Thunderbolt

							Thunderbolt

Population element
   1. the lowest growth rate in the County, second smallest absolute growth-is expected
      to grow but at much smaller rates than other areas of the county and the state
   2. smaller household size than either Chatham County or the State.
   3. population figures skewed by large resident college population
   4. increase in black population, decrease in white population. Increase in all other
      racial groups as well. Thunderbolt's overall non-white percentages exceed those
      of both Chatham County and the state
   5. By 1990 the city still had the lowest median income except for Savannah and
      Garden City, although its percentage increase was the sixth highest in the county.
   6. By 1990 the city's per capita income had fallen below all other communities in the
      county and its percentage increase was the lowest in the County.
   7. need to provide additional multi-family units
   8. need to provide language skills and cultural acclimatization

Economic Development
section same as county

Natural and Historic Resources Element

section same as county (cut and pasted)

   1. Special efforts are needed to protect the tree canopied streets.

Community Facilities
  1. The city should continue investigating the possibilities of extending water
     service to Armstrong Island (expansion of public infrastructure (water and
     sewer)
  3. The Thunderbolt Volunteer Fire Department has a need for a new truck
     and a facility for vehicle maintenance and storage
     (plan to build a new gov complex for both fire and police needs)
  4. need to make sure that all phases of the long range facilities plan for
     public schools are carried out

   Housing Element

   1. In the 1980-90 decade Thunderbolt was the only local municipality having a
      decreased number of occupied units and a negative growth rate.
   2. Thunderbolt had the third highest renter median cost in 1990
   3. 1990 census doesn’t account for mobile home park
   4. home ownership rates skewed by local college
   5. decline in homeownership (attributed to demand for multifamily uses and
      affordable housing as well as college)
   6. unstable local vacancy rates
Land Use Element

   1. no conservation areas are located within Thunderbolt
   2. Thunderbolt is one of the most intensely developed of the county’s municipalities.
      It is also one of the smallest in area.
   3. existing land use patterns predate the annexation of the Isle of Armstrong to the
      east and the Whatley Avenue area to the west (need to incorporate annexed land
      into land use maps)
   4. Changes have occurred in the land use pattern in parts of the city relatively
      recently.

       city has started experiencing industrial development-boat-building at the south
         end of the city’s waterfront within a marina/waterfront setting, these uses may
         impact adjacent neighborhoods
       commercial expansion into formerly residential areas
       intensification of commercial development within previously commercial
         districts
       introduction of higher density development into lower intensity areas
       development along the fringes of residential neighborhoods where transitional
         activities pose the greatest threat or opportunity.

   5. A significant portion of the county lies within a 100 year flood plain
   6. a number of substandard dwellings exist within Thunderbolt, there are a few areas
      which could be classified as blighted. Of these, the Thunderbolt Shell Road area
      is the most notable.
   7. A long term concern which needs to be addressed at some time is the potential for
      ground water pollution in a small area along the western border of the city, since
      the sand-based geology of the area reflects a high susceptibility to such pollution.
   8. need for additional zoning to accommodate demand for multi-family uses