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REGULAR CITY OF DAHLONEGA COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 7, 2006
CALL TO ORDER:
The Dahlonega City Council met in regular session at City Hall on August 7,
2006. Council members present were Michael Clemons, Gerald Lord, Sam Norton,
Terry Peters and Bill Scott. Mayor Gary McCullough called the meeting to order
at 6: 10 pm. Mayor McCullough opened the meeting with prayer and requested
everyone to stand and repeat the Pledge to the American Flag.
PUBLIC HEARING-WALLACE GROUP-ANNEXATION/REZONING:
A Public Hearing was held concerning a rezoning and annexation request submitted
by the Wallace Group. This property is located on Highway 9. They are requesting
that 83 acres be annexed and zoned R3. Chet Tischer spoke representing the
Wallace Group. He advised that the current use of the property is residential.
They are requesting R-3 to obtain more flexibility in lot size and width which
is not available in the R-2 zoning classification. The maximum density will be
1.8 units per acre. Water and sewer are available. Mr. Tischer displayed
pictures showing the types of houses that will be constructed and advised that
the homes would be sold for the high $100,000 and lower $200,000.
City Attorney Doug Parks asked if any citizens wished to speak in favor of the
requests. No citizens spoke in favor of the requests.
City Attorney Doug Parks asked if any citizens wished to speak against the
requests. Mel Hawkins advised that he is an adjoining property owner. He
expressed concerns about traffic congestion and noise. He also expressed
concerns about 150 homes being constructed in a small area. Carol Williams also
advised that she is an adjoining property owner. Ms. Williams stated that the
development has a potential for a negative place. She stated that a date for the
hearings was not listed on the rezoning sign posted on the property. She also
stated that the fire chief was not informed of the proposed project. Ms.
Williams stated that she had real concerns of who would buy the houses. She
recommended that the zoning be R-2 to benefit both Dahlonega and Lumpkin County
citizens. Perry Abernathy advised that low income houses are not desirable. A
house constructed on one acre can be expanded whereas houses that are
constructed too close cannot be expanded.
City Attorney Doug Parks asked for staff recommendations. Planning Director
Chris Head advised that the hearings were advertised in the paper. There were
two zoning signs posted on the property. One of the signs did not have dates
posted but that was corrected. The fire chief will be notified when the plans
are completed. The Dahlonega Planning and Zoning Commission recommend that the
zoning be R3 with the condition that the homes be single family site built homes
with a minimum floor area of 1,000 sq. ft. There is no recommendation from
staff but the property could be zoned as R-2 with variances. The use of the
property would be compatible with county land use plans.
Mayor McCullough advised that the smallest house will be 1300 sq. ft. Michael
Clemons stated that a zoning classification of R-2 also allows multi-family
including town homes. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve the
request to annex and zone as R-2 with conditions. The motion was seconded by
Bill Scott. Terry Peters asked about completion dates. Mr. Tischer advised
that the engineering would take approximately 90 days and they would then come
back to the city for a land disturbance permit and begin construction. It will
take approximately six months to complete the first phase of construction and
begin to market the homes. Mr. Tischer stated that twelve acres will be left as
green space and will not be developed. Each home will be built with a two-car
garage which is not included in the square footage. Bill Scott pointed out that
the city's sewer lift station which serves this area will need to have a
generator as a back up power source. Mr. Tischer advised that the Wallace Group
would be willing to participate in a share of the cost for the generator. Sam
Norton stated that he is concerned about the house design but his main concern
is his reservation about variances that would be needed for an R-2 zoning. He
recommended that the request be tabled for further study. Terry Peters also
advised that the council has never annexed property as an R-2 or R-3. Dale
Steenbergan stated that the city needs housing of this type. Michael Clemons
asked for assurance that the land would not be cleared and not developed
for several years. Bill Scott asked that the motion be amended to include the
condition that a generator will be purchased by the Wallace Group and the zoning
is R-2 with conditions. The motion was approved with the above amendment.
Voting for the motion were Scott, Lord and Clemons. Terry Peters and Sam Norton
voted against the motion. City Attorney Doug Parks advised that the Wallace
group would be required to submit an application for variances that would be
required under the R-2 zoning. The Public Hearing was closed. .
MINUTE
APPROVAL:
A motion was made by Sam Norton to approve the minutes of the Council Meeting
held July 6, 2006. This motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all
members present. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to approve the minutes of the
special meeting held on July 7, 2006. This motion was seconded by Gerald Lord
and approved by all members present. A motion was made by Gerald Lord to approve
the minutes of the special meeting July 17, 2006. This motion was seconded by
Sam Norton and approved by all members present. A motion was made by Michael
Clemons to approve the minutes of the special meeting held July 26, 2006. This
motion was seconded by Bill Scott. Gerald Lord asked for one correction to these
minutes changing West Main Street to South Chestatee Street. The motion was
approved with this change.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Mayor McCullough advised that reports have been received from the City Planning
and Code Enforcement Departments for the month of July, 2006. A report has also
been received from the Dahlonega Historical Preservation Commission for the
month of July, 2006. Chamber Director Dale Steenbergan advised that the Business
Expo has been completed. He reported that it was a vel)' successful event with
sixty vendors participating. The Chamber has been working on plans for the Old
Fashioned Christmas Festival and also working on the ice skating rink. Mr.
Steenbergan announced that Constance Thomas recently passed away. Mrs. Thomas
worked for the Chamber of Commerce thirty-three years. The Chamber plans to
dedicate a memorial in her memory during the Old Fashioned Christmas events. The
Nature Conservancy is working on water issues that may have an effect on North
Georgia. Mr. Steenbergan stated that this group is not looking out for the
interest of area citizens. He also reported that the Gold Museum had the largest
attendance in history recently. Gerald Lord recommended that the Gold Museum
stay open past 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Mayor McCullough advised that Chamber
membership has increased tremendously.
RESOLUTION 2006-5:
City Attorney Doug Parks advised that a Public Hearing was conducted concerning
the abandonment of certain sections of the roads known as Church Street, Maple
Street and also an unnamed street. Gerald Lord excused himself from voting
concerning this matter. A motion was made by Sam Norton to approve the attached
Resolution 2006-5 to approve the abandonment of the streets. The motion was
seconded by Michael Clemons and approved by the following vote count: Voting for
the motion were Norton. Clemons, and Peters. Bill Scott voted against the
motion.
FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2006-5-ANNEXATION:
A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve the first reading of Ordinance
2006-5-Annexation of property owned by the Wallace Group which is located on
Highway 9. This motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by the following
vote count: Voting for the motion was Lord, Norton, Clemons and Peters. Terry
Peters voted against the motion.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
City Manager Bill Lewis submitted a FY 06 Budget Calendar to the Mayor and
Council. The first meeting will be needed this week to discuss budget issues.
The council agreed to meet Thursday, August 10 at 10:00 a.m. Mayor McCullough
asked that the meeting also include discussion concerning ordinance updates.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS:
Mayor
Gary McCullough announced that the 48th Brigade Welcome Home Celebration will be
held August 28 at the NGCSU Drill Field. The Governor will be there and a
Proclamation will be presented. The celebration will begin at 4:00 p.m.
Mayor
McCullough advised that he was very disappointed that the city paid Georgia
Trend Magazine $4,000 for an ad featuring Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, and White
County. Dahlonega did not get very much coverage.
COUNCIL'S COMMENTS:
Bill
Scott announced that Gerald Lord's son Jonathan will be going to Iraq for a
one-year tour of duty. Mayor McCullough asked everyone to pray for all who are
serving in Iraq and also to pray for peace in the Middle East.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS:
Angela Wilson advised that merchants plan to decorate the square for Veteran's
Day celebration to be held November 11. The decorations will be put up on Friday
and taken down the following Monday. Ms. Wilson was advised that this should be
included in the Permit. Ms. Wilson also advised that she had been contacted by
the Golden Classic Car Club. They want to come back to the square September
through October of this year. They have advised that they will wait for a parked
car to move before they occupy the space on the square. Ms. Wilson stated that
she would take responsibility to see that the group follows city regulations.
Council members advised that a permit should be obtained and no sales should
take place along with no amplified music.
ADJOURNMENT:
The
meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
APPROVED BY ME THIS DAY OF ,2006.
MAYOR
Attest:
CITY CLERK
_____________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL CITY OF DAHLONEGA COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 6,2006
The Dahlonega City Council met in special session on August 6, 2006. The
meeting was held at the Yahoola Creek Reservoir on Morrison Moore Connector.
Council members present were Michael Clemons, Gerald Lord, Sam Norton, Bill
Scott, and Terry Peters. Mayor Gary McCullough called the meeting to order at
5:10 p.rn.
The Dahlonega City Council met with the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners.
A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve Mayor McCullough signing the
attached Reservoir Intergovernmental Agreement. This motion was seconded by
Gerald Lord and approved by all members present. Steve Gooch, Chairman of the
Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners also signed the attached document. Lumpkin
County Commission Members approved this action taken at a previously held
meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
APPROVED BY ME THIS DAY OF ,2006
MAYOR
Attest:
CITY CLERK |
