Comprehensive Plan

About the Comprehensive Plan

Planning is one of the fundamental responsibilities of local government. It is the process communities use to thoughtfully guide growth, development, and the future of the places where people live, work, and gather.

In Georgia, the results of this planning process are documented in what is called a Comprehensive Plan. This long-range plan helps a community identify its priorities and establish a shared vision for the future.

For the City of Lilburn, the Comprehensive Plan provides citywide guidance on topics such as land use, transportation, housing, economic development, and community character. The plan helps the city think proactively about how Lilburn should grow and evolve in the years ahead.

A well-developed Comprehensive Plan helps the community:

  • Maintain and improve quality of life

  • Establish a clear vision for the future

  • Protect private property rights

  • Encourage and support economic development

  • Provide greater predictability about where and how development may occur

In Georgia, state law requires local governments to prepare and maintain a Comprehensive Plan. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) provides guidance and resources to help communities complete this work and ensure consistency and coordination across the state.

Most importantly, the Comprehensive Plan is shaped by community input. Feedback from residents, businesses, and stakeholders helps identify priorities and ensures the plan reflects the values and goals of the people who call Lilburn home.

Comprehensive Plan Schedule

In Georgia, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) establishes the schedule that local governments follow for preparing and updating their Comprehensive Plans. Communities are typically required to review and update their plans on a five-year cycle to ensure that planning policies reflect current conditions and community priorities.

The City of Lilburn’s previous schedule called for a Comprehensive Plan update in 2024. As discussions began, the Mayor and Council determined that additional community input would be beneficial before completing a full update. As a result, the City initiated a mid-cycle Comprehensive Plan effort to gather more feedback and refine the community’s vision for the future.

This mid-cycle planning process is expected to conclude in 2026. The City’s next full Comprehensive Plan update is currently scheduled to begin in 2029, in accordance with the state’s planning cycle.

While both planning efforts help guide Lilburn’s future, they serve different purposes:
 
 Comprehensive Plan
  • Covers the entire city
 • Provides long-range guidance for land use, transportation, housing, and growth
 • Helps inform future zoning and development decisions

 Downtown Master Concept
  • Focuses specifically on Old Town 
 • Explores design concepts, mobility, traffic flow, public spaces, and redevelopment opportunities
 • Creates a shared vision for one specific area of the city

Together, these planning efforts work hand in hand — the Comprehensive Plan establishes the citywide framework, while the Downtown Master Concept explores ideas and opportunities specifically for Old Town Lilburn.