FLOWERY BRANCH – An application to rezone three parcels of land along McEver Road that were annexed into the city last month passed first reading at Thursday evening’s online Flowery Branch City Council meeting, but the vote was not unanimous.
Councilwoman Leslie Jarchow voted “no” for each of the three rezoning applications from Buford developer White Horse 70, LLC, who plans to construct 102 single-family homes on 43-acres.
Jarchow’s objection reflects the concerns of adjacent property owner Teresa Cantrell. On Cantrell’s property, in the building that once operated as a bed-and-breakfast business, is a residential wellness center for women in recovery.
In early March Cantrell told city council members, “The wellness that’s going to take place there needs a peaceful atmosphere.” Cantrell’s concern resonated with Jarchow, who also opposed the annexation of the trio of properties into the city nine days previous.
During the time for public comment Thursday evening Cantrell asked (via her internet connection to the online meeting) for an opportunity to meet with council and the developer. “Can we be involved in the site plan and conditions?” she queried.
City Attorney Ron Bennett responded at this point and recommended against such an action by the city council. “If I could chime in,” Bennett began. “Some cities…have a public participation requirement prior to a zoning application coming forward…there is a time period where the applicant and the community get together to discuss the project…and at that time such things as conditions may be developed.”
Bennett continued: “But we don’t have a mechanism in our code for the public to engage the council, short of making public comment.”
“Certainly Ms. Cantrell or anybody else can make public comment about her desires, but under our current system I would advise against…negotiating or talking about potential conditions,” Bennett said.
“You can take her input, factor it as you see fit in making your land-use decision- and if you want to incorporate it, fine - but I would caution against…having anybody to speak to the council outside of a public hearing setting.”
Second reading of the three rezoning applications will be at the council’s meeting scheduled for April 16. Note: unless current conditions change that meeting will also be conducted online; contact Flowery Branch City Hall for instructions on how to participate in that electronic forum.
PLANNED COVID-19 RESOLUTION TABLED
The Flowery Branch City Council had planned to vote Thursday evening on measures and restrictions aimed at combatting the spread of COVID-19 (something paralleling resolutions recently passed by Gainesville and Hall County), but as the city council meeting was gaveled into session Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a statewide resolution from Atlanta covering the same topic.
Since none of the Flowery Branch city staff or any of the council members had a chance to read the governor’s “shelter-in-place” announcement the decision was made to table the city’s resolution and allow staff, council members and the city attorney time to study what the governor had mandated.
City Attorney Ron Bennett advised council to examine what was included in the state’s new policy after the meeting adjourned and decide later if anything needed to be added to the statewide edict. “You won’t be able to do less, but you might be able to do more,” Bennett explained.
