Ellijay Annexes Property on Highway 515 North, Sunday Sales to be on November Election Ballot

At the city council meeting on July 16th, the Ellijay City Council approved to annex a piece of property located in Gilmer County on Highway 515 North. The piece of property located at 31 Old North Cut Road in Ellijay was recommended by the Ellijay Planning and Zoning Commission to be annexed inside the city limits on Monday in order for the property to be zoned as a General Commercial.

The property, formerly a Citgo gas station is planned to be opened back up as a convenience store with gas.

Albert Bolet of law firm Goico & Bolet in Atlanta told the Ellijay City Council in the meeting on behalf of the property owner,

“We very much look forward to being a member of the city of Ellijay and being a good corporate system and hope to create about ten jobs.”

Ellijay Code Enforcement Officer, Don Schneider, also said in the meeting that the plan is for the convenience store to sell Texaco gas, yogurt, and local produce such as apples.

Also in the meeting on Monday, the Ellijay City Council motioned to amend its 2011 budget from $1,572,288 to $1,700,000. Ellijay Mayor Al Hoyle told FYN that the reason for the budget amendment was because of unexpected expenses in City Departments. Mayor Hoyle said that the majority of the unexpected expenses were mechanical problems in vehicles.

The city council also decided to have a review and action over an item of business that they had previously approved. Back in March, the Ellijay City Council approved for a referendum of a vote on Sunday Alcohol Sales to be placed on an upcoming election ballot. However, at the time the city council was not aware that they were required to sign a resolution stating that the referendum be put on a ballot. Also at the time, the city council was unaware of whether or not the referendum would be placed on the July Election ballot or the November Election ballot. Following a discussion, the city council approved to make a resolution that that will be sent to the Department of Justice in order to put a special referendum to allow for Sunday Alcohol Sales that will appear on the November Election ballot.

Lastly, in the meeting the Ellijay City Council also approved a bid from Coventry, a company that provides employee health benefits. The city council chose to approve the bid from Coventry because of a 2.36 percent reduction in rates. The company will provide short term and long term health insurance such as dental, disability, and vision insurance for the City of Ellijay.