As a member of the Smart Growth Network, SMART GROWTH AIKEN will capitalize on the emphasis and impetus already created to forge a partnership with the Aiken City Council for the purpose of addressing all aspects of development and growth in Aiken and its environs. To make a meaningful impact, SMART GROWTH AIKEN will seek to be an active participant in the planning processes. We will encourage the City Council to ensure that the City Planning Commission and other Boards acquire members representative of all of the interest groups that contribute so much to the makeup of Aiken. Ideally, this would include qualified individuals from the currently under-represented Arts, Environmental, Preservation, Horse, Professional, Education and Retirement Communities. In order to achieve this goal of greater balance it may be necessary for the City Council to increase the number of appointees to the various Boards and Commissions.

SMART GROWTH AIKEN will encourage City officials to reach out to Aiken County officials to coordinate regional planning so that new development throughout the County is evaluated by similar standards for it's impact on the quality of life which now exists in the area. We will also reach out to interest groups throughout the county to encourage more participation in the planning process from neighborhoods that may be directly affected.

SMART GROWTH AIKEN does not oppose new development in our community. We ask only that the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, which has been prepared with participation by citizens representing a broad spectrum of community interests be given great weight before local government approves development requests. Proposed projects that require zoning changes or variances or those which in other ways contravene the Comprehensive Plan must be viewed with great caution and approved only when there is a clear benefit to the Community. We must all be diligent!