Hickory Flat Area Plan Relaunching, Public Input Sought

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — The Cherokee County Planning Department wants to hear from county and city residents and businesses in the Hickory Flat area to imagine the future of development in the area.

The Hickory Flat Area Plan encompasses the core of Hickory Flat, which is roughly a 2-mile radius from the intersection of Hickory Flat Highway and East Cherokee Drive. The study area includes more than 3,600 acres, of which 500 acres is located in the City of Holly Springs.

Principal Planner Margaret Stallings and Senior Planner Chris Luly reintroduced the plan to the Board of Commissioners at their Oct. 6 regular work session, explaining the new approach to the input process.

Luly said the planning department intends to hold two-week window virtual meetings that allow
residents and business owners to give their input in a virtual platform. Live meetings will not be held, however, interested parties should utilize the project website, www.hickoryflatareaplan.com, to provide feedback or contact Chris Luly directly at celuly@cherokeega.com or 678-493-6110.

“Hickory Flat residents and businesses have the opportunity to share their vision of what Hickory Flat will look like over the next 20 years,” Stallings said. “This is your opportunity to tell the county what you want to see in the area. We conducted similar public input meetings in the southwest area of the county, which told the county those residents wanted parks. Now, we are working with the community to develop the type of parks they want in their area.”

The goal of the plan is to start with a blank slate and work with community members to create a long-term plan. Input meetings began in January, however, COVID-19 and related state orders forced the process to pause.

Currently, the two-week input periods are set for Oct. 21-Nov. 4, Dec. 2-Dec. 16 and Jan. 13-27. The website will launch Oct. 21. For more information, visit www.hickoryflatareaplan.com.