Covington Intown Initiatives - Covington is the centerpiece and linchpin of Newton County. The preservation and success of its downtown square as well as the future revitalization of the 278 commercial area , proposed new zoning ordinances for Covington, and efforts underway to improve Pace Street are important to promote good commercial and residential development and growth, to preserve Covington’s beautiful and diverse intown walkable neighborhoods, and to safeguard Covington’s unique sense of place and quality of life.
Harristown Revitalization - The Arnold Fund plans to help revitalize Covington’s historic downtown Harristown community by replacing homes in severe disrepair which cannot be renovated with new affordable homes in similar style. The Harristown neighborhood dates back to the end of the nineteenth century and is one of the city’s oldest historically black neighborhoods.
Clarks Grove - a Traditional Neigborhood Development within walking distance of the Covington Square with a variety of housing choices, a Montessori School, a church, and a small commercial center.
Porterdale Mills Redevelopment - an innovative reuse of historic mills along the Yellow River into loft dwellings and commercial enterprises in the center of historic Porterdale.
Oxford Town Plan - an effort by forward thinking citizens of Oxford and the UGA Metropolitan Design Studio. The plan features a new town center focused on a new central green space, new pedestrian friendly mixed use development within a five minute walk of the town center, and continuation of trail and sidewalk projects.
Mt. Pleasant College Town - an innovative plan for a new town surrounding the Newton Campus of Georgia Perimeter College in east Newton County. Just off exit 98 of Interstate 20, it will take advantage of existing infrastructure to create a traditional town square with office and residential above commercial, a range of housing choices in town homes and single family dwellings, and parks and greenspace.
Newton Trails - a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a county network of hard-surfaced, multi-use trails for pedestrians and bicyclists to serve as a recreational opportunity, an alternative transportation system, and a contributor to physical health and quality of life.
Transferab
le Development Rights (TDRs) - enables landowners in an area planned to remain as open space to sell their property development rights for use in other areas of the community where higher density development is acceptable or desirable. Newton County has commissioned a study of TDRs with the UGA River Basin Center and its TDR team, including nationally known TDR consultant and author Rick Pruetz, and the UGA Land Use Clinic. The Center will participate in the study and provide meeting and working space for the study team. This study is currently underway.
Greenspace Preservation - has become an important issue in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area as well as our county. Smart Growth Newton County has co-sponsored three “Land Talks” forums with Walton and Morgan Counties for landowners, developers, elected officials, and others with information on Conservation Easements as a tool to preserve open land, and on Conservation Subdivisions as an incentive for developers to set aside greenspace, and state greenspace funding opportunities. The Trust for Public Land, Georgia Conservancy, and Atlanta Regional Commission hosted a breakfast meeting at The Center in Covington March 2007 to discuss "Growing a Greenspace Vision", a ongoing program to help Newton and other counties on metro Atlanta borders preserve greenspace.
Newton County Land Trust - established in 2000 to facilitate and hold easements of permanently protected land in Newton County; currently holds easements for 235 acres. Contact at frank.turner@gstlawfirm.com
Newton County Comprehensive Plan and City of Covington Comprehensive Plan - Newton County and Covington are the process of updating their Comprehensive Plans for 2028. Georgia Department of Community Affairs requires a Community Vision comprised of a Vision Statement and a Future Development Map, a list of the Issues and Opportunities that the community intends to address over the next 20 years, and an implementation program for achieving that vision, the heart of which is a Short-term Work Plan that identifies specific actions the community will take over the next 5 years. These Comprehensive Plans will serve as the official long-range policy for guiding future decisions concerning land use, zoning, and public facilities for Newton Countyand the City of Covington. These plans are at various stages of completion so information in links may be incomplete.
The Center - located in Covington, has as its objective collaborative planning, education and awareness, and partnership and funding for creative solutions to accommodate and manage growth in Newton County and its municipalities. Many of the efforts towards good growth listed above are a result of The Center's work.
