CANTON, GA (Nov. 17, 2022) – Three intersection improvement projects received the go-ahead Tuesday following the approval of two standard construction services agreements.

At its Nov. 15 meeting, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $831,497 standard construction services agreement with low-bidder Wilson Construction Management for improvements to Ga. 140 at Scott Road and Ga. 140 at Avery Road. District 2 Commissioner Richard Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by District 2 Commissioner Benny Carter.

The projects are a result of the 2019 corridor study for Ga. 140, which recommended right turn lanes on both Scott and Avery Roads with their intersections with Ga. 140. As part of the construction services agreement, Wilson Construction Management will coordinate with the Georgia Department of Transportation related to its project that is adding two-way left turn lanes on Ga. 140 between Scott and Avery Roads.

The Board also approved a construction services agreement with low-bidder Baldwin Paving Company for intersection improvements at Kellogg Creek Road and Jacobs Road. The cost is $767,616. District 4 Commissioner Corey Ragsdale made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.

The intersection improvement project calls for re-aligning Kellogg Creek Road, creating a 90-degree intersection with Jacobs Road. The intent of the project is to improve sight distance issues at the currently skewed intersection.

The Board also…

RESCINDED AND REPLACED

Rescinded and replaced a 2003 tax abatement resolution relative to property known as the Mill at Etowah within the city of Canton Enterprise Zone. Unknown by the developer and the city’s economic development team during the initial tax abatement discussions, the original resolution limited the abatement to rental residential property.  No residential property has yet been developed on the site.  The developers instead proceeded with non-residential development in the good faith belief that the abatement of County M&O Tax would apply to it.  The Board voted 5-0 to rescind the 2003 resolution, with Chairman Harry Johnston making the motion and District 1 Commissioner Steve West seconding it.  The Board then voted 5-0 to approve a new resolution applying the County M&O Tax abatement to the currently completed non-residential property on the site, and only to that property.  Chairman Johnston also made that motion and Commissioner West seconded it. The 2022 County M&O Tax on the property is about $34,000.  The abatement covers it fully for four years and ramps down to no abatement over the subsequent five years.

APPROVED

Approved two separate items that settles a lawsuit related to a 59-home development on East Cherokee Drive. In 2021, the Board approved to rezone the property R-40 conservation with a long list of conditions, however the proposed buyer abandoned the project, and the property owner sued the county claiming the county was blocking the reasonable sale and development of the property. The settlement agreement with Scenic Summit Partners, the new developer, and modified zoning conditions will settle the case. The Board approved, 5-0, a settlement agreement with Scenic Summit Partners LLP with Commissioner West making the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.  The Board also approved, 5-0, variances and modification of conditions that includes buffer requirements and a roundabout to be installed at East Cherokee Drive and Mill Creek Drive. The developer is dedicating right of way for the project and contributing $150,000 toward the cost. Commissioner West made the motion to approve the modification of zoning conditions, which was seconded by Weatherby. The motion also included a minor language change editing the reference to Lot 17 in the site plan to Lots 48 and 49. An additional item was on the agenda referencing a developer agreement,however, action was not necessary since the zoning conditions included all items in that agreement.

APPROVED, 5-0

Approved, 5-0, minutes from the Nov. 1 work session, executive session and regular meeting. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.

HELD A PUBLIC HEARING

Held a public hearing for a Zoning Board of Appeals case. LSG Oldco LLC was seeking variances to two requirements under the Cherokee County Stream Buffer Protection Ordinance, which were denied by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Board of Commissioners approved the appeal with a 5-0 vote, which included additional information proffered by the applicant that he would target an additional 20 percent runoff reduction. Commissioner West made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.

POSTPONED, 5-0

Postponed, 5-0, SFG Properties, LLC request to rezone 11.82 acres from General Commercial to Light Industrial at 5883 Little Ridge Road. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter. The item is expected to be addressed at the Dec. 6 meeting.

APPROVED, 5-0

Approved, 5-0, modification of zoning conditions for St. Agnes Foundation of North Georgia Angel House, allowing them to add 10 container homes (“tiny homes”). The new conditions limit the applicant to 10 container homes and up to 36 residents. Commissioner West made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.

APPROVED, 5-0

Approved, 5-0, the consent agenda, which included: a lease agreement with a county employee for an existing house at the future Long Swamp Creek Recreation Area; acceptance of the annual Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $11,906 and a corresponding budget amendment for the Sheriff’s Office; a budget amendment in the amount of $66,310 to allocate federal grant funds on behalf of the Felony Drug Accountability Court; a budget amendment in the amount of $39,465 to allocate funds for the approved full-time case manager. This item is to correct wording from a vote at the Nov. 1 meeting; a Public Safety Secured Virtual Private Network renewal in the amount of $40,777.80; renewal of software for Emergency Management in the amount of $23,150; conditional acceptance for county maintenance of the existing private streets within the Villas at Mountain View subdivision; calling for a public hearing on Dec. 20 regarding modification of zoning conditions related to a 2000 approval at 7848 Cumming Highway; calling for a public hearing on Dec. 20 for a legacy lot request by Danny and Dianne Lawson; and calling for a public hearing on Dec. 20 regarding modification of zoning conditions requested by Lorraine Canada for AXIS Infrastructure, LLC. Commissioner Carter made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner West.

APPROVED, 5-0

Approved, 5-0, a software agreement with Tenex Software Solutions, Inc. on behalf of the Office of Elections & Voter Registration. The cost is $80,000 a year for three years. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.

APPROVED, 5-0

Approved, 5-0, a $50,000 salary supplement for the District Attorney. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner West.

APPROVED, 5-0

Approved, 5-0, a Professional Services Agreement with FireSide Natural Gas, LLC for the supply of natural gas to various county facilities. The expected amount is $889,522.79 for three years. Commissioner Carter made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Ragsdale.

APPROVED, 5-0

Approved, 5-0, a request from Fire & Emergency Services to cancel an order for nine Ford F-250’s from Alan Jay Fleet Sales approved in February 2022 due to a $123,993 price increase and long lead time. The motion also included purchase approval for seven Dodge Ram 2500’s from various dealerships for an overall price increase of $5,321.50. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.

APPROVED, 5-0

Approved, 5-0, the purchase of one Ford F-150 XL from Allan Vigil Ford for the Stormwater Department. The cost is $37,318. Commissioner Carter made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.

APPROVED, 5-0

Approved, 5-0, a resolution to transfer about 4,000 square feet of real property to North Canton Baptist Church, Inc. Commissioner West made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.

APPROVED, 5-0

Approved, 5-0, a Professional Services Agreement with TSW for design services for the first phases of two new northeast parks, Long Swamp Creek Recreation Area and Yellow Creek Road Conversation Area and Trails. The cost is $248,400. Commissioner Westmade the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.

APPROVED, 5-0

Approved, 5-0, a budget amendment in the amount of $62,907 for Probation Services to move funds from Probation fees to salaries for a new probation officer position. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.

APPROVED, 5-0

Approved, 5-0, an agreement for the county to sell a 0.64-acre tract at 824 Santa Fe Trail in the amount of $61,000 and the authorization for the county manager to execute the sales agreement on behalf of the county. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.

ABOUT CHEROKEE COUNTY

Located 30 miles north of downtown Atlanta, Cherokee County is part of the 11-county metro-Atlanta area. Cherokee County boasts a population of more than 279,000, according to the 2022 Atlanta Regional Commission population estimates. It is the one of the fastest growing counties in the metro region and its overall Board of Commissioners-controlled tax burden per capita is one of the lowest in the region. Cherokee County has world-class parks and recreational facilities, is a destination for corporate headquarters and is a great place to live, work and play. Cherokee County is the best of both worlds because it’s where “Metro Meets the Mountains.” Learn more at cherokeega.com.

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