Dawsonville will apply for GEFA grant to install solar panels at wastewater facility

Business

Finance Admin Robin Gazaway

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Monday’s City Council meeting lasted just over one hour and required only a single vote.

Finance Administrator Robin Gazaway informed Council of a grant opportunity available through the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority that could pay up to $200,000 to local governments that install solar panels.

Council members discussed the possibility of placing the panels at City Hall and the waste water treatment facility. But there is a timing issue. The roof at City Hall is in poor condition and needs to be replaced before it would be suitable for the installation. The deadline for applying for the grant is next week. Also, the work needs to be completed by September to qualify for the grant.

Council then voted unanimously in favor of applying for the grant for installation at the waste water treatment facility.

Council also held two public hearings, one on a zoning issue, the other a variance request by the same applicant. Saara Mariah Qureshi has requested a zoning change on his property on Tract B located on Perimeter Road from Residential 1 to Highway Business.

Qureshi has also asked for a variance on a side setback from 40 feet to 30 feet and a buffer reduction from 30 feet to 10 feet.

Amy Mulberry, who lives next door to the Qureshi property and Jesus Fernandez spoke in opposition to the applications.

Mulberry expressed her concern about a retention pond on the property that could attract mosquitos, traffic congestion and a potentially negative impact on property values.

This was the first public hearing on the issue. Council will  hold a second public hearing at the next meeting on Mar 15.

John Walden recused himself from both hearings.

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