REGULAR CITY OF DAHLONEGA COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2006

CALL TO ORDER:

The Dahlonega City Council met in regular session on December 11, 2006 at City Hall. Council members present were Michael Clemons, Gerald Lord, Bill Scott and Terry Peters. Mayor Gary McCullough opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. with prayer and asked everyone to stand for the Pledge to the American Flag.

 A plaque was presented to Randy Harvey for his service to the Dahlonega Downtown

Development Authority. Mr. Harvey served on the DDA for sixteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey were thanked for their service to Dahlonega and Lumpkin County over the last twenty years. Golden Nail Awards were presented for the Better Home Town Program. Jay Stone received the award for the Hall Block Building and Roberta Green received the award for the Butler Mini-Mall.

 PUBLIC HEARINGS:

City Attorney Doug Parks conducted a public hearing concerning a rezoning application submitted by Roberta Green. Barbara Bridges presented the request to remove the conditions for B-2 zoning for property located at the intersection of North Grove Street and Wimpy Mill Road. The property was rezoned previously to B-2 but was conditional upon the use of the property being maintained as a used car business only. Ms. Bridges advised that Ms. Green wants to utilize the property for other business purposes. Mr. Parks asked for public comment. No comments were made but Planning Director Chris Head advised that the adjoining property owner, Jean Costello, sent a letter opposing the change due to the fact that the buffer requirements have never been met for the existing use of the property. Terry Peters stated that a zoning classification of CBD might be more appropriate. A motion was made by Bill Scott to postpone the decision to remove the condition until the property owner can be consulted about rezoning to CBD. This motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all members present.

 A public hearing was conducted concerning the City of Dahlonega's request to rezone property located at 147 North Park Street. The property was recently purchased from the Lumpkin County Board of Education and was zoned as R-l. The property would be rezoned to CBD. No comments were made by citizens. A motion was made by Terry Peters to rezone the property to CBD. This motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all members present. 

MINUTE APPROVAL:

A motion was made by Gerald Lord to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting held November 6, 2006. This motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by all members present. A motion was made by Bill Scott to approve the minutes of the special council meeting held November 20, 2006. This motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all members present.

CITIZENS:

The council was informed that John Kockinski has purchased Buster's Restaurant. The managing agent is Brian Jon Ruggiero. Background checks indicate no records and all paperwork has been completed to approve the beer, wine and distilled spirits license. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve the license. The motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all members present.

 Dana LaChance advised that she wishes to appeal the Historic Commission's decision on November 15, 2006 regarding the sign application for the Crimson Moon Cafe. Ms. LaChance explained that the sign hung perpendicularly to the building and was directly over the pedestrian walkway. The original sign was approved during a meeting several years prior to 1he eight foot ordinance being adopted. Ms. LaChance asked for a variance for the height at which the sign had been approved to hang before. Mayor McCullough advised that the council is trying to avoid granting any variances and recommended that the sign confonn to present regulations. A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve this recommendation. The motion was seconded by Bill Scott and approved by the following vote count: Voting for the motion were Scott, Clemons and Lord. Terry Peters voted against the motion. 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Mayor McCullough advised that reports have been submitted by the Dahlonega Planning and Code Enforcement Departments, Dahlonega Historic Preservation Commission and Chamber of Commerce concerning activities of those departments for the month of November, 2006.

 BANK LOAN RESOLUTIONS:

A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve the attached Resolution to renew loan documents with United Community Bank for 2007 in the amount of $400,000. The original loan was used to assist with financing to purchase property from the LC. Board of Education. The motion was seconded by Michael Clemons and approved by all members present. A motion was made by Terry Peters to approve the attached Resolution to renew loan documents with United Community Bank for 2007 in the amount of $300,000 and for an additional $1,200,000. These funds will be used for interim financing for the construction of a new water treatment plant. The motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all members present.

 FIRST READING AMENDMENT 19-Z0NING ORDINANCE 91-1:

A motion was made by Michael Clemons to approve the first reading of Amendment 19 to Zoning Ordinance 91-1. This motion was seconded by Gerald Lord and approved by all members present. City Attorney Doug Parks advised that this amendment addresses procedures for public hearings and specifies time limits for less than ten minutes to make presentations.