"Unrestrained growth is taking over every aspect of life …"
Cherokee County has a 2006 population of approximately 200,000. Out of 3,077 US counties, it is the 24th fastest growing. Approved and in the pipeline are approximately 33,000 new homes that will swell this population by another 90,000 in the next 5 -10 years. Growth that closely follows our Land Use Plan establishes predictability and allows for the construction of roads and schools. Residential re-zonings must stop exceeding planned density, and rural/estate areas should maintain 2-acre minimum lot sizes.
Cherokee County and her Cities must work together to create:
An cost-effective road system designed to minimize traffic congestion and maximize safety,
Schools with adequate resources to be able to focus solely on education,
Diverse and career-enhancing employment opportunities within our County,
Cherokee needs quality jobs. We have lost large employers. We need a business climate that encourages our existing businesses to stay and expand. To attract clean industries and professional offices, we must market Cherokee more aggressively and plan for office space in prime locations.
A quality of life where we can enjoy the unique character of our cities and our rural and planned communities,
Public safety that has the resources to keep up with new growth,
Low tax rates. The residential portion of our tax digest continues to grow. However, County spends about $2 in support services for every residential property tax dollar it collects. To improve our tax base, we must add quality non-residential development while managing residential growth rates.