Public Hearing & Annexation Update
Hello Ball Ground:
We have received a number of inquiries concerning the proposed development on Old Dawsonville Road for which a public hearing is scheduled for 6:00 PM this evening. There has been debate on whether this application should be treated as a “zoning action”, or an “overlay extension”.
The City of Ball Ground has an agreement in place with Cherokee County, and re-zoning actions for the City are handled and heard by the Cherokee County Municipal Planning Commission. This has been the case for 20 plus years. Initially, we intended to treat this as a zoning action. An application was received by the City but the Cherokee County Municipal Planning Commission denied hearing the application due to their position that overlay extensions are not zoning actions. As an alternate course, the City scheduled a public hearing on its own to receive public comments on the proposed action.
This morning the decision was made to treat this request as a zoning action. Since the Commission has rejected the idea that this is a zoning action, the City will handle the process internally. Due to this change, the proposed annexation and the proposed extension of the Valley Overlay District will be tabled, and no action will be taken on these items during tonight’s meeting.
However; since many of you have already made plans to be in attendance we will still conduct a public hearing this evening at 6:00 PM immediately prior to the meeting of the Mayor and Council. This will give more residents an opportunity to share their comments on the record. Additionally, there will be another public hearing scheduled and held prior to either the December or January meeting of the Mayor and Council, to give residents an additional opportunity to speak on this issue.
Have a great day Ball Ground.
Eric
Public Hearing before City Council Meeting
The November 11, 2021, monthly meeting of the Ball Ground City Council has been rescheduled for Thursday, November 18, 2021, at 7:00 PM. A Public Hearing will be held prior to the City Council Meeting at 6:00 PM to solicit public comments on the extension of the Valley Overlay District. An application to extend the boundary of the Valley Overlay District to include 11.16 acres in a 48.2-acre parcel located on Old Dawsonville Road has been submitted to the City Council for consideration. The City Council will consider this request at the 7:00 PM, November 18, 2021, Monthly Meeting. Contact Chris Luly, Director of Planning and Zoning for additional information or to submit your comments prior to the hearing.
City Hall Closed Thursday, Nov 11, for Veterans Day
Ball Ground City Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 11, 2021 in observance of Veterans Day.
The November 11, 2021, monthly meeting of the Ball Ground City Council has been rescheduled for Thursday, November 18, 2021, at 7:00 PM.
Urgent Message for Citizens on Groover St.
Hello Ball Ground:
We just received a call from the contractor making repairs on Groover Street between Old Dawsonville Road and Civic Drive that their schedule has changed and they plan on moving in Monday morning instead of later in the month.
In order to make the proper repairs, the contractor will need to close the road off and on throughout the day as they dig out and repair the failed areas before top coating.
Old Dawsonville will remain open, but Groover between Old Dawsonville and Civic will see closures.
Please use caution in the area.
Have a great weekend!
Eric
Update from the City Manager
Hello Ball Ground
Some long-awaited good news from the Georgia Department of Transportation.
We received approval this morning on the Concept Report for the Ball Ground Truck Bypass. This has been years in the making.
On the downside, the State has not listed this for any type of fund expenditure until 2030. On the upside, we now have a valid project with a valid date. We will now double our efforts with Senator Beach and Commissioner West in an attempt to convince the State to allocate funds much sooner.
Regardless, having an approved concept is huge. Anyone who would like to review the concept plan and approval may do so here at City Hall during normal business hours.
We are tentatively scheduled to have the striping crews downtown for roadway and crosswalk striping the week of November 15th, while the repairs and resurfacing of Groover Street between Old Dawsonville Road and Civic Drive are scheduled for the week of Thanksgiving.
As always, the weather will play a role in maintaining these dates.
Have a great day Ball Ground.
Eric
