(AUG. 15, 2023) -- Land adjacent to the fire station in the Free Home Community will be purchased at the beginning of 2024 for a future satellite office for the Tax Commissioner’s Office and additional parking for the community center.

At its Aug. 15 meeting, the Board of Commissioners approved, 5-0, purchasing 2.15 acres for $355,000 using Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds. Closing on the property is expected to occur after Jan. 1, 2024. District 1 Commissioner Steve West made the motion, which was seconded by District 2 Commissioner Richard Weatherby.

The additional land provides space for a satellite Tax Commissioner’s Office and expansion of the parking lot for the community center located inside Fire Station No. 4.

The County has identified a need for a temporary mobile location in the Free Home Community until a permanent facility can be constructed. SPLOST 2018 funding is covering costs for both the land purchase and the mobile facility.

West has been working to expand county services in the Free Home Community, which is in the district he represents. The County purchased 91.89 acres in 2020 at the corner of Ga. 372 and Ga. 20 for the future E.W. and Edith Cochran Park, which has been designed as part of the Northeast Cherokee Parks Master Plan. The County and the Cherokee County School District have since exchanged acreage to give the District road frontage for the Free Home Elementary replacement school, leaving plenty of land for the future park.

At the time of the parkland purchase, West indicated a desire to expand other county services, including a satellite office for the Tax Commissioner’s Office so residents did not have to drive to Canton. Current offices for the Tax Commissioner’s Office are located in Woodstock and Canton, with kiosk locations for tag renewal in Towne Lake and Hickory Flat. He has been working with county staff and Tax Commissioner Denise Mastroserio to find a suitable location.

“I’m happy to see action being taken to provide more convenience to the residents of the Free Home Community,” West said. “Residents currently have to navigate construction on Highway 20 to drive to Canton to take care of business at the Tax Commissioner’s Office. This decision will provide them with a convenient option.”

Once the county takes ownership of the property in early 2024, design and construction will begin.

During the Aug. 15 meeting, the Board also:

• Heard Fire-ES Chief Eddie Robinson present outstanding employee awards and recognitions.
• Proclaimed Aug. 15, 2023 as Youth Sports Champions Day in Cherokee County.
• Approved, 5-0, the minutes from the Aug. 1 special called meeting, work session, executive session and regular meeting. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by District 3 Commissioner Benny Carter.
• Held a public hearing on a Board of Commissioners-initiated rezoning for property at 5385 Drew Road to rezone 0.45 acres of the 15.66-acre property from Neighborhood Commercial to Agriculture. Staff indicated the rezoning is board-initiated due to a zoning mapping error from the 1980s. The property owners, David and Sheryl Neary, are proposing a minor subdivision on the AG zoned parcel. Commissioner West made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
• Held a public hearing regarding Scott Brassard’s request to modify 2004 zoning conditions at 211 Highland Village Lane to remove the requirement for a 50-foot exterior zoning buffer. Several residents of the Arbor View subdivision spoke in opposition, saying a precedent would be set if the Board allowed encroachment on the 50-foot buffer. The resident who filed the application indicated he received permission from his neighborhood HOA to level the yard and remove dead and diseased trees, as well as trash, on his property. He told the Board he did not have any malicious intent with his actions. He apologized to the Arbor View neighbors and told the Board he would be willing to plant screening trees along his fence line. Commissioner Carter, who represents the area, motioned to table the decision until Sept. 5 to work out a compromise between the property owners. Commissioner Weatherby seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0.
• Held a public hearing on Daniel Panfil’s appeal of a June 2023 Zoning Board of Appeals decision regarding a variance to encroach up to 35 feet into a platted 50-foot undisturbed buffer at 104 Arbor Hill Trail to build a pool. The previous owner of the property removed the trees in the buffer. Mr. Panfil had support from the HOA board who spoke in his favor, as well as surrounding neighbors. Commissioner West made the motion to approve the appeal of the ZBA decision due to the most affected neighbors being in support of the action. Commissioner Weatherby seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0.
• Held a public hearing related to a Zoning Ordinance amendment concerning C&D Transfer Stations. The amendment allows closed construction/demolition waste landfills in Light Industrial zoned districts that meet criteria to be used as transfer stations for the same type of waste with a Special Use Permit. No one spoke. District 4 Commissioner Corey Ragsdale made the motion to approve the amendment, which was seconded by Commissioner West. The vote was 5-0.
• Held a public hearing to consider extending the moratorium for the I-575 and Sixes Road Interchange Area. Staff indicated that with the approval of the Comprehensive Plan, they are amenable to allow the moratorium to end Friday, Aug. 18 as planned. The Board took no action, and the moratorium will end Aug. 18.
• Approved, 5-0, adopting the 2023 Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Tabled, 5-0, a decision on Barry and Dawn Scott’s appeal of the Zoning Manager’s decision to reject the zoning review of a business license application for Dallas North Lawn Sprinklers, Inc. for property located at 11397 Bells Ferry Road. The case will be put on the Sept. 5 agenda. Commissioner Carter made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner West.
• Approved, 5-0, the consent agenda, which included: a subrecipient agreement in the amount of $600,000 with the Canton Housing Authority for the Tippens Place Project from the county’s 2021 ARPA allocation; an updated Safe Kids and Wellness Program partnership agreement with Northside Hospital; the conveyance of right-of-way deeds for the construction of a joint access roadway for both the new Free Home Elementary School and the future Cochran Park; amendment one to the construction agreement with RDJE, Inc. for the Etowah Valley Estates Drainage Improvement Project in the amount of $23,450; amendment one to the Design Services Agreement with Volkert, Inc. to prepare a stream buffer variance and coordination with FEMA for the East Cherokee Drive at Avery Creek Drive Intersection Improvement project in the amount of $23,801; the 2023 CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan submission to HUD; reallocation of aging CDBG funds and submission of corresponding update of the 2022 Annual Action Plan to HUD; calling a public hearing for Sept. 5 to receive comments regarding the abandonment of an unnamed street off West Putnam Ferry Road; calling for a public hearing for Sept. 5 on the abandonment of a permanent slope easement on a portion of Woodstock Parkway; calling for a public hearing on Sept. 5 to consider transmittal of the 2023 Annual Impact Fee Update and Community Work Program to the Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia Department of Community Affairs; calling for a public hearing on Sept. 19 regarding possible amendments to the Cherokee County Zoning Ordinance and Cherokee County Development Ordinance concerning Minor, Rural and Major Subdivision requirements; calling for a public hearing on Sept. 19 for review and adoption of an amendment to Article 16 – Overlay Zoning District Regulations; calling for a public hearing on Sept. 19 regarding the use of motorized carts on approved streets in the Southlands subdivision; calling for a public hearing on Sept. 19 regarding the use of motorized carts on approved streets in the Crabapple Falls subdivision; calling for a public hearing on Sept. 19 regarding the use of motorized carts on approved streets in the Falls of Cherokee subdivision; and calling for a public hearing on Oct. 17 to consider adopting the final version of Article II Noise Ordinance amendments. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, an agreement with Digitech Computers, LLC for EMS billing services for three years with the option to renew two additional one-year terms for a 3.55 percent of net revenue collections. This is a new vendor with reduced costs to the county. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, amendment two to the Design Services Agreement with Southeastern Engineering, Inc., for additional road design and environmental services for the Ga. 92 at Trickum Road Intersection Improvement Project. The cost is $208,368. The project is a Local Administered Project that follows all GDOT processes and is a joint project with the city of Woodstock. The county is responsible for all project management and project design costs, and the city of Woodstock and the county will share the required 20 percent federal match for right-of-way acquisition and construction phases of the project. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Ragsdale.
• Approved, 5-0, an agreement with Corblu-Deerleap Preserve LLC to purchase habitat mitigation credits for the Shoal Creek Road over Puckett Creek Improvement Project. The cost is $39,720. Commissioner West made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, a Professional Services Agreement with Eventmark LLC for the continued operation of the Conference Center. The cost is $142,000 plus commissions and eligible reimbursable expenses as defined in the agreement. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, amendment two to the Design and Construction Agreement for SW Cherokee Park with TSW to add services related to relocation of park elements within the park. The cost to amend the agreement is $26,500. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, the purchase of a vibratory tandem roller from Reynolds-Warren Equipment Company for $30,199. Public Works is in need of a small roller to be used on minor paving projects like deep patches, parking lots, and driveways. Commissioner West made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
• Approved, 5-0, the purchase of one 2022 Ford F-250 utility body truck from Courtesy Ford for Recreation and Parks. The cost is $55,900. Commissioner Carter made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Ragsdale.
• Approved, 5-0, a resolution to authorize the Tax Commissioner to waive the mailing of, preparation of and/or sending of any tax bills for any ad valorem tax bill equal or less than $1. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, the fifth amendment to the agreement with Trinity Services Group to extend the Food Services Agreement at the Adult Detention Center for an additional year at the request of the Sheriff’s Office. The expected cost is $753,045. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, purchasing Illuminate 911 QA and Higher Ground Recorder for E 9-1-1 from Replay System. The cost is $153,826. Commissioner Carter made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner West.
• Approved, 5-0, a petition to install five speed humps on Wrights Mill Road. Commissioner West made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
• Approved, 5-0, ratification of a proposed consent order resolving claims against the county by Home Care Partnership in the acquisition, through condemnation of certain real property interests for Parcel 10 of the Ga. 140 at East Cherokee Drive Intersection Improvement Project (a 2019 Superior Court Civil case). Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.