Chapter Two: Visions and Goals

Covington is a community at the corner of yesterday and tomorrow. The city’s culturally rich heritage and historic design paves the way for future innovation. Residents and visitors of all ages, abilities, and incomes are welcome to the diverse, safe, comfortable, and walkable environment. Citizens have access to state-of-the art schools, a variety of quality housing options, and first-rate employment opportunities.

Businesses and employers that invest in Covington are not only partners with the City but are also friends and family. Assets such as high-end city services, superior infrastructure, and a multi-modal transportation network permits smart growth and will enhance the community and sustain the small-town charm for years to come.

Goals And Policies

The goals and policies below serve as a roadmap for elected officials and city staff and chart the course for the City to turn the vision into reality. They are categorized based on DCA’s State Planning Recommendations and target identified needs and opportunities. The abbreviations are used as a reference in the community work program.

Population, Community, and Governance (PCG)

• Encourage citizen participation in all government activities, events, and initiatives.

• Serve residents and attract newcomers and tourists by providing quality services, employment and retail options, and recreational opportunities.

• Celebrate the entire community by embracing diversity and inclusion.

• Enhance the sense of place by hosting community events for residents and newcomers.

• Maintain the nature and character of our community’s “Small Town Feel”.

• Raise the standard of living and increase the quality of life for our residents.

Planning and Land Use (PLU)

• Guide new development in targeted locations in order to protect natural resources, environmentally sensitive areas, and the city’s historic aesthetic.

• Attract developments whose design, landscaping, signage, and scale add value to the community.

• Guide developers to understand the aesthetic and feel that we want to achieve.

• Spur appropriate developments that align with our community’s planning priorities and are sustainable, utilizing existing infrastructure.

• Ensure zoning ordinances reflect best practices in zoning that promote positive economic development and quality growth.

• Support mixed-use developments that align with our values and goals, and promote a vibrant area to live, work, and play.

• Encourage redevelopment with a mixture of uses, while strengthening viable neighborhoods and commercial areas.

• Promote redevelopment and infill to maximize our use of space.

Transportation (T)

• Establish public transit as a mode of transportation for all residents and visitors.

• Continue to expand and connect the city’s trail system in a way that fosters recreational opportunities and transportation alternatives, including linkages to neighboring trails and other points of interest.

• Enhance the safety, walkability, and design of the Highway 278 Corridor by supporting and utilizing the 278 Community Improvement District (CID).

• Design streets, intersections, and Right-Of-Way’s (ROW) that encourage connectivity, walkability, bicycle use, sidewalks, electric vehicles and carts, and safe crossings.

• Promote and maximize the use and upgrade of the Covington Airport.

Parks and Recreation (PR)

• Establish a high degree of continuity in the tree canopy.

• Maintain high quality parks, both active and passive, while continuously adapting to the future needs and wants of the community.

• Improve local parks and greenspaces that are inviting to all members of the community.

• Support the implementation and connection of Central Park.

• Develop guidelines and trail heads for the Cricket Frog Trail.

• Continue to partner with Newton Trails on the development and expansion of trails with our city.

Infrastructure and Community Services (ISC)

• Continue providing exceptional water, sewer, gas, and electric services in a safe, clean, efficient, economical, and environmentally sound manner, concurrent with new development.

• Maintain our fire department’s level two ISO rating.

• Forecast and budget infrastructure improvements before improvements are needed.

• Provide exceptional customer service to all utility customers.

• Maintain the safe atmosphere of our community.

Sustainability (S)

• Implement strategies and sustainable solutions for decreasing energy usage from public streetlights, fleet vehicles, and public facilities.

• Improve the environment by monitoring and improving local air quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cleaning up waterways, reducing auto dependency by increasing transportation options, decreasing waste, and reducing uncontrolled development.

• Partner with local non-profit organizations such as Sustainable Newton to promote sustainability initiatives throughout the community.

• Encourage the use of electric vehicles and advertise electric vehicle charging stations provided by the City.

• Upgrade recycling services to residents and businesses.

Broadband (B)

• Expand city services to include broadband as an option for residents and employers within the city.

• Supply the residents and employers with exceptional broadband access and broadband speeds.

• Identify strategic investments and partnerships to reach a threshold of 100% residents served.

Intergovernmental Coordination (IC)

• Partner and coordinate with other local jurisdictions in Newton County to manage cost and handle growth in an effective manner.

• Support efforts to collaborate with local governments at a regional scale.

• Engage in partnerships with Newton County Schools, as well as the local colleges, to create a world-class educational system.

Economic Development (ED)

• Encourage a diverse and vibrant local economy that provides meaningful employment for our citizens.

• Partner with existing businesses and industries to support and encourage the retention and expansion of jobs.

• Attract businesses and industries that are compatible and add value to the character of our community.

• Develop a business environment that attracts and cultivates a highly skilled workforce.

• Invite industries that operate in a sustainable or environmentallyfriendly manner.

• Attract green-based industries and businesses that complement existing industries around the region.

• Support community partners in developing the city’s workforce in a way that meets the needs of existing and potential industry.

• With a thriving downtown, promote further growth around the square and along corridors to and from the square.

• Attract tourists and the film industry into our community.

• Support new business and industries operating within our community.

Housing (H)

• Establish diverse housing options in the downtown area and quality housing throughout the city.

• Work with public and private partners to encourage the development of quality, multi-tiered housing at various price points for all members of the community.

• Support the Covington Housing Authority and other non-profit organizations to redevelop and revitalize target areas within our community.