City Council approves rezoning for planned apartment units
City Council, Planning&Zoning April 19, 2022
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. — At their latest meeting, the Ellijay City Council voted to approve the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) distribution rate and an Off Premise Consumption Ordinance for distilled spirits. They also approved a rezoning request to accommodate plans for new apartment units.
After approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission and a public hearing, the council voted to approve the rezoning of 17 Barclay Street. To make way for apartment units, the property will be changed from general commercial zoning to R3 – residential zoning. Code Enforcement Officer Andrew Mathis explained that the rezoning request saw several objections, including “concerns that there might be an increase of traffic in that area due to the apartments, and concern that having apartments there might decrease the property values of the area.” Paul King, who owns the building, said the building will be converted into four, one bedroom apartments. He also noted that the apartment units would cater to older tenets, with prices “in the neighborhood of $1,400 per unit.” Ellijay DDA Chairman Reece Sanford noted that middle class in Gilmer County is a household income between $34,000 and $69,000 and commented: “This type of housing really supports our middle class and there’s a great need for it in Gilmer.”
Mayor Al Hoyle presented the renegotiated Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) distribution rate of 17%, a one percent increase for the City of Ellijay. In an email included in the agenda packet, Chairman Charlie Paris wrote “The Gilmer County Board of Commissioners wishes to acknowledge, and express our appreciation for, the professional and beneficial working relationship shared with the city of Ellijay. It has been our policy to do all that we can to be a valuable partner to the city, and we have seen that the city shares that same goal when working with the county.” The council unanimously approved the distribution rate, which had already been approved by the commissioners.
The council also approved an ordinance amendment at the meeting. The Distilled Spirits Off Premise Consumption Annual Ordinance amends current regulations and provisions surrounding alcoholic beverages within the city. Notably, the council set the required annual license fee at $3,500.
The council also held a workshop prior to the regular meeting. Shepherds Loft Representative David Grubb was in attendance to discuss the city’s plan for a new website.
Ellijay Police Officers receive Lifesaving Award
City Council March 22, 2022
GILMER, Ga. — Two members of the Ellijay Police Department received awards during Ellijay City Council’s latest meeting. The council also took action to address prior complaints concerning the city website.
Police Chief Edward Lacey presented three awards to two Ellijay officers at the council meeting. Officer Austin McArthur received the Service Award and the Lifesaving Award. McArthur received the Service Award, “The highest award which can be bestowed upon an individual affiliated with the agency, who suffers a wound from a weapon or serious injury in the performance of his duty,” after an encounter with an armed man that left him suffering from an ankle injury that required reconstructive surgery. He also received the Lifesaving Award for performing CPR on a man who collapsed in the parking lot of the East Ellijay Walmart. Officer Trevor McClure received the Lifesaving Award for his action in administering two doses of NARCAN to prevent a drug overdose after responding to a call.
Officer McClure received his award from Police Chief Lacey.
Officer McArthur received two awards at the meeting.
In response to several citizen complaints, especially at the council’s February meeting, Mayor Pro-Tem Sandy Ott presented both the council and those in attendance with a potential solution. She explained the city website would go under a complete overhaul in an attempt to address concerns raised about accessibility and transparency. The cost, Ott said, would be $1,500 a month for an initial three months followed by a monthly cost of $166. She also said the council’s goal is for the website to be “user-friendly, informative, and up to date,” and should be ready for use by July 1, 2022. The council approved the proposal unanimously.
The council also voted to put two projects, a crosswalk on North Main Street and a stop sign at North Avenue and North Main Street, out for bid. Chief Lacey spoke on the proposed crosswalk and expressed his support saying, “In the last six months, and in the last year really, we’ve had an 18% increase in pedestrian accidents in the United States.” Noting that pedestrian accidents are at an all time high, Lacey also suggested that the council consider jaywalking ordinances to enable proper use of the new crosswalk. The council also voted to authorize necessary steps to create an all way stop at the intersection of North Main Street, North Avenue, and College Street.