The City of Opelika is launching a comprehensive, year-long public engagement and planning initiative titled Smart Growth Matters as part of its temporary development moratorium. This effort is designed to guide the city’s future growth while ensuring infrastructure, services, and community character are preserved and strengthened.
Over the next 12 months, the City will implement a structured plan focused on communications, community input, and data-driven decision-making. The initiative will include public meetings, workshops, regular progress reports, and ongoing communication through digital and in-person channels.
“This is an opportunity to take a thoughtful and proactive approach to Opelika’s growth,” said Mayor Eddie Smith. “We are committed to keeping residents informed, involved, and engaged every step of the way. It is our intention to stay on-time with the plan, knowing that we must remain flexible and fluid with a project this large.”
The Smart Growth Matters campaign will follow a monthly framework, beginning with a public launch and continuing through a final report and recommendations presented to City Council.
The initiative kicks off in May with a new webpage, social media outreach, and a community survey to gather initial feedback.
Throughout the summer, the City will focus on educating residents by sharing baseline data on growth trends and infrastructure capacity, along with hosting a community information meeting to explain the process and key challenges.
By late summer and early fall, efforts will shift toward infrastructure and growth, including updates on transportation, utilities, and road capacity, along with public workshops and informational videos.
In the fall and early winter, the City will evaluate quality of life, community services, and communication efforts. Residents will have multiple opportunities to provide feedback through surveys, reports, and a mid-year public open house.
The process will continue into early 2027 with a policy and planning review phase, where potential zoning updates and development standards will be shared and discussed with the public. Community workshops and stakeholder meetings will help shape future recommendations.
By March, the City will release draft recommendations for a long-term growth strategy and/or evaluate if there us a need for an extension. The initiative is planned to conclude in April with a final report and presentation to the Opelika City Council outlining next steps.
Focus Areas That Matter Most
Throughout the year, the City will provide updates and gather feedback on several key topics, including:
Infrastructure and utilities
Transportation and traffic improvements
Growth and development trends
Schools and community services
Quality of life and community character
Policies and development regulations
The Smart Growth Matters initiative is rooted in a commitment to accountability, and collaboration. By aligning infrastructure planning, policy updates, and community priorities, Opelika aims to create a sustainable roadmap for future growth.
