A Comprehensive Plan is an adopted policy document that is intended as a guide to decision-making over the next 5-15 years to assist the Planning Commission and elected officials with making decisions regarding present and future needs based on public input. The plan is used for guiding decisions regarding land use (and rezoning), future growth and development, housing, community facilities and services, public infrastructure and capital improvements.
The plan will be developed in accordance with Alabama Code of Law § 11-52-8. through 11-52-10.
Relationship Between Zoning and the Future Land Use Map
The Future Land Use Map expresses the community’s vision for how they want to see Cordova be preserved and developed over time. It is a guidance document, not a set of regulations. It does not replace the City's zoning and development regulations. The Future Land Use Map and the descriptions of each Future Land Use category are intended guide decisions on zoning cases and discretionary permits by the Planning Commission and City Council.
The Planning Commission and Council should refer to the Future Land Use Map whenever they evaluate a proposed rezoning or land use question. If the proposal is consistent with the Future Land Use Map, then they should approve it; if it is not, then they should evaluate other alternatives. The Future Land Use Map is not a static document, however; it can and should be periodically updated to reflect changes in real conditions and community preferences.
Who is developing the Comprehensive Plan and how much did the City pay for this?
The City of Cordova, Alabama, took a significant step towards progress by submitting an application for an ARC Strategic Planning grant to the Appalachian Regional Commission on December 30, 2022. Their objective was to develop a Comprehensive Plan for the City. The hard work paid off when the grant was officially awarded on May 25, 2023. The $50,000 in grant funding is being utilized to compensate the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) for their efforts in crafting the Comprehensive Plan.