The staff in the Rome-Floyd County Planning Department is busy preparing a public performance of sort.

Five years after Floyd County and the cities of Rome and Cave Spring adopted a comprehensive plan that included a Community Work Program, the time has come for a check-up on how things are coming along.

Rome-Floyd Planning Director Sue Hiller went in front of the Rome City Commission, the Floyd County Commission and the Cave Spring City Council last week to inform all three elected boards that the process has begun.

“This is essentially a five-year snapshot to see how we are progressing,” Hiller said. “It took three years to do our comprehensive plan the first time and we don’t have to go through that process again until 2018.”

Through new rules adopted by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the five-year update is required.

This progress report will include a report of accomplishments as they relate to the goals and objectives set forth in the comprehensive plan.

Hiller said that the projects initiated by the program are different for each of the three entities involved. Some that have been finished include the new countywide emergency communications system, the Armuchee Connector and the completion of a walking trail in Rolater Park in Cave Spring.

Other things in the plan include ongoing goals to encourage redevelopment of blighted neighborhoods and more recreational opportunities.

Also getting a look is the joint comprehensive future land use map that was adopted in 2008 at the same time as the Community Work Program. The review is required to see if there are any changes that need to be made.

A 30-day public comment period is expected to begin in mid-April with documents available to be reviewed both online and at physical locations throughout the county that will be publicized.

A public meeting will be set for some point during that time and then the plan will be submitted to the state. The planning office will then get it back with any suggestions and complete the process by October.