Council members passed a motion from Mayor Pro Tem Ron Petrie to refer the site plan to the city planning and zoning committee, which meets next month.
City attorney "Lucky" Chandler said no vote could be taken on the liquor license until the site plan was approved and Councilman Larry Pritchett motioned to postpone any license vote until next month.
St. Group Incorporated wants to locate a new retail center at 5462 McEver Road in Flowery Branch which will include a package store.
"Public safety is the problem," Pritchett said.
"The major intersection is Jim Crow Road and McEver Road."
The property has three different sides with an entrance and exit on each side.
Councilman Ed Lezaj predicted the center would add to an already serious traffic problem, citing a 1999 traffic study indicating that 18,000 cars a day crossed the intersection.
St.Group, Inc. architect Richard Rauh argued that the site plan met planning standards, saying that center design blended with existing buildings and homes.
As for the intersection, Rauh said "We stayed away from the corners and moved toward the middle."
AUTHORITY PAYMENTS
City Council approved a motion concerning future payments to the Lanier Technology and Waste Water Authority Tuesday night.
Councilman Pritchett questioned previous payments to the Authlority, saying there was no record or minutes indicating they were officially approved.
On a motion from Mayor Protem Ron Petrie which got a 3-2 approval,Council agreed to pay the city's half of what was obligated to the authority, $7,860.
Any future authority payments will go before the Finance Committee and then full Council for approval with a repayment schedule.
"The City of Flowery Branch and the City of Oakwood gave birth to this entity, we tasked them with something to do and they's done it up to this point," Petrie said.
"That's why I think we owe and obligation to them to continue supporting them."
FLOWERY BRANCH CEMETERY
Flowery Branch City Attorney "Lucky" Chandler has the job of discovering the true ownership of the historic Flowery Branch Cemetery and then making a recommendation to City Council.
Tuesday night council members said that it was an issue that had to be resolved one way or the other.
"Resolve is the key word because it has been
bounced around for way too many years and it's time for us to put a finishing touch on it," Chandler said.
Chandler suggested that a special master be appointed to research titles and deeds as
council members said they wanted an estimate on how much the research might cost.
The city already maintains the cemetery.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/2/182536