Controversial annexation request will return to City Council agenda Tuesday
News January 18, 2021
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – City Council will revisit a request by B&K Turner Family, LLC. to annex 70.808 acres along Perimeter Road for a 124-lot residential subdivision when it meets in a combined work session and regular meeting Tuesday at 5 p.m. at City Hall.
On Dec. 17, the Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 to request the City withdraw the request and on Jan. 6, the Board’s Attorney Angela Davis notified the City and the Department of Community Affairs of its legal and land use objections and requested an Arbitration Panel.
The City Planning Commission initially heard the annexation request on Sept. 14, 2020 and again on Nov. 9.
In other business, Dr. Lawrece Kulish, MD, is expected to be appointed to the Dawson County Board of Health.
Council will consider a special event permit for an exhibit by NASCAR’s Chase Elliott on Feb. 1 from 6:30 pm until 11:30 pm in the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, 415 Highway 54 East.
Council will also consider recommendation to increase the rental rates for certain city-owned properties.
In the past, the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame has rented for $100 per month. The recommendation is to raise that amount to between $500 and $1,000 with a requirement that all events held outside the venue receive a special event permit.
The Distillery, which has rented for $2,778 per month could be increased to $3,500
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Edna Noblin Road abandonment tabled for now
News November 8, 2020
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – Approximately two-thirds of last week’s hour-long Board of Commissioners voting session was devoted to a discussion of the possible abandonment of Edna Noblin Road with one speaker in favor of the abandonment and one opposed.
The isolated road off Ga. 400 has a long history of being a dump site and residents complain of frequent illegal drug use and other illegal activity.
Some of the adjacent property owners want a locked gate placed on Edna Noblin to prevent such activity with only property owners having the key. Others say that could reduce the value of their property.
Roy Roberts said he and his brothers own five lots along the road and they object to abandonment.
But David Gee said, “All we’re asking is that we can put a gate up there to try to curb some of this activity. State Police have caught people out with drugs out there.” Gee said they have also found needles, dead animals, couches, tires and even an entire shed.
The county cannot place a gate on a public road, which is the reason some want it abandoned.
County Attorney Angela Davis suggested the two sides work out a right-of-way access agreement acceptable to both then return to the Board to proceed with a vote to abandon.
The Board then voted to table the issue to an unspecified future date.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a request to rezone 15.027 acres on Carlisle Road from Residential Agriculture to Commercial Industrial Restricted for the purpose of building office space and a warehouse for Litefighter Systems, LLC. The public hearing was held last month.
The Board also approved a special event license application for a Because Coffee event.
Commissioners read a proclamation declaring Nov. 5, 2020 Dr. Larry Anderson Day in Dawson County in recognition of countless hours Dr. Anderson has given to Dawson County and its citizens.
By a unanimous vote, Seth Stowers was appointed as the District 1 alternate on the Planning Commission.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Walden replaces Jason Power on City Council
News January 9, 2020
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – The Dawsonville City Council started the New Year by welcoming its newest member, John Walden, to the Monday meeting. Walden replaces former Post 3 Councilman Jason Power who did not run for reelection.
Council unanimously approved Sachinkumar Patel’s has petitioned to annex into the city limits of Dawsonville 5 Acres located at 60 Hwy 136 East and to rezone from County Zoning of Residential Exurban/Agricultural to City Zoning of Highway Business.
A motion by Councilman Caleb Phillips to postpone a decision on the Fall Leaf Residential, LLC request to rezone 25.7 acres on Hwy.53 East across from City Hall, from Restricted Industrial to Multi Family Residential and one acre at the same location from Restricted Industrial to Central Business District was unanimously approved until a called meeting Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. Fall Leaf Residential withdrew its appeal of a Planning Commission decision to deny a request for a variance to the minimum lot width from 28 to 20 feet.
Council then held a first reading of an ordinance to provide a method of adopting and enacting rules and regulations concerning conduct and activities at all City Public Parks and facilities and penalties for violations of the ordinance.
City Attorney Dana Miles provided a review of a proposed Gravel Road Development Ordinance that he said, “Allows a different option for a potential development of mid- to large size lots that we don’t have in the downtown area.”
Under the Consent Agenda, Council approved:
Minutes of the work session and regular meeting of Dec. 6;
Minute of the executive session of Dec. 6, 2019;
Renewal of the IT service contract for 2020;
Amendment to the agreement for construction of Farmer’s Market;
Bid selection of Perimeter Road sidewalk construction.
Former Councilman Jason Power was honored for his eight years’ service on city council.
Sara Beacham was selected Employer of the month, quarter and year.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
500 new residential units on planning commission agenda
News November 18, 2019
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Zoning requests on Tuesday’s (Nov. 19) Planning Commission meeting could add as many as 260 townhomes and 240 detached dwellings to Dawson County if they are ultimately approved by the Board of Commissioners. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Dawson County Government Center Assembly Room, 25 Justice Way.
Planning Director Jameson Kinley said Monday that Ridgeline Land Planning, LLC is requesting property near the intersection of Lumpkin Campground Road and Hwy. 53 be rezoned from Commercial Highway Business to Commercial Highway Business and Residential Multi Family to accommodate a 140-unit attached townhome community.
Also Jim King has requested 78 acres at Kilough Church Road and Ga. 400 be rezoned from Residential Agricultural to Residential Multi Family to accommodate 120 townhomes and 240 detached dwellings. King has also requested that 40 adjacent acres be rezoned from Residential Agricultural to Commercial Highway Business.
In other business before the Planning Commission, Bentley Corners, LLC is requesting a rezoning of 1.679 acres of property located at Elliott Family Parkway from Residential Agricultural to Residential Sub-Rural.
Pacific Group, Inc. is requesting zoning stipulations update of 98 acres of property located at Dawson Forest Road West from previous zoning approvals.
Jeffrey Cahill is requesting a rezoning of 17.15 acres located at Auraria Road from Residential Agricultural to Residential Rural Estate.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
150-unit towhhome development on city council agenda
News November 17, 2019
Dawsonville, Ga. — The Dawsonville City Council will hear a rezoning request from Fall Leaf Residential, LLC when it meets Monday that could add 140 new townhomes to the city along Hwy. 53.
Fall Leaf Residential, LLC has requested 25.7 acres be rezoned from Restricted Industrial to Multi Family Residential to accommodate the townhome development. The request includes a variance that would reduce the minimum lot size from 28 feet to 20 feet.
Fall Leaf has also submitted a companion request to rezone one acre from Restricted Industrial to Central Business District for a small business on the site.
Ray Strychalski will present information to the council on the amphitheater at Main Street Park.
Under the Consent Agenda, council is expected to approve a contract with Johnson Paving for paving Maple Heights Subdivision at a cost of $153,251.
Council is also expected to approve an agreement with Georgia Mountains Regional Commission (GMRC) for developing city design guidelines. GMRC will hold several public information meetings, create a GIS map and conduct an electronic survey to gather public input.
Council will hold a second reading of an ordinance to provide a method for approving training opportunities for members of all boards, authorities and commissions. The ordinance would also provide for payment of reimbursement of actual expenses incurred for training opportunities and attendance at meetings.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
City council set to adopt FY 2019-20 budget
News June 2, 2019
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. –Dawsonville City Council is set to approve a resolution to adopt the $7,006,090 FY 2019-2020 budget during the regular meeting Monday (June 3) at 5:30 p.m. in the G.L. Gilleland Council Chambers.
The general fund revenue and expenditures are balanced at $2,174,484. SPLOST VI revenue is projected to be $1,812,812, an increase of approximately $425,000 from last year. The council held the first public hearing on May 20.
Plans for the city’s proposed farmer’s market are expected to take a giant step forward if council approve Magnum Contracting, LLC’s bid to build the facility. Magnum submitted the low bid of $852,380 to construct the 7,500 square foot facility that includes a pavilion 34 parking spaces, picnic area, playground and restrooms.
The property is located between the city municipal complex and Dawson County Junior High School.
In other business, council will consider approval of:
An agreement with the Amicalola Farmer’s Market;
An agreement with the Chamber of Commerce for FY 2019-2020;
A request to waive the permit fees for the Dawsonville Annual Fireworks Event;
Postponement of appointments to the Ethics Board until August 5.
There are also a number of annexation requests on the council agenda, including:
A request by Dan S. and Vanita L. Anderson to annex into the city limits a portion of the 12.19-acre tract at 378 Shoal Creek Road, with a request to rezone from County Zoning of RA (Residential Exurban/Agriculture) to City Zoning of R1 (Single Family Residential). Council held a public on March 18;
A request by James E. Bottoms to annex into the city the 80-acre tract located at Cleve Wright Road, with a request to rezone from County Zoning of RA (Residential Exurban/Agriculture) to City Zoning of RA (Restricted Agriculture). Council held a public hearing on May 20;
A petition to annex property located at 551 Gold Bullion Drive West into the city, with a request to rezone from County Zoning of RPC (Residential Planned Community) to City Zoning of PUD (Planned Unit Development). Council held a public hearing on 20;
There are also several rezoning requests on the agenda, including:
Ensite Civil Consulting LLC’s request for a zoning amendment on 38.58 acres located at 592 Hwy 53 West, from R-3 (Single Family) to RPC (Residential Planned Community). Council held a public hearing on April 22. A decision was postponed at the applicant’s request until June 3.
Ensite Civil Consulting LLC’s appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to deny a density variance for property located at 592 Hwy 53 West;
Mostafa Elahy’s request for an amendment to the zoning stipulations for 9.14 acres located at 280 Maple Street South;
Larry Lowman’s request for a zoning amendment on a 5-acre portion of property located at Reece Road and Elliott Family Parkway, from R1 (Single Family Residential) to LI (Light Industrial). Council held a public hearing on May 20.
Council will also vote on rules and regulations governing the use of city hall meeting rooms. The cost to rent council chambers for half a day is proposed at $150. The smaller Joe Lane Cox room is expected to be set at $125 for half a day.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Rezoning request postponed until April meeting
News March 13, 2019
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Dawson Village Partners, LLC rezoning request that was scheduled to go before the Dawson County Planning Commission on March 19, will be postponed until the next meeting in April.
Dawson Partners, LLC is proposing a massive mixed use village to be located on a 974-acre site at the northwest corner of the intersection of Lumpkin Campground Road and Ga. 400 west, crossing the Etowah River and reaching Etowah River Road.
Developers are awaiting the results of a development of regional impact (DRI) study being conducted by the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission before moving forward.
DRIs are large-scale developments that are likely to have regional effects beyond the local government jurisdiction in which they are located. The Georgia Planning Act of 1989 authorized the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to establish procedures for review of these large-scale projects.
These procedures are designed to improve communication between affected governments and to provide a means of revealing and assessing potential impacts of large-scale developments before conflicts relating to them arise.
At the same time, local government autonomy is preserved since the host government maintains the authority to make the final decision on whether a proposed development will or will not go forward.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com