February 8, 2017

Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.

MINUTES
February 8, 2017

Item 1: Meeting Called to Order by Mayor Rick Roberts

Council Members Present: Frank Homiller, Mickey O’Malley, Lee Prettyman and Andrenia Stoner

Council Member John Byrd was absent

Staff Present: Michael Chapman, Donna England, Bryon Reeves, Darrell Caudill, Eric Wilmarth, Karla Weaver
City Clerk Karen Jordan was absent

Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance

Item 3: Appearances
• Presentation and Recognition of Sheriff Roger Garrison
Mayor Roberts presented former Sheriff Roger Garrison with a key to the city and read a proclamation commending him for his service and dedication to the City of Ball Ground during his tenure as Sheriff of Cherokee County

• Mark Lott – Westminster Chapel
Mr. Lott appeared before Mayor and City Council on behalf of Westminster Chapel to request permission to place a mobile unit behind the existing building. He stated the existing building no longer meets the needs of the congregation and therefore would like to appeal to the Mayor and Council for permission to place the mobile unit on the property.

Mayor Roberts stated mobile units are not a permitted use for the zoning classification of the property.
No action taken.

Item 4: Announcements/Informational Items/Project Updates – City Manager Wilmarth
• Arbor Day Tree Planting – Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at 9:30 AM
• Sunday, March 5, 2017, The Tour of the Southern Highlands (ToSH) Bicycle Race is coming to Ball Ground.

Item 5: Approval of January 12, 2017, Minutes
Council Member Homiller put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the minutes of January 12, 2017, City Council Meeting as submitted by the city clerk.
Motion Unanimously Approved.

Item 6: Old Business – None
a) 2nd Reading of Alcohol License Application for Consumption on Premise
Applicant: Robert Joseph Waldrop
Business Name: Chef Adam Inc. DBA Les Bon Temps Louisiana Kitchen
Location: 248 Gilmer Ferry Road

Council Member Homiller put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the second reading of the application as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved

b) 2nd Reading of Alcohol License Application for Package Sales
Applicant: Rina H. Patel
Business Name: Keshavkrupa2016, LLC/DBA Jordan’s Package Store
Location: 263 Commerce Lane

Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the second reading of the application as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved

c) 2nd Reading of Alcohol License Application for Package Sales
Applicant: Dhiraj Dutta
Business Name: American Petro Inc. DBA Danny’s Exxon Ball Ground
Location: 3010 Ball Ground Hwy.

Council Member Homiller, put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the second reading of the application as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved

d) 2nd Reading of Annexation Petition 2017-A01
Applicant: Robert C. Chapman
The Property consists of 1.48 acres and is located at 8611 Ball Ground Hwy.
The property is described as all that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 65 of the 3rd District, 2nd Section of Cherokee County and further described as Cherokee County Tax Map No. 03N01, Parcel 118A. The property is currently zoned R40. No zoning change is being requested

Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to approve the second reading of the annexation petition as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved

Item 7: New Business
a) 1st Reading of Downtown District – Valley Overlay District Map Amendment
City Manager Wilmarth presented an updated map showing the additions to the Valley Overlay District. He stated the proposed map included the original City boundaries to the north and entire parcels, rather than just following the original “circle”.

Council Member Homiller put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the first reading of the amendment to the Valley Overlay District Map. (Map Attached)
Motion Unanimously Approved.

b) 1st Reading of Downtown Architectural Controls
The following Design Guidelines for Historic Downtown Central Business District was presented for Mayor and Council discussion.
Council Member Homiller questioned the use of the word should vs shall.

City Attorney Caudill stated the verbiage should remain as should so as to leave allowance of discretion of the Executive Committee. City Attorney Caudill also stated this would give the Executive Committee flexibility when making decisions.

Council Member Homiller put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the first reading of the Design Guidelines for Historic Downtown Central Business District as outlined below.
Motion Unanimously Approved.

DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BALL GROUND
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

This document presents design guidelines for the construction of new buildings and modifications to existing buildings within the downtown district that are not single family detached residential dwellings. This ordinance is supplemental in nature, and will be used in the absence of more stringent zoning requirements within the district, such as TND. The boundary map for this district shall mirror that of the Downtown District and Valley District

Characteristics of Downtown Buildings:

• Buildings aligned with adjacent historic buildings at sidewalk edge;
• One to three-story traditional commercial buildings;
• Masonry construction dominates;
• Expansive ground floor storefront windows, transitioning into predominantly solid upper floors;
• Flat-roof buildings or pitched roof buildings with a minimum 8:12 Pitch using architectural asphalt shingles, or approved standing seam metal roof of an approved color.

Design Goals:

• To encourage infill development that is consistent with existing historic commercial buildings;
• To continue the use of traditional building materials found in the area with the exception of tin or light weight metal roofing, which was not an original feature, metal roofing will be of a standing seam nature with colors approved by the City;
• To maintain the traditional mass, size, and form of buildings seen along the street (i.e., as seen from the street, a building should be a rectangular mass that is one-to three stories in height).
• To design commercial buildings with storefront elements similar to those seen traditionally (i.e., a commercial building should include: recessed entries, display windows, transom windows, cornices or parapets, and vertically oriented upper-story windows).
• To encourage projects that reinforce the retail oriented function of the street and enhances its pedestrian character.
• To promote friendly, walkable streets (i.e., developments that support pedestrian activity and contribute to the quality of life are encouraged).
• To accurately convey the history of the area by avoiding architectural styles that are not consistent with historic buildings in Ball Ground.

Materials:

Building materials of new structures should contribute to the visual continuity of the district. Brick and wood are the dominant materials and their use in new construction is required. Refer to section D of the Ball Ground Master Plan for illustrations of preferred exterior design elements.

Materials prohibited in the District:
1. Metal (other than an approved standing seam or architectural metal)
2. Vinyl
3. Aggregate Stone Textures
4. Non-architectural masonry block.

Materials permitted in the District:

1. Brick (Standard Size: 3 5/8” x 2 ¼ x 8”)
2. Wood
3. Cementitious Siding (such as Hardi-Plank/Hardi-board.)
4. Masonry Block, used only on the side and/or rear of building.
5. Stucco, used only as accent material.
6. Natural Stacked Stone or manufactured stacked stone that is natural in appearance as accents.
7. Marble

Process Requirements:

1. Applicant must submit stamped engineered drawings, including building elevations with proposed colors of all exterior materials for all structural changes or new construction.
2. Applicant must submit drawings, including building elevations with proposed colors of all exterior materials for cosmetic changes.
3. If taking advantage of zero lot line development standards, applicant must submit construction easements for the duration of the project and a perpetual maintenance easement.
4. Plans require the approval of at least two members of the Executive Committee.
5. Applicant may appeal any decisions of the Executive Committee to the Ball Ground City Council.

c) Consider Terrell Street name Change
Mayor Roberts stated he had been approached by Steven Byrd a resident of Terrell Street with a request to change the name of Terrell Street to Byrd Hill.

City Manager Wilmarth stated the request was sent to Cherokee County Mapping Department asking if the renaming was acceptable. The response was yes it was acceptable.

Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to rename Terrell Street to Byrd Hill.
Motion Unanimously Approved

d) Consider surplus of Strippling Street Lot
City Manager Wilmarth stated the Cherokee County Historical Society had asked for Mayor Roberts to enter into an agreement allowing them to move, at their expense a historic house located at 420 Old Canton Road to a vacant lot owned by the City of Ball Ground located at the corner of Old Canton Road and Strippling Street. As stated in the agreement the Cherokee County Historical Society would restore the structure and then sell it dividing the profit between the City of Ball Ground and the Cherokee Historical Society.

Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Homiller to partner with the Cherokee County Historical Society by providing them with property to enable them to relocate an abandon historic structure in the City and furthermore grant the city attorney authority to draft a formal agreement outlining how the partnership would work, prior to granting formal consent to move forward with the project.
Motion Unanimously Approved.

e) Consider an additional check signer for any/all banking accounts
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to authorize Police Chief Bryon Reeves as a fourth check signer for any and all City of Ball Ground checking accounts.
Motion Unanimously Approved.

Item 8: City Manager Comments
Financial Report – City Manager Wilmarth presented an unaudited report of account balances, statement of revenue and expenditures for the month ended January 31, 2017. The report showed cash on deposit totaled $860,872.83

Chief Reeves presented a written report of the department’s activity for the month
ended January 31, 2017.

Item 9: Mayor Roberts & City Council Comments
At this time Mayor Roberts excused himself from the meeting and left the building because of his personal involvement in the subject matter of the executive session.

Item 10: Public Comments – None

Item 11: Executive Session
Council member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to enter into executive session for the purpose to discuss negotiations to purchase the property.
Motion Unanimously Approved.

No action taken.

A motion was put forth by Council Member Stoner, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to adjourn the executive session and to convene back into the regular meeting.
Motion Unanimously Approved.

Mayor Pro Tem Homiller called the regular meeting back to order.

City Manager Wilmarth provided council members with a summary of a deed for property owned by Mayor Rick Roberts identified as map and parcel number 94N03-022A and consisting of .44 acres. The property appraisal prepared by the Georgia Department of Transportation reflected the property value of $25,000.00. City Manager Wilmarth stated all other properties associated with the Valley Street Streetscape Project has been purchased with the exception of this one.

City Manager Wilmarth informed council members of two options to consider. One is to condemn the property and the second is to purchase the property.

Following the discussion, a motion was put forth by Council Member Stoner, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to make an offer to purchase the .44 acres located at the corner of Beck and Valley Streets owned by Mayor Rick Roberts at the appraised value of $25,000.00

Motion Unanimously Approved.

Item 12: Adjourn – There being no further business for Council consideration the motion was made by Council Member Stoner, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to adjourn.
Motion Unanimously Approved

The Minutes of this February 8, 2017, City Council Meeting approved this 9th Day
of March 2017.

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