FLOWERY BRANCH – Flowery Branch is one step closer to banning some donation bins in the city.
City Council voted unanimously Thursday night to approve the first reading of Ordinance 516, which prohibits drop boxes in the city that are not affiliated with an establishment.
The ordinance specifically targets free-standing drop boxes, which have been described by some council members as “eyesores.”
Council began looking at this ordinance after police noticed several free-standing drop boxes that were either broken into, cluttered with trash or overflowing.
“We are certainly in support of folks giving to charity, said Community Development Director John McHenry, “but these drop boxes in the city have become an invitation for criminality- they have become an area where people are leaving junk, and we want a good, clean city.”
McHenry noted that there are Goodwill stores close to Flowery Branch where people can drop off household items and clothing. Those locations are both off I-985, one off Exit 16 in Oakwood, the other off exit 4 in Buford.
A final vote and public hearing on the matter is set for Council's first meeting in November.
