WR Council approves Sustainability Plan

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Robins Air Force Base is not just a base that sits on the edge of town in this community. It is a part of the city’s identity, and by extension, it is one of the many parts that make the sum total of the phrase, “Middle Georgia.”

During World War II, Robins Air Force Base kick-started the development of a town that used to go by the name of Wellston. It has been here ever since, acting as the largest single-facility employer in the state of Georgia, and in part, giving Warner Robins multiple nicknames: “The International City” to some, and to others, the “Home of Planes, Trains and Heroes.”

And since its placement here, the City of Warner Robins has been fighting for the base to stay, working to make its city and the area around it viable for the continued mission at Robins Air Force Base, fighting back against the churning force of Base Realignment and Closure.

On Monday, Nov. 21, Warner Robins Mayor and Council were presented a Robins Air Force Base Sustainability Plan that will help ensure the future of the base in Warner Robins. The plan includes things such as communication and coordination between the base and surrounding municipalities, education and continued efforts to fight encroachment and the performance of studies over things like housing and the viability of transportation networks leading into the base.

Mayor and council gathered at 4:30 p.m. in the Carolyn Robbins room at City Hall to hold their usual pre-council meeting. After some initial discussion regarding various annexations and rezonings on the agenda, council heard a presentation from the group who has worked to develop this sustainability plan: the Middle Georgia Regional Commission. Executive Director Laura Mathis, Director of Public Administration Greg Boike and 21st Century Partnership Chief Operations Officer Dan Rhoades presented the plan.

“What are all the various things that need to continue being addressed in the Middle Georgia community around Robins Air Force Base so that we can continue to keep Robins as strong in Middle Georgia as possible, and so that we can do everything to support the base as is possible?” Boike asked. “That means we get to talk about new topics such as transportation in more detail, about the environment, in addition to talking about land use, air space and economic and community development, and how the workforce, for example, of Middle Georgia ties into Robins Air Force Base.”

Rhoades addressed some specific issues addressed in the plan, including housing, healthcare and a strong education system.

“That all goes into what the Air Force is calling ‘Support of Military Families,’” Rhoades explained. “These are the types of things they’re going to be looking at to ensure that communities [are supporting] their military families in the future.”

Boike added to Rhoades’ comment.

“The main goal, at this point, is to focus on coordination and planning efforts that look at building a more resilient and more thriving community at large,” Boike said.

According to documentation provided by MGRC at the meeting, the goals of this plan, from the community perspective, are as follows:

“Protect the health, safety and welfare of residents and maintain their quality of life; ensure the compatible development in the vicinity of the installation that will not interfere with continuing existing and possible future operations of the facilities; provide for sustainable growth in an economically, environmentally and socially conscious manner; maintain the economic vitality of the community; [and] enhance communication between the community and the military.”

Meanwhile, from a military perspective, the goals of this plan are to promote the health, safety and welfare of the military and civilian personnel living and working at or near the installation; ensure the ability of installation to achieve its mission, maintain military readiness and support national defense objectives; [and] preserve the ability of the installation to adjust or expand its mission.”

According to the provided documentation, this plan contains a multitude of recommendations to help guide community development so it remains compatible with military training, testing and operational missions, and so that those living in the area and working on base can continue to see economic development, public and general welfare.

Some of those recommendations include:

– Expanding communication between the base by developing a communication manual, developing a plan to implement energy storage technology, developing a “strategic security plan” for future computers and IT systems and develop a system for RAFB to review projects that could affect light pollution.

– Establish committees such as a RAFB Security Working Group with local law enforcement to discuss security concerns and regional working group to address housing issues; and create a “liaison for current transit providers” to assist those attempting to enter the base.

– A number of activities to ensure the sustainability of the environment surrounding the base and Middle Georgia, including supporting the creation of a new national park and preserve unit along the Ocmulgee River, several stormwater system implementations, increased electric vehicle charging stations as well as continued efforts to improve the area’s air quality and support of alternative transportation and ridesharing.

– Educational materials to educate the community on how to reduce frequency interferences, and continued monitoring of the groundwater for pollutants.

– A number of policy changes to allow RAFB to provide input on development-related applications, a regional guide for the development of missing middle housing, overhead signage designating installation gates and much more.

– Take on policies and processes to assist local government in achieving these goals, including programs to protect land near the installation, public-private partnerships for the possibility of future gates, and “develop a plan to use natural methods to mitigate the effects of climate change.”

– Additional studies and projects on topics such as transit, housing, education, the environment and much more.

During their regular mayor and council meeting, the Sustainability Plan was passed unanimously.

Councilman Clifford Holmes, a member of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission, told The Journal he was thankful for the many people who have continuously worked to develop this plan for a number of years.

“I think now, it’s going to get even more people involved, it’s going to get more organizations involved,” Holmes said. “That base is the hub, and we’ve got to take care of those people if we’re going to continue to be the largest employee in the state, certainly in this area.”

Mayor LaRhonda Patrick also spoke after the meeting, voicing the city’s support.

“The City of Warner Robins stands full in support behind Middle Georgia Regional Commissioner, 21st Century Partnership and also Robins Air Force Base,” Patrick said. “Whatever they need, we stand behind them ready to serve. When it comes to resolving the encroachment issues within our city, we are completely behind that. Any initiative when it comes to housing, healthcare for our airmen, our military service members, our civilian workforce — the city stands behind them ready to support.”

For more information of the Sustainability Plan published by Middle Georgia Regional Commission, go to robinsafbsp.com.

Other items on the agenda included several rezoning and annexation requests. Following an executive session, the meeting was adjourned.

The agenda and supporting documents for this meeting can be found at the city’s website, or by going to wrga.gov/agendacenter. Mayor and council’s meetings are typically scheduled on the first and third Monday of each month, exclusive of federal holidays.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 5. Pre-council will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Carolyn Robbins Room at City Hall. The regular council meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the same building.

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