City Council Denies 2019 On Premise Consumption License Fee Refund for The Roof Ellijay, Approves Other Consumption License Renewals.

City Council, News

ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Ellijay City Council denied an on premise consumption license fee refund for The Roof Ellijay, approves four on premise consumption license renewals, one off premise consumption license renewal, and re-appointed Josh Moyers to the Downtown Development Authority during their meeting held on Monday, December 16, 2019.

Because The Roof Ellijay is opening later than initially planned (currently set to open sometime in March of 2020), they had requested a refund from the Ellijay City Council regarding their on premise consumption license fee.

Initially, during the workshop meeting held just prior to the council meeting, council member Al Fuller seemed to be the only one in favor of potentially issuing the refund, with council member David Westmoreland openly opposed to the idea.

Mayor Al Hoyle made it known that The Roof Ellijay had obtained both their state and local on premise consumption license, and that the state wouldn’t issue a refund for theirs, but that the local consumption license had to be obtained before The Roof Ellijay could obtain their state consumption license, which they had.

Fuller stated that such a refund had never been given before, and that the current ordinance would have to be amended should they vote in favor of the refund.

Westmoreland went on to say that administrative costs come into play, and that, use it or not, once the license has been purchased, it’s been purchased.

During the meeting, the council voted unanimously against the On Premise Consumption License refund.

The following on premise consumption license renewals did take effect though, with the council voting unanimously in favor of each:

Beer, wine, distilled spirits – Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza

Beer, wine – Cantaberry Restaurant

Beer, wine – Boardwalk Pizza and Pub

Beer, wine – County Corner Kitchen

The following off premise consumption license renewals also took place, again with the council voting unanimously in favor:

Hwy 5 General Store

Josh Moyers, already vice chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, was also re-appointed by unanimously by the council, as his term was set to expire.

A video of the meeting may be viewed below!

FetchYourNews.com attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month for ad server. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and has between 15,000 to 60,000 per week Facebook page reach. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or visit [email protected].

New Member Approved for DDA

News

DDA Updates Businesses on Website

News

The Ellijay Downtown Development Authority received an exciting update to its upcoming Ellijay website at it’s Wednesday , January 11, Meeting.

The website currently under construction is adding new features such as live updates connection with a businesses Facebook page. This is in addition to the already announced links and content that business owners can get from becoming part of the site like the YouTube video tour, business photos, direct map links, and descriptions. However, the moe exciting news to those business owners attending the meeting came as the website membership is becoming free.

Business owners all over the Ellijay’s, according to the DDA, are welcome to join the site to increase exposure by visiting ellijay-georgia.com and following the link in the top right to “Add My Business.” Authority members have dropped the $45 fee in favor of increasing memberships to further aid the DDA. Fund raising will still be a part of the plan, however. As the website will be utilizing some advertisement space to raise those funds later.

Discussion also arose on exposing the website with ideas ranging from window stickers similar to the popular “Gilmer’s Got It!” stickers, exposure to tourists through booklets in local hotels, to cross posts and social marketing through the Cities websites and pages. While the website is still collecting members to become fully operational, business owners can “preview” the site’s setup through the same ellijay-georgia.com address.

The DDA also was set to elect new officers during their meeting. But, due to the absence of three members, was forced to table the elections until February’s meeting.

DDA Plans for New Ideas in New Year

News

As the Members of the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) were asked to consider options for new officers as the New Year draws closer, it was another new item for the new year that drew their attention.

The DDA is preparing to launch a new website for its merchants. The website is being controlled and maintained by two local merchants Mark and Josh in an attempt to establish it as a fund raiser for the DDA. The site masters indicated at the meeting they would be selling space to local merchants on the site that would include a “Guide” to downtown Ellijay.

Over 80 categories on the site will range from food services to art to antiques, businesses can opt into the site and put up a description as well as as photos of their stores, an inserted YouTube video showcase, and a map link through Google Maps to allow visitors a direct path to the location. Business owners will also be allowed to put contact information on the site as they each will be showcased on their own page as well as a cycling highlight reel on the main page.

The site ellijay-georgia.com is set to launch in early 2017 as soon as merchants and the site masters get the final businesses set. After site maintenance and upkeep costs, the DDA motioned to accept a personal donation from the site masters in the amount of 30% of the proceeds.

In the same idea of raising funds, the DDA has voted to reduce the price of the local artist prints you find on sale in several of the downtown shops to $20 (from $30) but will continue selling their Christmas ornaments with no reduction.

As the meeting came to close, the DDA invited citizens to speak to the Board. One local citizen, Mona Lowe implored the Board to consider selling their prints and ornaments in a downtown “Swap Meet” of sorts on the Boardwalk. She offered ideas including setting the meet for a spring time date as a part of many people “Spring Cleaning.”

Lowe also asked the Board to consider options as several downtown artists and merchants have been discussing a type of Folk Art Festival. Stating she had been in discussions with several people, Lowe asked the Board what the chances were of something like that happening in Ellijay.

While the Board took no official action or plans for either event, Chairman Jim Stover did ask Lowe to gather more information on the two ideas and preliminary plans on what it would take to accomplish.

Zoning Issues in Ellijay’s City Council

News

The majority of citizen’s and council’s input revolved around two issues that faced the Council at Monday nights meeting, November 21.

A Public Hearing was held before the regular meeting to hear citizens speaking for or against a Rezoning of Lot 13 on Legion Road to Commercial. The owner, David Rachlin, stood to speak about his plans for the lot stating he was wanting to establish an RV Resort for visitors to the area.

His Resort idea included 10 RV’s that he would rent to visitors and establish on the premises, so no visitors would need bring theirs. While he expects mostly weekenders and short time stays, the owner also spoke of adding other facilities to accommodate the Resort including a Sauna, Jacuzzi, Game Room, and even a possible Basketball Court.

According to Rachlin, the business has already been tested in a separate area and has been receiving five star reviews on popular sites such as Yelp! The business would be set to open from April 15 to November 1 each year.

However, several neighbors to the proposed lot appeared before the council to oppose the rezoning request such as Gary Blasky, a resident of the nearby Timberwalk Estates, who raised questions about the size of the lot, its boundaries, and the close proximity to his neighborhood.

Another resident of Timberwalk raised her security concerns as well stating the proximity would allow campers in the RV Resort to be only a short walk from residents backyards and their children.

Jim Mahoney, a nearby resident who stated he lived within 200 feet of the lot, opposed the zoning request on concerns about increased noise and traffic on the road in addition to his proximity.

In fact, roughly 10 different people stood in the public hearing to voice their concerns in addition to a report of numerous calls, a 15-signature petition, and a letter from the Environmental Health Department concerned about the size of the lot in relation to the stated plans for a commercial business.

Ultimately, the overwhelming opposition before the City Council led to a 5-0 vote to deny the request.

Other requests before the council involved new and renewed alcohol licenses including, Holts Mini Mart for an Off Premise Consumption Beer and Wine License, Ellijay Convenience for an Off Premise Beer License, Seth’s on Boardwalk for an On Premise Beer and Wine License, American Legion for an On Premise Consumption Renewal, Cajun Depot for an On Premise Beer and Wine Renewal, River Street Tavern for an On Premise Beer, Wine, and Distilled Spirits Renewal, and Lee’s on River Street for an On Premise Beer, Wine, and Spirits Renewal.

All of these licenses received approvals, but those approvals came contingent upon background checks for each as the City has had trouble receiving the checks due to a change in process. According to City Clerk Sharon Nelson, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation recently informed the Council non-criminal checks now have to be done through a third party.

One other subject on alcohol came through the Council’s meeting as they are once again considering an ordinance to allow alcohol on the Downtown Boardwalk. This time, the ordinance would allow for a specific section of the Boardwalk to be an allowable zone for those drinking at the local restaurant.

Ellijay City Chief of Police Edward Lacey was asked his opinion on the possibility in the meeting. He replied as long as clear signs marked the area, it would be enforceable by officers.

The discussion came up to gauge the council’s interest before spending money on the City Attorney to draw up another legal wording document for the council. The First Reader on this specific “Zone of the Boardwalk” will appear before the Council in December’s Meeting.

Two final actions taken by the council at Monday’s meeting appointed new members to two boards.

The Council returned Lex Rainey to the Gilmer County Board of Health for a 6 year appointment. Rainey was already on the Board, but was nearing the end of his term. City Mayor Al Hoyle told the Council that the Board of Health requested the City re-appoint Rainey due to his active roles and support he brought to them.

Finally, the City Council also filled a vacancy on the Downtown Development Authority with Judy Wilson. Mayor Hoyle informed the Council Wilson had already been notified and indicated she would be willing to serve on the DDA.

DDA Could See New Help

News

The Downtown Development Authority could see more help according to their meeting on Wednesday, August 12.

Members of the DDA approved a motion to grant Chairman Larry Robinson permission to look into the possibility of adding on an intern who has volunteered her time. Though no agreement or details on the position have been reached yet, the DDA is anxious for the possibilities of additional support for organization and office assistance as well as social media control.

Also in the meeting, the DDA reported a total of 28 posts and 9 planks sold for memorial plaques on the downtown boardwalk raising over $1,600 in additional funds. This money returns to the DDA as they prepare for the next step of the care for the boardwalk which is to include staining the wood. You can still purchase these tags from the DDA or online at Indiegogo.

Boardwalk Gets Resistance and Support

Community, Featured Stories, Opinion

Progress continues on the boardwalk project downtown. (more…)

Beautiful Boardwalk Begins

Community, Featured Stories, News

A new Boardwalk Project has begun just off the roundabout in Ellijay. (more…)

Ellijay DDA Announces Organization Committee Meeting

Legal Notice

The organization committee of the Ellijay Downtown Development Authority will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 7, in the Better Hometown Office at City Hall. On the agenda are: Fundraising, a Volunteer List, Website/Social Media, and Accounting Software/Communication Software Updates. (more…)

DDA Makes Headway in First Organized Meeting

Featured Stories, News

Yesterday, the city of Ellijay continued to make history by having its first ever organizational meeting for the city’s newly approved Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The city has been in the process of beginning a DDA since last year, and last week a DDA resolution was approved by the city council. (more…)

What’s Cooking in Ellijay?

Community, Featured Stories

The Martyn House owners Rick Lucas and JoAnn Antonelli have decided to spread their life of luxury to the downtown community.

(more…)

Ellijay City Council Schedules Workshop to Review DDA Board

Featured Stories, News

Ellijay Sub-Committee to Recommend DDA Members

Featured Stories, News

“We want an authority to focus on developing a downtown.”

(more…)

Back to Top