingCornerstone, a mixed use development currently underconstruction.City officials are hopeful that this development will besuccessful and will encourage other mixed use projects tocome to the downtown area to continue its resurgence asLawrenceville. City officials are also targeting the areanorth of the courthouse square along Clayton and PerryStreets near the historic depot as a new “entertainmentdistrict,” in conjunction with the development of the CollegeCorridor Master Plan area. The City should continue to workwith the development community and property owners inthe downtown area to implement the Downtown MasterPlan.3.5 Natural and Cultural Resources3.5.1 Natural and Cultural Resources IssuesGreen Space and Park DevelopmentAlthough known as the “Crape Myrtle City,” and containing(or adjacent to) numerous parks, there is a lack ofconnectivity and greenspace for open space preservationand recreation/conservation. Residents must get in theircars to travel to nearby County facilities for many activerecreational activities.Preserving Historic AreasThere are many historical and older buildings in theDowntown Overlay District that can be revitalized andreused as cultural assets to the City, such as perhapsconverting the old Tabernacle Church into an independentfilm theater and/or concert hall. Although many of theCity of Lawrenceville 3 - 8Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

historical treasures of Lawrenceville are within theDowntown Overlay District, there are historical areas andproperties outside of the downtown area that should bepreserved and protected from incompatible development aswell as be converted for cultural reuse, such as museumsand art galleries.Additional design and modification guidelines are needed forareas located near properties that qualify as candidates forredevelopment and infill development. These guidelinesshould address lot size, appropriate modifications, or theencroachment of incompatible development. Many of thehistoric sites and features may be at risk if inappropriatedevelopment occurs or if the historical structures are leftunused and unappreciated by the community.Groundwater ResourcesThe City has in past comprehensive plans placed a greatdeal of emphasis on the protection of the groundwaterresources underneath Lawrenceville (Lawrenceville aquifer).The City is currently using these resources to supplementthe water that is bought from Gwinnett County and is in thein the process of developing numerous additional wells toincrease the City’s water production. The City mustcontinue to protect the quality of the groundwater.3.5.2 Natural and Cultural ResourcesOpportunitiesGreen Space and Park PreservationEfforts should be made to create and implement acomprehensive green space/walking trail master plan andkeep it up-to-date. By developing a protectiveordinance/overlay district, the City could demonstrate itscommitment to protecting these resources frominappropriate development. The City should also undertakethe development of a series of neighborhood “pocketparks”, similar to Bartow Jenkins Park on US 29. These“pocket parks”, and accompanying trails, would providepedestrian/bicycle connection between neighborhoods andallow residents to exercise, visit and will also keep cars offof the streets.City of Lawrenceville 3 - 9Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Protect Water QualityLawrenceville should continue to provide local managementand oversight of the Lawrenceville Aquifer, as well as towork with Gwinnett County and the Metropolitan NorthGeorgia Watershed Management District (MNGWMD) tomake sure that adequate groundwater and surface waterprotection policies and regulations are in effect.Lawrenceville should continue to comply with and adaptMNGWMD model ordinances that regulate undergroundwater supply and stormwater management and controlsnonpoint source pollution that address a variety of waterquality issues including post-development runoff, floodplainmanagement, stream buffer protection, illicit discharge andillegal connections, and litter control. These modelordinances should be adapted to address the clean up ofabandoned gas stations, industrial sites, and auto salvagelots.Concurrently with this effort, the City also owns propertythat contains an old community landfill from last century.This land has the potential to be redeveloped into morevaluable uses for the City and/or for private redevelopment,because it lies in the Downtown Master plan area. Furtherinvestigations will need to be done to “fix” the boundaries ofthe landfill and to investigate the costs and the availablefunds to remove the waste/remediate the site, and toexplore what uses could be placed on the site upon its finalclean up.State and Federal Historic Preservation ProgramsThe continued preservation of historic and cultural siteswithin the City and surrounding areas should be supported,appeal that attracts residents, business, and tourism toLawrenceville, especially for properties just outside of theDowntown Master Plan areas, built immediately after WWII,which are now considered potentially eligible for NationalRegister of Historic Places status.City of Lawrenceville 3 - 10Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

3.6 Community Facilities and Services3.6.1 Community Facilities and ServicesIssuesAbility of infrastructure to meet growth needsAlthough Gwinnett County provides fire protection and otherservices for Lawrenceville, most other public services, suchas police, public works, solid waste management and water,gas and electric utilities, are owned and managed by theCity. The City’s gas utility includes a much larger servicearea than the City Limits. Much of Lawrenceville’s water ispurchased from Gwinnett County. The wholesale contracthas recently expired and the County is charging retail ratesto the City, which will cause rate increases and otherchallenges in the future unless it is addressed.Given the anticipated growth over the next twenty-twoyears, it is important that these facilities and services aremaintained and expanded as necessary to meet thedemands of the customers, residents and businesses inLawrenceville. Also, as Lawrenceville’s population continuesto diversify, the City should be sure to have (or expand)multi-lingual services for police and other departments thatinteract with the public.Office and storage space requirementsTogether with the need to expand the services offered bythe City, the City’s facilities and storage should continue tobe monitored. Although the new City Hall was constructedseveral years ago, several departments are lacking (or willlack) space in the next several years.Lawrenceville’s finest!3.6.2 Community Facilities and ServicesOpportunitiesExpand/upgrade City servicesThe City is currently preparing plans and obtaining financingto develop eight additional groundwater wells (i.e., bringexisting wells into active production) and to build anadditional treatment facility in the City to increase theamount of water the City produces. The increased localproduction will reduce the daily amount purchased fromCity of Lawrenceville 3 - 11Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Gwinnett County and will provide significant long-termsavings for the City.The City will also upgrade and expand the gas and electricservices as the market develops and regulations change.Expand/upgrade City facilitiesThe City is currently in the process of having a new policeheadquarters designed to meet the future needs of thispublic service. However, the public works and public thatcannot be further expanded, partly due to its sitting on topof an old landfill. Sufficient land should be acquired that islarge enough to accommodate the immediate shop andequipment/vehicle storage needs of the Public Works/PublicUtilities and to allow for future growth.Rendering of proposed PoliceHeadquarters!The City should also develop a strategy to remediate the oldlandfill site to assist in groundwater protection and toprovide additional developable land downtown, which willbecome scarcer as the City continues to redevelop.Infill developmentContinued infill development in the downtown area, alongSR 316, the Medical Services area and other areas shouldpresent the ability to provide utilities without having toextend new lines into previously un-served areas.Additionally, new mixed use development the downtownarea may provide opportunities for future City departmentsto stay downtown near the social, cultural and economichub of Lawrenceville. Also, as City properties are vacatedto larger facilities (such as the current police headquarters,which used to be an automotive dealership) may beredeveloped into commercial or mixed use projects in thedowntown area.City of Lawrenceville 3 - 12Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

3.7 Land Use3.7.1 Land Use IssuesUnique Sense of PlaceOne of the most-voiced complaints from the online surveysand from the steering committee meetings is the perceptionthat there is no “sense of place” that makes Lawrencevillespecial or unique. Due to years of indifference by residentsand officials alike regarding the growth patterns and usesallowed to develop in Lawrenceville, it has been difficult todetermine where the City starts and unincorporatedGwinnett County stops.Lawrenceville street scenes – thesecould be anywhere in AmericaThe government hub of one of the fastest growing countiesin the United States is difficult to distinguish from thesurrounding shopping centers and subdivisions. GwinnettCounty has, over recent years, established overlay districtsin various “character areas” around the unincorporatedcounty that require design elements that distinguish theseareas from the remainder of the surrounding county. Manyin Gwinnett County point to Decatur, in DeKalb County, as amodel of a county seat with an abundance of “uniqueness”and urban development. Unless the City leaders make adetermined commitment to continue the recent efforts topromote Lawrenceville as a special place and incorporatespecific design elements of distinction, the City maycontinue to blend in with the surrounding county or beforeshadowed by higher county standards.Unattractive development of CorridorsMost of the significant commercial development in the Cityhas occurred at the SR 316 interchanges and along thestate highway corridors. Much of the commercial growthsprawls outward from large retail developments andtouches boundaries with residential, office, and greenspaceareas. This can potentially limit the ability to improveconnectivity, improve land use transition or createpedestrian friendly environments.Many of these developments lack any redeemingarchitectural appeal and have their third or fourthgeneration of tenants, as development continued outwardfrom Lawrenceville. The Pike Street and Grayson HighwayCity of Lawrenceville 3 - 13Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

corridors are good examples of this strip corridordevelopment.Redevelopment of downtownAlthough there are many signs that the revitalization effortsare working in the downtown area, such as new restaurantsaround the square and the Cornerstone project underconstruction, there are many very viable properties that aresuffering from neglect. The continued revitalization of thedowntown area is crucial to the maturation of Lawrencevilleinto an established county seat (i.e., Marietta, Decatur, etc.)which have a significant cultural, social, entertainment andspecialty commercial presences.Preservation of older neighborhoodsOne of the strengths of the City over the last twenty yearsis the older post-war residential neighborhoods along ScenicHighway and US 29. These neighborhoods are in danger ofconversion into non-residential uses or to tip over into amajority renter-occupied community, which is a concern tothe continued long-term stability of the community as awhole. Many of the more recently developedneighborhoods (i.e., since the boom of the 1980’s) alongPaper Mill Road, Five Forks Trickum Road, and JohnsonRoad also face these same concerns. Mixed use develop isdesirable in many of these areas, but there needs to besufficient quantities of affordable housing for the futureresidents of Lawrenceville.Decreasing amounts of vacant landConsideration is being given as to the best way to expandthe City Limits and prepare for additional growth.Additional land for commercial, industrial, and mixed useland use development is desired.City growth is limited due to the developed portions ofunincorporated Gwinnett County, which adjoin the CityLimits. Some undeveloped parcels still remain along SR 316and in pockets near Sugarloaf Parkway and along US 29East (Winder Highway).City of Lawrenceville 3 - 14Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

3.7.2 Land Use OpportunitiesIncrease opportunities for higher densityThe City should encourage development in the High RiseCorridor Overlay District (and Character Area) whereincreased densities are permitted. The City should alsoexamine other character areas and zoning districts todetermine where higher densities may be appropriate,especially in mixed use arrangements. Not every area ofLawrenceville would be appropriate for higher densities, butthere are many areas where multi-story office/retail andresidential buildings would be appropriate for a maturingcounty seat of an urbanizing county.Install overlay districts/form­based zoning to guideredevelopmentThe City should review the zoning ordinance, in light of therecommended Character Areas, to establish developmentoverlay districts or other techniques to guide thedevelopment of vacant parcels and the redevelopment ofparcels. Although it will require a paradigm shift, the Citymay want to consider alternative approaches to traditionalzoning approaches to achieve the appearance, density anduse mixtures that have been discussed in this Agendadocument. Alternative approaches need also to enlist morerestrictive requirements that aid in protecting propertyvalues.A good example of this practice in place in the City is theredevelopment of Scenic Highway from Moon Road toGwinnett Drive. As is the case with many older residentialunits that front a major roadway in the County, the housesalong Scenic Highway have slowly been converted to officeuses. However, due to good planning by the City with theirwork to include a grassed median in the widening of ScenicHighway, and by the proper application of zoning principles(Office Neighborhood zoning district) along this section ofroadway, the office uses do not seem in conflict withresidential uses in the adjacent neighborhoods. Theseprinciples can be extended to other areas of the City.City of Lawrenceville 3 - 15Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Provide gateways into Lawrenceville to improvesense of placeThe City has made strides to start developing a clearerboundary between unincorporated Gwinnett County and theCity Limits, especially along Scenic Highway, where newsignage has been installed and the City worked hard toinclude a landscaped median in the widening of theroadway several years ago. The City should develop a setof guidelines for strategic gateway nodes into Lawrencevillethat would provide landscaping, signage, and other featuresto provide a clear delineation between the county and theCity, as one measure of increasing (or reclaiming) the senseof place.3.8 Transportation3.8.1 Transportation IssuesStreet connectivityOne of the biggest issues in Lawrenceville is the lack ofconnectivity of many local streets. This was most recentlybrought to light in the Downtown Master Plan, completed in2005, which showed a number of streets from the original“grid” of Lawrenceville that were never completed or havebeen abandoned in the past. Additionally, the presence ofAerial view of the westernedge of Lawrenceville – notethe lack of connections acrossthe railroad tracks and theend of the traditional gridpattern.the CSX tracks and a ridgeline cuts the downtown area offfrom the business and neighborhoods north of the tracks.There are only four north/south connections in the areanear the downtown, so connectivity between the traditionalCity of Lawrenceville 3 - 16Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods is minimized,together with the tremendous traffic congestion on themajor roadways, making the lack of local street connectivitymore dramatic.Furthermore, in keeping with the “cul-de sac community”trends, neighborhoods of Lawrenceville that were developedin the late 1960’s to early 2000’s, were built withoutvehiclular or pedestrian interconnectivity. Although stubstreets were required in many of these projects, adjacentvacant tracts were developed without connecting the twoneighborhoods together in most all cases, unless the newtract was an extension of the subdivision. Therefore thelifestyle of the newer communities was oriented around theindividual “subdivision” and not around the neighborhood(i.e., pre WWII and immediately post WWIIneighborhoods), with its different architectural style and itsdifferent lifestyles.Aerial view of subdivisions inLawrenceville – note the lackof connections betweendevelopmentsIncreasing traffic congestionLawrenceville is crisscrossed with several state highways(SRs 120, 20, 124) and US 29 which have developed fromstagecoach routes, trails and local streets to multi-lanethrough routes. The traffic congestion in Lawrencevilleduring the weekday, like most other cities in themetropolitan Atlanta area, becomes nearly unbearable, andwas one of the most frequently-cited complaints of theonline survey participants. Improvements made to theroadways in the past have been designed to quickly speedtraffic through the community, which has made much ofLawrenceville, less of a destination and more of a “place toCity of Lawrenceville 3 - 17Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

get through.” With Lawrenceville’s continued growth,combined with the continued growth of the region, thetraffic congestion in and around Lawrenceville is only goingto get worse.Sidewalks/greenwaysMany newer subdivisions and local streets in the downtownarea contain sidewalks, but there is not a comprehensivegrid of sidewalks or greenways that connect destinationsthroughout the City. The lack of connections limit sidewalksas a viable transportation option for many residents, exceptwithin their immediate vicinity. With the increase ofresidents in Lawrenceville who are not as automobiledependant,sidewalks become an important means of safelynavigating the crowded streets of the City.Lack of interparcel connectivityMany of the older commercial and office developments inLawrenceville have no interparcel access between them,forcing patrons to enter onto the major roadways to movefrom building to building. These movements increase thetraffic on these roadways and can cause other problems forthe City. West Pike Street (SR 120) from the railroad bridgeto SR 316 is a prime example of this type of development.Aerial view of Pike Street nearthe hospital – note the lack ofinterparcel connectionsand/or service alleys.To illustrate this point, the adjacent figure shows thecommercial area adjacent to the Gwinnett Medical Centerlacks sufficient interparcel access with the hospital property,which causes traffic tie ups on the main roadway into thehospital, causing the need for an off-duty policeman toregulate turns into the Chick-Fil-A. However, getting out ofthis parking lot back to the hospital is nearly impossibleCity of Lawrenceville 3 - 18Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

most of the day, which causes much frustration for visitorsto the hospital and patrons of this and other nearbyrestaurants. This problem is compounded by inadequatepedestrian connections from the Medical Center to thesebusinesses, which makes it challenging for employees andvisitors to safely walk from the Medical Center and adjacentoffice buildings to the eating and shopping opportunitiesalong Pike Street.Downtown Traffic circulationThe Downtown Master Plan addressed this issue in greatdetail with the one-way street pairings in the central part ofLawrenceville (Clayton and Crogan Streets and Perry andPike Streets), which move traffic through the downtownarea, but make it difficult for locals and visitors to travel tothe area to visit, shop or enjoy the cultural andentertainment activities. Combined with the lack of localstreet interconnectivity, many local vehicular trips are forcedonto the major roadways, which add to the trafficcongestion and frustration of all parties involved3.8.2 Transportation OpportunitiesImprove street connectivityThe City should closely examine opportunities to improvelocal street connections throughout the community, in asimilar fashion as was done in the downtown area. Trafficcongestion can be lessened through taking trips off of themain roadways if the vehicles can get to their destinationswithout having to go on these crowded streets.Improve interparcel connectivity for uses alongmajor roadwaysAs an additional step, the City should require all new nonresidentialdevelopments, and where possible, existingdevelopments to provide interparcel access (both vehicularand non-vehicular) through shared driveways, side or rearalley access, or other means to allow vehicles to travel frombusiness to business without having to enter onto the mainroadways.Encourage Alternate Transportation ModesThe City should encourage the expansion or addition ofalternative transportation modes to reduce vehicular tripson the major roadways and local streets and to promoteCity of Lawrenceville 3 - 19Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Example of a multi­modal station,similar to what could be built toserve the” Brain Train” – Athens, GAexercise and community spirit. Besides the expansion ofthe sidewalks and greenways in the City, the City shouldencourage:• the expansion of the Lawrenceville Shuttle vansystem that are currently running between the GJACfacility and the downtown area;• the continued expansion of the Gwinnett Transit BusSystem; and• proposed “Brain Train” commuter train that wouldpass through Lawrenceville with two stops –downtown and near the Airport at Cedars (in theCounty).More mixed use developmentsMixed use developments allow residents and visitors toaccomplish several tasks without having to move their carbetween uses. More opportunities for locals to live, workand play in Lawrenceville will have numerous positiveeffects on traffic congestion, economic development andland use patterns.Increase sidewalks and greenwaysLawrenceville should continue ongoing projects to improveand upgrade sidewalks in the community, though CDBG andTransportation Enhancement funds. The City should alsorequire improved sidewalk connectivity on newdevelopments (particularly with connections betweenbusinesses and the adjoining roads). The City should studythe possibility of a greenway trail system using utilityeasements, stream corridors and other means to connectneighborhoods, parks and recreational opportunities withschools, commercial areas and employment centers.3.9 Intergovernmental Coordination3.9.1 Intergovernmental Coordination IssuesMunicipal­County CoordinationThe City of Lawrenceville in conjunction with GwinnettCounty, cooperate to provide or share services such asParks and Recreation, E911, Emergency Services, Sheriff’sOffice, schools and sewer. The City should meet regularlywith Gwinnett County and its’ neighboring municipalities todiscuss these issues and others pertinent to the area suchas water resources and transportation management. ManyCity of Lawrenceville 3 - 20Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

of these discussions may currently be facilitated throughregularly scheduled meetings with ARC and various localand regional governing bodies.Regional Transportation PlanningCity officials need to continue to be actively involved in thetransportation planning activities with ARC, GRTA, and theGwinnett County DOT. Transportation issues affecteveryone and are the foundation for many home purchases,employment selections and economic developmentdecisions.3.9.2 Intergovernmental CoordinationOpportunitiesContinue Multi­Jurisdictional CoordinationContinue to discuss issues and solutions regarding ServiceDelivery Agreements in order to provide the best possibleservices to residents. Maintain proactive involvement intransportation and water resources planning, problemidentification, and problem resolution.City of Lawrenceville 3 - 21Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

4: ImplementationProgramThe three subsections included in this section outline theoverall strategy for achieving the Community Vision and foraddressing the Community Issues and Opportunities for theCity of Lawrenceville. It identifies specific measures to beundertaken by the City to implement the plan. The threesubsections include the following:• Policies• Report of Accomplishments• Short-Term Work Program4.1 Policies4.1.1 HousingProvide quality alternative housing choices for a “fulllife­cycle community” so that Lawrencevilleresidents have the opportunity to enjoy thecommunity throughout their lives. Support and promote the Atlanta RegionalCommission’s Regional Development Plan BestHousing Policies.• Protect the character and integrity of existingneighborhoods, while also meeting the needs ofcommunities.• Encourage a variety of home styles, densities andprice ranges in locations that are accessible to jobsand services to ensure housing for individuals andfamilies of all incomes and age groups.• Promote new communities that feature greenspaceand neighborhood parks, pedestrian scale, supporttransportation options and provide an appropriatemix of uses and housing types.• Promote sustainable and energy efficientdevelopment.• Promote and facilitate the redevelopment ofneighborhoods that have fallen into disrepair.• Establish, with changes to the zoning ordinance,City-wide design and development standards toimprove the quality of new housing construction.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 1Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Encourage a mixture of housing values throughoutthe City that allow for economic and social diversitywhile promoting quality of life issues.• Establish a balance of housing types, costs anddensities that result in a positive fiscal impact for theCity.• Ensure that housing developments with commonareas are well constructed and include high-quality,sustainable landscaping and amenities.• Continue Quality of Life improvement effortsthroughout the City. Continue to support the efforts of theLawrenceville Housing Authority to provide safe,affordable housing for those unable to otherwiselive in the City. Encourage and promote “academic­friendly”housing alternatives in the College corridor area.• Encourage traditional neighborhoods and mixed-usedevelopments.• Encourage a variety of types of new multi-familyhousing, such as town homes and stacked-flats. Encourage and promote the development of theHigh Rise Corridor along SR 316 for higherdensity residential uses.• Encourage a wide variety of mixed-usedevelopments with multi-story residentialcomponents within the corridor.• Continue to review the high rise overlay district inthe zoning ordinance for compatibility with housingtrends and with development patterns in adjacentcharacter areas.• Review utility expansion plans to determine ifadequate City utilities are (or will be) available forthe anticipated demand in the corridor. Encourage and promote the development ofsenior­friendly and high­end housing inLawrenceville.• Encourage senior-oriented residential developments,where possible, near the Gwinnett Medical Centerfor easier access to medical resources.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 2Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Review zoning ordinance and developmentregulations to determine if changes need to be madeto accommodate the special requirements of seniororientedhousing.• Promote the development of higher-end housing toprovide opportunities to upper-income individualsand families to move (or stay) in Lawrenceville. Promote and investigate methods of balancingowner occupied housing with rental propertiesthat are more in line with other respectivecommunity­friendly cities.• Research funding sources to undertake acomprehensive housing study to inventory housingneeds and available opportunities to affordable andsafe, quality housing.4.1.2 Economic Development Maintain a comprehensive economicdevelopment plan. Hire a qualified individual to manage theeconomic development efforts of the City ofLawrenceville (i.e., someone to “sell”Lawrenceville). Manage Economic Development through regularreviews and updates to the EconomicDevelopment Plan.• Expand architectural and site design standards, signordinances, tree and lighting standards, andlandscaping and fencing requirements to commercialand industrial zoning districts outside of thedowntown master plan area, including the possibleestablishment of overlay districts with highlydeveloped design standards.• Work with Gwinnett County to encourage alternativemeans of transportation, such as expansion of theGwinnett Transit System in Lawrenceville; theLawrenceville Trolley shuttle service; private vanpools; bicycle programs which utilizes bike trails,pathways and bicycle-sharing; pedestrian pathwaysand sidewalks; and commuter rail service.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 3Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Continue to promote reinvestment in establishedcommercial areas such as the downtown commercialdistrict (Downtown Master Plan area).• Promote reinvestment in commercial areas outsideof the downtown commercial district, such as thedepot area; Scenic Highway and Gwinnett Drive;Grayson Highway and Pike Street/Winder Highway.• Encourage commercial development opportunitieswithin the City that will allow for residents to walk ortravel short distances to work and shoppingdestinations. Promote Live -Work-Play opportunities.• Continue to support the efforts of the LawrencevilleTourism and Trade Association (LTTA). Continue to promote the expansion anddevelopment of the Gwinnett Medical Centercomplex off of Pike Street.• Review utility expansion plans to determine ifadequate City utilities are (or will be) available forthe anticipated demand in and around the MedicalCenter property.• Encourage new projects on the Medical Centercomplex to incorporate improved pedestrianconnectivity. Continue to promote the expansion anddevelopment of the Gwinnett County Airport(Briscoe Field).• Encourage the Airport Authority to continue theimplementation of the Airport Master Plan.• Continue efforts to increase City of Lawrenceville’srepresentation on the Airport Authority board.• Undertake discussions to annex remaining airportproperty, and adjacent industrial properties ifpossible, into the City to provide more consistentservice delivery to the area. Promote environmentally clean industry andbusiness.• Ensure new development pays its fair share ofinfrastructure improvements.• Target business recruitment efforts to types of firmsmost suitable for Lawrenceville and most likely toCity of Lawrenceville 4 - 4Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

establish or expand activity in the City, such asspecialty medical manufacturing.• Encourage growth of small businesses with technicalsupport, particularly in association with local colleges(e.g., Georgia Gwinnett College and N. GwinnettTechnical College).• Promote diversity in the City’s commercial andindustrial base. Increase the viability of businesses in downtownLawrenceville.• Continue strategic public investments to attract moreprivate business in the area and expand thepedestrian scale commercial district (such as walkingtrails and sidewalks).• Support the activity of the Downtown DevelopmentAuthority and LTTA.• Continue to implement the provisions of theDowntown Master Plan provisions. Promote balanced growth and diversity inresidential development, business and industry.• Support strategic public investments to attract moreprivate business.• Encourage appropriate mixed use and infilldevelopment on available land within the City Limits.• Seek opportunities to broaden the City’s revenuebase.• Establish a marketing strategy for the City thatemphasizes growth with positive quality of lifeissues.4.1.3 Natural and Cultural ResourcesPreserve, protect and increase the awareness ofLawrenceville’s valuable natural resources. Support and promote the Atlanta RegionalCommission’s Regional Development Plan OpenSpace and Preservation Policies.• Protect environmentally sensitive areas includingwetlands, floodplains, small water supplywatersheds, groundwater recharge area, rivers andstream corridors.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 5Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Increase the amount, quality, connectivity andaccessibility of greenspace. The City shouldcoordinate greenspace locations and connectionswith surrounding jurisdictions where possible.• Provide strategies to preserve and enhance historicresources. Increase the overall acreage of protected greenspace. Preserve the City’s tree canopy through increasedprotection measures. Coordinate underground water supply protectionmeasures with Gwinnett County and theMetropolitan North Georgia WatershedManagement District (MNGWMD). Continue to educate citizens, local officials, anddevelopers about the value of natural resourcesand the importance of protective measures. Improve pedestrian access to promote a walkablecommunity.Promote the arts, cultural affairs and broad­rangecommunity programs. Promote the development of the area around theDepot on Clayton Street as an arts andentertainment destination, tied in with thedevelopment of the College Corridor. Continue to support the Aurora Theater, localartists and local performances.Improve existing park and recreational facilities andplan for future expansions. Continue the development of multi­use paths,trails, parks and open spaces to provide passiveand active recreation opportunities.• Prepare a Master Plan for walking trail/multi-usepaths locations to provide cost estimates fordevelopment.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 6Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Continue to acquire land for, and develop, pocketparks, similar to Bartow Jenkins Park, for passiverecreational opportunities for residents.• Prepare a Master Plan for pocket park developmentto identify locations suitable for park developmentand to provide cost estimates for development.Integrate historic preservation into the planningprocess. Ensure that existing zoning ordinances have apositive impact on cultural, historic and naturalresources. Continue to protect the integrity of existingneighborhoods by requiring that all newdevelopment matches the scale and style ofexisting structures. Educate homeowners, business owners anddevelopers on historic preservation issues andimplementation. Promote heritage education and tourism.4.1.4 Community Transportation, Facilitiesand Services4.1.4.1 TransportationPromote and maintain an efficient transportationnetwork to support regional circulation whileminimizing traffic congestion in the downtownLawrenceville area and providing and encouragingalternative transportation options for the City’sresidents and businesses. Work to incorporate Best TransportationPractices from the Atlanta Regional Commission’sRegional Development Plan (RDP). Support, promote, participate in the scheduledupdates to the Gwinnett County ComprehensiveTransportation Plan, the Atlanta RegionalCommission’s Regional Strategic TransportationSystem, Regional Freight Mobility Plan, and theRegional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 7Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Work with county and state resources to discoverways to reduce traffic congestion onLawrenceville’s major thoroughfares.• Encourage increased interconnectivity of nonresidentialuses to reduce traffic congestion.• Employ Access Management techniques alongGrayson Highway and other mixed-use and gatewaycorridors.• Review zoning ordinances and Developmentregulations to determine if interparcel connectivity isrequired.• Encourage more mixed use projects to help reducevehicle trips.• Examine funding sources and feasibility ofretrofitting commercial uses along majorthoroughfares with alleys, service drives or othermeans of increasing connectivity.• Research funding mechanisms to improve localstreet connectivity, widening, and additionalsidewalk connections where possible.• Continue discussions with County and State officialson re-routing through traffic on US 29 and SR 120from downtown Lawrenceville.• Continue Downtown Master Plan implementationstrategy to expand “grid” pattern for downtownstreets; to eliminate one-way pairs on non-DOTstreets downtown; to extend some dead end streetsin order to alleviate some of the local traffic off ofthe major thoroughfares.• Continue to support the Lawrenceville Trolley busservice to connect GJAC, the Hospital and otherdestinations with the downtown area.• Research and pursue Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)possibilities for the College Corridor area betweendowntown and SR 316/Georgia Gwinnett College toprovide increased connectivity of streets thatintersect Northdale/Collins Hill Roads, such asrealignment of Maltbie Street and North ClaytonStreets. Continue to support Georgia DOTs efforts towiden SR 316 and coordinate local transportationimprovements with the new SR 316 roadway/ramp alignments.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 8Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Continue coordination with Gwinnett CountyDepartment of Transportation and Georgia DOTregarding programmed transportationinfrastructure improvements. Coordinate with Gwinnett County Transit, GRTAand ARC to consider commuter or local bus routesand that stops are appropriately planned for andincorporated in the transportation network, landuse plan and RTP. Continue to pursue funding to expand thesidewalk construction/expansion program in theCity.• Include increased pedestrian connections from theGeorgia Gwinnett College in any LCIapplications/studies, including a multi-use pathunderneath SR 316 to the Wal-Mart shopping centerarea.• Continue to pursue Transportation Enhancement andSPLOST funds to extend the streetscapeimprovements in the downtown area, and pursueadditional grant programs for streetscapeimprovements along all City corridors. Continue to use SPLOST funds to makeimprovements to local streets as determined bythe Public Works Department. Continue locally funded street maintenanceand/or resurfacing program. Continue to support the development of the“Brain Train” commuter rail effort betweenAtlanta and Athens.• Seek out partners to fund a feasibility study for amulti-modal station in the downtown area adjacentto the CSX tracks to integrate bus, train and nonvehiculartraffic.• Integrate the possibility of a multi-modal station intofuture transportation and land use plans for theCollege Corridor LCI study. Strive to develop a connected city­widepedestrian network that incorporated andconnects to alternative modes of transportation.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 9Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

• Pursue assistance from PATH, ABC, PEDS and otherpedestrian advocacy groups to obtain their expertiseon the design and implementation of safe andconvenient bicycle and pedestrian facilitiesthroughout the City.4.1.4.2 Water Supply and WastewaterEncourage water conservation and appropriateexpansion of water/wastewater facilities. Use water conservation measures within Cityoperations, including low water landscapingpractices (xeriscaping), high efficiency interiorand exterior water fixtures in all City buildings,less frequent washing of City vehicles, andstormwater collection and redistribution. Examine water conservation measures forLawrenceville water customers, include rebateprograms for low­flow fixtures and othermeasures to reduce water use. Educate the public about the importance of wellwater conservation, so as not to deplete theresource. Establish watering regulations andrestrictions that reflect these conservationmatters. Continue groundwater well development to takeadvantage of the presence of the LawrencevilleAquifer and to reduce reliance on GwinnettCounty for potable water. Continue program to build a new water treatmentfacility to treat groundwater from the eight wellsto be brought into the system. Continue water meter replacement and othermaintenance tasks to increase systemperformance and to reduce unaccounted forwater loss.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 10Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

4.1.4.3 Storm WaterEncourage innovative practices in storm watermanagement and maintenance. Continue watershed/stormwater managementprogram (NPDES and MS4) to strengthen policiesfor stormwater, erosion and sedimentationcontrol within the City. Continue to make stormwater infrastructureimprovements with funds from the StormwaterUtility, based upon the recommendations of theStormwater Board. Plan for future maintenance of stormwaterinfrastructure.4.1.4.4 Solid WasteImprove community consciousness regardingrecycling and waste disposal issues. Expand current recycling program. Establish a recycling program for City Hall and allother City departments. Continue Quality of Life program for reducingillegal dumping through the placement ofdumpsters in neighborhoods on a rotating basis. Continue to collect solid waste through the City’sSanitation Department and upgrade equipmentand vehicles as needed. Continue efforts to define extent of buriedgarbage at the old landfill on City property nearthe City public works and utility departments. Pursue funding sources to reclaim old landfillproperty for redevelopment through removal ofwaste on the site.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 11Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

4.1.4.5 Public SafetyContinue to develop and refine the functioning ofpublic safety services. Encourage fair and humane application ofexisting laws and regulations by local lawenforcement officials. Continue to be cognizant of the City’s changingdemographics and employ or retain translatorsand/or multi­lingual personnel and resources tomake sure that residents can be heard and thatpolice officers are clearly understood. Provide informational packages to all newresidents, at time of utility account initiation, thatexplains quality of life issues in Lawrenceville andalso explains the penalties for not followingincorporated rules. These packages may need tobe written in several languages. Continue program of relocating the policeheadquarters facility to provide the most modernfacilities available. Continue to upgrade equipment and vehicles asneeded. Promote more interaction between citizens andpolice.4.1.4.6 Public UtilitiesContinue to provide high levels of customer servicein the provision of natural gas and electric utilities. Continue to upgrade equipment and vehicles asneeded. Continue to expand the gas system as servicedemands it. Continue to upgrade electric and gas systems asservice demands or as regulations require. Acquire additional land and secure funding torelocate public utilities and public works shops,equipment storage and other facilities from thecurrent site on Branson Street.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 12Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Consider establishment of a program to placeoverhead utilities underground in conjunctionwith streetscape improvements along major Cityhighway corridors.4.1.4.7 Hospital and Health CenterContinue monitoring and assessing patient needswithin the City. Continue supporting the efforts of the GwinnettHospital System to expand the Gwinnett MedicalCenter, including the efforts to build a cardiaccare center and expand stroke/trauma centeroperations. Continue to support further development of themedical community in Lawrenceville. Support the further development of specialtymedical manufacturing and similar industries inLawrenceville. Continue to support increased accessibility andinterconnectivity of uses within the MedicalServices Cluster area to improve pedestrianfacilities, reduce congestion along ProfessionalBoulevard, and to improve pedestrian access tothe commercial and office uses on the east side ofPike Street (SR 120).4.1.4.8 Government Facilities and ServicesContinue efforts to provide the highest level ofcustomer service and accountability in light of thechanging nature of the population in Lawrenceville. Continue to provide translation services and/ormulti­lingual employees for general governmentand court services.4.1.4.9 EducationStrengthen relations with the Gwinnett County Boardof Education. Continue to monitor new school locations withinthe City limits and their future demands on Cityservices.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 13Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Continue to support with School Board officials onefforts to improve education and quality of thefacilities in Lawrenceville so that Lawrenceville isa destination for families who want a goodeducation for their children, and not a reason torelocate. Recognize that private educational opportunitiesare possible for the residents of Lawrencevilleand that private/parochial schools may belooking at the City as a site for future facilities.4.1.5 Intergovernmental CoordinationSupport and promote the Atlanta RegionalCommission’s Regional Development PlanCoordination Policies. Assist local governments to adopt growthmanagement strategies that make more efficientuse of existing infrastructure. Inform and involve the public in planning atregional, local and neighborhood levels. Coordinate local policies and regulations tosupport Regional Policies. Encourage the development of state and regionalgrowth management policies. Continue increased communication andcooperation between all municipalities inGwinnett County. Coordinate transportation improvements aroundthe Gwinnett Justice and Administrative Centerwith Gwinnett County’s facility expansion plans. Consider economic and land use impacts tosurrounding jurisdictions during planning efforts. Participate in regional water resourcemanagement planning with state, regional andlocal authorities.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 14Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Participate in regional transportationmanagement planning with state, regional andlocal authorities. Continue to facilitate meetings with local andregional government bodies to ensure that theneeds and services of the City’s residents areproperly planned for.4.1.6 Land UseEstablish appropriate planning procedures andinnovative planning tools to guide growth anddevelopment. Support and promote the Atlanta RegionalCommission’s Regional Development PlanDeveloped Area Policies.• Promote sustainable economic growth in all areas ofthe region.• Encourage development within principaltransportation corridors, the Central BusinessDistrict, activity centers, and town centers.• Increase opportunities for mixed-use development,transit-oriented development, infill andredevelopment.• At strategic regional locations, plan and retainindustrial and freight land uses.• Design transportation infrastructure to protect thecontext of adjoining development and provide asense of place appropriate for our communities.• Promote the reclamation of brownfield developmentsites. Continue to monitor innovative zoning anddevelopment regulation practices to determine ifform­based zoning or similar practices might helpthe City better achieve its vision of a “full lifecycle”community. Integrate character area overlay districts into theCity’s Zoning Ordinance to help areas in need ofimprovement. Foster public/private partnerships that willimprove planning procedures and tools.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 15Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Continue to provide clarity, efficiency, equity, andconsistency in City department policies andprocedures relating to land development review. Coordinate with Gwinnett County and adjacentmunicipalities on decisions relating to land useand land development.Promote orderly growth and development based onphysical, social, and economic needs, environmentalconsiderations, and public facilities and services. Provide sufficient opportunities for each land usetype to serve the needs of the community. Ensure compatibility between land uses whenmaking land development decisions. Mitigate possible adverse impacts of new landdevelopment. Maximize the use of existing and programmedpublic facilities. Minimize public service costsand reduce environmental impacts ofdevelopment. Ensure that work and service areas areconvenient to living areas to promote energyconservation. Establish criteria for implementing aredevelopment policy within the City. Evaluate development proposals based on theimpacts to adjacent land uses and servicedelivery. Promote an attractive environment throughdesign guidelines specific to each character area. Coordinate the installation of sidewalks with theGeorgia DOT and the Gwinnett DOT on all non­City owned thoroughfares within the City Limits. Avoid land use patterns that result in the costly,over­extension of community facilities orservices.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 16Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Protect and preserve established neighborhoodsincluding those of historical significance to theCity.Improve and rehabilitate existing neighborhoods by: Eliminating or minimizing the impact of blightingfactors such as incompatible land uses and highvolume traffic routes. Upgrading public facilities and services. Providing basic amenities such as parks and openspace. Encouraging the rehabilitation and/orreplacement of substandard residentialstructures. Promote the preservation of older or historichomes through adaptive reuse, and reviewexisting policies to determine if appropriatedesign guidelines are needed. Provide transition in scale and/or land usebetween high and low intensity land uses. Provide opportunities for higher densityresidential development to serve as a bufferbetween non­residential nodes and surroundingsingle­family detached neighborhoods. Permit residential/mixed uses while maintainingthe retail character of local streets. Retain single­family housing as the predominanthousing type in Lawrenceville. Ensure that higher density housing is located inclose proximity to major thoroughfares,employment centers, shopping facilities, andother activity centers.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 17Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Provide for the development of appropriatecommercial facilities on both Citywide andneighborhood levels while revitalizing undesirableexisting facilities. Encourage reuse and revitalization of obsoletecommercial facilities. Encourage and promote technological industriesthat rely on highly­skilled labor forces anddevelop in technology park­type settings ratherthan heavy industry. Promote walkable (pedestrian­oriented andnicely­landscaped) and planned (rather thanstrip) commercial development. Restrict further commercial strip development onmajor streets beyond existing developed andzoned areas. Within existing strip commercialareas, allow for the in­filling of compatible mixeduses. Promote commercial development that containscompatible and complementary uses. Promote safe and adequate ingress to and egressfrom commercial development. Promote interparcel connectivity and servicealleys to reduce congestion on collector roads andmajor thoroughfares. Provide safe and adequate pedestrian and bicycleaccess to and within commercial and activitycenters. Encourage the location of neighborhood­scalecommercial uses in areas convenient to existingand future residential development.Retain existing business and professional offices, andprovide for the development of suitable areas forbusiness and professional offices. Encourage retail and office uses to locate indesignated areas that are well served by publicinfrastructure.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 18Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Encourage retail and office uses to be designed sothat they are compatible with surrounding landuses. Ensure that office/professional developmentsaddress adequate buffering, appropriate parking,and open space. Locate office development near commercialactivities and higher density residential areas. Continue to promote conversion of residentialuses in transitional areas to office professionaluses to minimize impact on existing residencesand to provide buffers between incompatibleuses. Continue to require safe and adequate ingress toand egress from office development and adequateland for off­street parking and internal vehicularcirculation.Retain existing compatible industry and preserveadequate land, services, and facilities for expansionand growth of light, clean industrial activities. Encourage reuse and revitalization of industrialfacilities. Encourage the development of clean,environmentally safe industry within industrialland use zones. Engage the industrial community withinLawrenceville to discuss transportation /circulation concerns and to develop solutions totransportation and land use problems. Ensure that industrial sites are designed foradequate buffering, parking and open space. Encourage environmentally friendly parking lotsite plans. Restrict industrial uses that have nuisancecharacteristics and detract from the character ofLawrenceville.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 19Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Locate new industrial uses to ensure access tomajor thoroughfares. Ensure that industrial development has adequatepublic facilities and utilities. Discourage industrial uses that are incompatiblewith surrounding uses.Provide adequate public and semi­public facilitiesand services to meet the needs of Lawrenceville'spopulation. Seek centralized locations for municipal buildingsand facilities.• Monitor vacant land in areas that are conducive tothe future development of government facilities.• Investigate possible funding sources for theacquisition of said property• Coordinate efforts with Gwinnett County, wherepossible, to identify potential government operationssites/buildings. Encourage land developers to provide sites forschools and other government facilities in properrelationship to existing and future residentialdevelopment. Encourage environmentally friendly parking lotsite plans.Continue to promote the revitalization of thedowntown master plan area. Continue to monitor implementation of theDowntown Master Plan. Encourage continued revitalization of thedowntown district through public/privateimprovements. Discourage large surface parking lots byencouraging parking decks or shared parkingareas. Provide adequate signage for existing municipalparking lots.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 20Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Provide safe and adequate pedestrian and bicycleaccess from nearby areas to commercial andoffice uses in the downtown area. On a limited basis, encourage residential useswithin the downtown area. Promote high­quality landscape design along thecorridors leading into the downtown area. Promote the development of the commercial andresidential areas adjacent to the CSX tracksaround Clayton Street as an entertainment andcultural arts destination.Maximize the attractive character of Lawrencevilleby establishing aesthetically pleasing gateways andcorridors into the City. Utilize open space, pocket parks, and otherbuffers to minimize adverse impact of noise andvibration generated by vehicular traffic. Improve the aesthetic quality of land uses alonggateways and corridors into the City with lighting,landscaping and signage improvements. Regularly evaluate City ordinances that enforcezoning and building standards, especiallyordinances that promote the health, safety andwelfare along the corridors and gateways into theCity.• Establish design guidelines for gatewaynodes/corridors.4.1.7 Land Redevelopment & InfillDevelopment Promote the redevelopment of under­utilized orvacated land or structures. Promote the redevelopment of land whose landuse function is outdated or obsolete. Promote increased buffers and greenspace in thetransitional areas between residential andindustrial land uses.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 21Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Identify and investigate the large scale (multiparcel)redevelopment potential of areas in needof redevelopment or revitalization. Provide economic incentives to identify andredevelop multi­parcel areas with under­utilized,vacated, or outdated land uses. Identify and promote infill developmentopportunities of vacant or under­utilized landwithin developed areas of the city. Provide economic incentives to identify andredevelop vacant or underutilized land withindeveloped areas of the city in which infilldevelopment is appropriate.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 22Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

4.2 2005­2008 Report of AccomplishmentsProjectsStartYearYearCompletedCostEstimateFundingSourceResponsiblePartyRoadsJackson Street Improvement 2006 2007 $2,800,000Luckie Street Improvement2008designongoing $435,792City,County,StateARC, DOT,TEACity, County,StateCity, privateTransportation & TransitStudy2005 2006 $57,500 SPLOST CityTwo-way Streets Downtown2007LCI, DOT,ongoing $575,000designCityCityCity,Parking Deck EAST of2005 2007 $2,875,000 SPLOST,SquareprivateCity, privateTraffic calming effectsARC, DOT,2006 ongoing ?downtownTEACityScenic Hwy. & New HopeCity, DOT,2005 2006 $500,000Road intersection upgradeSPLOSTCity, DOTWidening of SR 20 2006 ongoing ? DOT DOTWidening of US 29 fromdowntown to Paper Mill Rd.2008 ongoing ? DOT DOTPaper Mill Rd. & SpringlakeRd. intersection2007 2008 ? GCDOT GCDOTimprovementsSugarloaf Parkway Extension 2005 Constructionfrom SR 20 to New Hope Rd. design ongoingSPLOST GCDOTPike Street & Langley Driveintersection improvements2007 2007 $70,000 County GCDOTParksRhodes Jordan ParkExtensionRhodes Jordan Edge Trail &LandscapingBike & Walking Trail MasterPlanBike & Walking Trail Design& Build2006design2006designongoing $200,000City,County, ARCCity, Countyongoing $230,000 City, County County2006 2007 $30,0002007designongoing $300,000City,County,SPLOSTCity,County,SPLOSTCityCityCommunity FacilitiesNew Aurora Theatre 2005 2006 $1,000,000New LTTA Office2006design2007 $32,200City,SPLOSTSPLOST,LTTACityLTTACity of Lawrenceville 4 - 23Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

4.2 2005­2008 Report of Accomplishments continuedProjectsStartYearYearCompletedCostEstimateFundingSourceResponsiblePartyNew Visitor & WelcomeCenterNew Police BuildingMove Historic Isaac-AdairHouse & Log Cabin fromSugarloaf Parkway Extensionpath to Clayton StreetGC Health Department moveto old WalmartGwinnett Medical Center 9-story Hospital Wing Addition1020-bed Dormitory at GGCollege2007design2007designongoing $115,000SPLOST,DDA, LTTA,grantsLTTAongoing $3,000,000 SPLOST City, DDA2008 2008 ? SPLOST County2007 2008 ? County County2007 ongoing ?2008designCounty,privateCounty,privateongoing ? State StateWater SystemEzzard Well RadiationTreatmentWiner Well #7 InternTreatment PlantWiner Water TreatmentPlant & 10 wells200820082007studyongoingprojected2008ongoingprojected2008ongoingprojected2009$80,000 City City$60,000 City City$6,700,000 GEFA CityGas SystemGas Line Relocation – SR 81& Hwy. 78 IntersectionGas Line Relocation – onHwy. 20 from Plantation Rd.to Ozora Rd.Automatic Meter ReadingChangeout2007 2007 $80,000 private City20072007phase 1$3,000,000 City City2006 ongoing ? City CityDowntown Isolation Valve 2008 ongoing $320,000 City CityTankless Water HeaterCity,City,2008 ongoing ?Programcustomers customersPolicies and ProceduresUpdate of Zoning Ordinance 2005 ongoing $0 City CityHigh-rise Ordinance 2008 2008 $0 City CityDowntown Master Plan 2005 2005 $150,000 City CityCity of Lawrenceville 4 - 24Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

4.3 Short­Term Work ProgramEconomicDevelopmentProjectsStartYearYearCompletedCostEstimateFundingSourceResponsiblePartyInitiate a ConceptualPlanning and FeasibilityStudy for a City ConventionCenter.Initiate Detailed Design andConstruction of a CityConference Center.Hire an EconomicDevelopment Officer tomarket and “sell”Lawrenceville.Continue to support effortsof the LawrencevilleDowntown DevelopmentAuthority (LDDA) and theLawrenceville Trade andTourism Association (LTTA)in their efforts to promotedowntown events and thecontinued development ofthe downtown area.Continue to support theAurora Theater and othercultural activities downtown.Encourage and support theexpansion of GwinnettMedical Center and itsefforts to become a regionalleader in trauma care andcardiac care.Encourage the continueddevelopment of specialtymanufacturing of medicalequipment and devices inLawrenceville.Encourage development ofquality hotel propertieswithin Lawrenceville.2009 2010 $20,000 City2010 2013 $15-20 millionCitySPLOSTother2009 ongoing $150,000/year City2009 ongoing $275,000/yearCityHotel- Moteltax2009 ongoing N/A N/A2009 ongoing N/A N/A2009 ongoing N/A N/A2009 ongoing N/A N/ACity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrenceville/LDDA/LTTACity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrenceville/LDDA/LTTACity of Lawrenceville 4 - 25Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

TransportationProjectsStartYearYearCompletedCostEstimateFundingSourceResponsiblePartyADA Sidewalk Improvements 2009 2013 $100,000/yearSidewalk Improvements(GJAC to Rhodes Jordan Park)Complete Luckie StreetImprovements.Complete Carver CircleImprovements.Complete Chestnut StreetImprovements.Construct improvements toNorthdale (“College Avenue”)Drive, as a part of the CollegeOverlay LCI project.InprogressInprogressInprogressInprogressStreet Resurfacing 2009 2013Design and Construction ofOne-Way Pair Removal(Clayton and Perry Streets)Participate in Conceptual Planand Feasibility Study forMulti-modal Station andparking improvementsadjacent to railroad tracks.Prepare Master Plan andFeasibility Study for CityGreenway/Walking TrailSystem to includeconnections with GwinnettCounty and neighboringcommunities.Review and update ZoningOrdinance to requireinterparcel access along stateand county roadways.Improve downtown municipalparking area signage andimprove communitywayfinding and directionalsignage.Coordinate proposedtransportation improvementsin the downtown area withthe expansion of facilities atGwinnett Justice andAdministration Center.2009 $650,000Gwinnett CDBGProgramTransportationEnhancementFunds/SPLOST2009 $1 million SPLOST2009 $250,000 SPLOST2009 $250,000 SPLOST2013 2016 $7-10 million TE/SPLOST/LCI$15 milliontotal2010 2013 $4.3 millionSPLOST/LARPLCIImplementationFunds2009 TBD SPLOST/State2009 2010Approx.$50,000City/SPLOST2010 2010 $3,000 CityInprogress2009 $25,000 City Funds2010 2015-2018 N/A N/ACity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCityGwinnett Co.StateCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrenceville,DDA, LTTACityGwinnett Co.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 26Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

TransportationProjectsStartYearYearCompletedCostEstimateFundingSourceResponsiblePartyContinue to support TownTrolley downtown shuttle.Initiate gateway nodesignage, lighting andbeautification program.Inprogress2009 20132013 $3500/month DDA City/DDA/LTTA$10,000 pernodeCityCity ofLawrencevilleLand Use ProjectsStartYearYearCompletedCostEstimateFundingSourceResponsiblePartyUndertake College CorridorMaster Plan to target propertiesfor development to encouragethe growth of entertainment andcultural activities in the depotarea north of the courthousesquare.Undertake College CorridorMaster Plan Detailed Design fortransportation and land useimprovements.Create Overlay Districts toimplement character areas andupdate Zoning Ordinance torefine and integrate characterareas into the document.Encourage developers to identifyproperties in the downtown area(and other areas) that have thepotential to be revitalized.Continue to review architecturalplans and site plans forconsistency with the establishedarchitectural guidelines topromote the character areadevelopment.2009 2009$75,000-$100,0002011 2012 $125,0002011 2016 $35,000/year2009 ongoingARC LCIfunds/CityLCISupplementalStudy FundsCity ofLawrenceville2009 ongoing N/A N/AARC/City ofLawrencevilleCity/ARCCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity of Lawrenceville 4 - 27Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

CommunityFacilities andServices ProjectsStartYearYearCompletedCostEstimateFundingSourceResponsiblePartyPrepare Master Plan forPocket Park systemdevelopment.Continue feasibility studyto clean up former dumpon city property.Undertake cleanup offormer dump on ClaytonStreet (after relocation ofCity Utility Departmentstructures).Construct new policeheadquarters facility.Continue placement ofQuality of Life dumpsters insubdivisions to promoteclean ups and todiscourage illegal dumping.2011 20122009 2010Approx.$35,000$2 million(shared costwithcleanup)2010 2012 $2 million2009 2010 $8.5 millionInprogressExpand Recycling program. 2009 2013Continue to extend gassystem as driven by servicedemand.Complete design plans andconstruct improvements foreight additional wells intothe City’s system.Design and construct 1.3MGD water treatmentfacility.Acquire location forrelocation of UtilityDepartment buildings andfacilities.Construct UtilityDepartment complexFinalize Water ServiceDelivery Contract withGwinnett CountyGeneral FundCity ofLawrencevilleGrantsCity ofLawrenceville/EPASPLOTS/GeneralFunds 2004-20092013 $50/000/year City Funds2009 2013 Cost variesCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrenceville2009 2010 $6 million GEFA/City Funds2009 2010Approx $3.7million2009 ongoing $4 millionGEFA/City FundsCity ofLawrenceville2013 2015 $12 million City Funds2009 ongoing Cost variesCity ofLawrenceville/Gwinnett CountyCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrenceville/GwinnettCountyCity of Lawrenceville 4 - 28Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

4.3 Short­Term Work Program continuedNatural andCulturalResourcesProjectsStartYearYearCompletedCostEstimateFundingSourceResponsiblePartyDevelop and encouragewater conservationprogram through rebatesfor low-flow plumbingfixtures, etc.Continue to implementstormwater managementplan, include MS4requirements through theStomwater Utility board.Continue to improvestormwater quality throughstructural improvements.Remodel existing historicstructure on Crogan Streetto house Welcome Center.Encourage a centrallylocatedfine arts centerwith gallery spaceAdopt a Tree ProtectionOrdinance2009 ongoing2009 ongoing $50/000/year2009 ongoing $50/000/yearInprogress2010 $100,000StormwaterUtilityStormwaterUtilityGrants/privatefunds/LTTA/DDACity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrenceville/StormwaterManagementBoardCity ofLawrenceville/StormwaterManagementBoardCity/LTTA/DDA2010 ongoing N/A N/A Community2009 2010 $15,000City ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleIntergovernmentalCoordinationProjectsStartYearYearCompletedCostEstimateFundingSourceResponsiblePartyWork with Gwinnett Countyand other local governmentsto coordinate adjacent landuses and ensure efficientprovision of services.2009 ongoing N/A N/ACity ofLawrencevilleCity of Lawrenceville 4 - 29Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

4.3 Short­Term Work Program continuedHousing ProjectsStartYearYearCompletedCostEstimateFundingSourceResponsiblePartyReview Zoning Ordinanceand design standards toensure that they allow forand encourage a variety ofhousing optionsReview Zoning Ordinance toensure that they allow forflexibility for mixed-useresidential developments inthe downtown and mixeduse character areas.Encourage senior-orientedhousing to be developed inLawrencevilleReview Zoning Ordinanceand development regulationsto determine sufficientflexibility exists for seniorfriendlyhousing.Encourage redevelopment ofaging housing stock tohigher quality standardscompatible with characterareasEncourage developers toincrease quality of newhousing through densitybonuses and othertechniquesEncourage mixed usedevelopment to occur inareas where these types ofactivities are in keeping withthe character areasEncourage new constructionto be more “green” in itsmaterials and practicesInvestigate a RevitalizationImprovement Program foraging neighborhoodsInvestigate a method tobalance owner occupiedhousing with rentalproperties2009 ongoing2009 ongoing2009 ongoing2009 20102010 ongoing N/A N/A2010 ongoing N/A N/A2010 ongoing N/A N/A2010 ongoing N/A N/A2009 2011 N/A N/A2009 2011 N/A N/ACity ofLawrencevilleCity ofLawrencevilleCity/developmentcommunityCity ofLawrencevilleCity/developmentcommunityCity/developmentcommunityCity/developmentcommunityCity/developmentcommunityTask force byCityTask force byCityCity of Lawrenceville 4 - 30Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

Downtown MasterPlan Area/LCI AreaProjectsStartYearYearCompletedCostEstimateFundingSourceResponsiblePartyPlease see the following for a detailed list of projects to be implemented in the Downtown MasterPlan/LCI project area. Any redevelopment efforts in the City’s Downtown Master Plan Areashould refer directly to the recommendations from the recently completed LCI study.City of Lawrenceville 4 - 31Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

City of Lawrenceville 4 - 32Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008

City of Lawrenceville 4 - 33Comprehensive Plan 2030Adopted VersionCommunity Agenda 6 October 2008