Council Approves PUD site plans for The Summit

Business, Community

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The City Council voted to approve both requests to amend existing PUD site plans for The Summit at the Monday, Dec. 6 council meeting.

The council also approved the annexation of tax parcel 078-004 from the county into the city. They also took action on the Head House Bid and the water main extension.

The PUD site plans that were approved were for Phase 1b and Phase 3 of The Summit PUD. The council heard from the public and the developers at a public hearing on Nov. 15. For more information about what transpired at that meeting visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2021/11/17/council-hears-from-contractors-and-public-on-the-summit-site-plans/.

Both of the amendments had conditions placed upon them before they would be able to get building permits. The conditions that were most notable for Phase 3 are 1. The residential density shall be limited to 3.0 units per ace as stated in the site plan, 2. The average heated square feet of the residential structures shall be 1700 sq ft., 3. Short-term rentals are prohibited, and 4. The applicant must obtain DOT approvals and perform a traffic study and if modifications are needed the applicant must complete the requirements to fix out of their pockets.

The most notable conditions for Phase 1b are 1. The residential density shall be limited to 1.05 units per ace as stated in the site plan, 2. The heated square feet of residential structures shall be a minimum of 1700 sq ft., and 4. Short-term rentals are prohibited.

For the full list of the conditions for both Phases visit https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-cd264507f90845daa3dd87abd33f21c0.pdf. The conditions of Phase 3 begin on page 21 and the conditions for Phase 1b begin on page 32. These conditions fit the concerns brought before the council by Bill Rath of The Summit.

In addition to approving the amendment for Phase 1b, the council also approved the annexation of tax parcel 078-044 from the county. This gives the developers full access to the section of the property to build.

“We have mulled this over many many hours with the people from The Summit and the developers and I appreciate everybody working together. It looks like everyone is happy, and this is a rare occasion,” commented Councilman Johnny Ariemma.

The council voted to accept the Head House Bid from Macallan Works. This includes moving the Head House in order to build a new foundation for the house and a remold of the house. The project was bid out for $1,103,228.

The architect’s rendering of where the Head house would be moved to.

It would be cheaper to leave the house in its current position; however, the architect for Macallan believes it is in the best interest of the City to relocate the house. Mr. and Mrs. Bagley came before the council before the vote to voice their concerns for their business if the Head house is moved. Council heard their concerns and allowed them in the discussion before the vote took place, however, the council felt moving the house was the best choice in the end.

“I do want to recognize Mr. Bagley for being here and for stating your position and your concerns, this is a project that has been going on for quite a while and in the meantime, we are where we are tonight a lot of us has spent hours and hours looking over potential structures cost and so forth,” explained Councilman Ron Larson.

The council also approved the cost-sharing proposal with UNG for the water main extension on State Road 9. This is for the building of the sidewalk around the remaining length of the college. The extension has already been approved, the council had to agree to the proposal at the meeting.

The City Council with Mr. James Spivey after he was sworn into the Planning Commission.

Lastly, the Council ratified the election results and swore Mr. James Spivey into the Planning Commission. Spivey was approved at a previous meeting but had not been sworn in yet. On Jan. 4 the new council and mayor will be sworn in and begin their duties.

 

Council Hears From Contractors and Public on The Summit Site Plans

Community, Featured News, Featured Stories

DAHLONEGA, Ga.- The City Council heard from two developers and the public about site plans for the next phases of The Summit PUD during a public hearing.

The council also voted to approve replacing three filter racks at the water plant, and the Oliver Drive Stormwater project.

Lindsay Ewing and Logan Moye from Highlands Development Group brought forth their current site plans for Phase 3 and Phase 2 for the Summit PUD. There is also a third developer that has already been approved to review that please visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2021/10/06/city-council-approves-summit-planned-unit-development/

Ewing presented her proposal first including a PowerPoint. Her plan is for 26 or 27 detached cottage-style houses, averaging 17,000 sq ft in size. She is partnered with Pete Shipps of ProVision, and JL3 for this development.

The typical lot layout is predominant porches, rear set garage, 52 ft frontage, 100 ft deep, and a 20 ft setback. To view her PowerPoint go to https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-2ecf174d04414b65a0f9b97307c24283.pdf it begins on page 24.

Ewing’s site plan for Phase 3.

The Planning Commission and city staff recommendation for this project are for it to be approved with stipulations. There are 10 stipulations for this project. The most notable ones are numbers two, four, five, six, and eight.

Stipulation number two is for a minimum 1700 sq ft size for the houses. Number four is that short-term rentals are prohibited and number five is DOT has to give approval for the project. Number six is the minimum set requirements are 20 ft from the front, 5 ft from the side, and 30 ft from the rears. Lastly, number eight is curb cuts are limited to what is shown on the site plan. To read through all the stipulations use the link above and go to page 44.

Highlands’s plan is to put 74 townhomes on 18 of the 74 acres available in the PUD. The houses will be three or four attached unit buildings with an average size of 16,000 sq ft per unit.

Also working with Bill Rath, President of The Summit, they are in talks to create a road parallel to Summit drive. This road would help keep work trucks from interfering with residents of The Summit.

Highlands’s site plan for Phase 2.

The Planning Commission and city staff recommendation for this project are for it to be approved with stipulations. There are currently seven stipulations, two of the more notable ones are number four and five.

Number four states that short-term rentals are prohibited. Number five states that the DOT has to give its approval before building permits will be granted. The other stipulations can be found using the above link and looking at page 72.

“We are all professionals and we don’t want to get in each other way so it would really bohevas us to really work together and decide phases on starting, we’ve already had really good conversations with both and I have site plans for everyone,” explained Ewing.

These site plans will be voted on at the next regular meeting on Dec. 6 at 6:00 p.m.

The council also had a special call meeting that took place. They went ahead and approved the replacement of all three filter racks at the water plant and they also voted to move forward with the Oliver Drive Stormwater project.

The approval of the racks also came with approval for seven bank manifolds. The total cost of this will be $545,091.88. It will save the city around $160,000 this fiscal year.

The Oliver Drive Stormwater project has been bid on by GradeCo at $191,275. $85,000 will be funded by State LMIG grant funds.

 

City Council Approves Summit Planned Unit Development

Community, Election

LUMPKIN, GA.- The Dahlonega City Council voted to approve the Summit Planned Unit Development Phase 2with conditions at the meeting on October 4.

The council also appointed a new member to the Downtown Development Authority. City Manager Bill Schmid gave an update on the Head House Project.

The Summit Planned Unit Development or the PUD Phase 2 was discussed at length during a public hearing held before the last city council work session. The developer was able to explain to the council and community what the project entailed. The residents of The Summit also had a chance to voice their opinions on the project. For more information on that visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2021/09/21/council-approves-2022-employee-benefits-program/

The PUD was approved with conditions for the developer and future residents. The important conditions where the current residents of The Summitt are concerned are thus, short-term rentals as defined by the code of the city are prohibited, and the buildings will be set back 20ft. For the full list of the conditions visit https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-bcb52c98d80a4de585d83f401273504b.pdf

“There is strength in numbers, we don’t represent ourselves we represent you all, you coming out here, you did have an impact and we do appreciate what you did,” commented Councilman Johnny Ariemma.

The next item of business at the meeting was the appointment of a new member to the Downtown Development Authority. The council appointed Ms. Wendi Huguley to the authority.

The Council Appointing Wendi Huguley to the Downtown Development Authority.

Huguley is currently the Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at the University of North Georgia. She has lived in Dahlonega for ten years.

City Manager Bill Schmid gave an update on the Head House project. After a meeting with potential contractors to answer any questions they have, there are currently mix responses to the project.

There will be a bid on October 15 for the contractors. After that, it will go before the council for a vote with the hope of being completed by Spring of 2022.

City Clerk Mary Csukas reminds the community that the first day of early voting also takes place on the first day of the Gold Rush. There will be a detour set up with signs pointing the way and also citizens will be able to vote at the Parks and Rec.

“I encourage everyone to get out and vote. It seems like the City of Dahlonega’s average is somewhere around 20 to 25% of the eligible voters going to the polls. It’s too important a principle to not take it seriously so I just encourage everyone to go out and vote,” stated Councilmen Ron Larson.

The Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a city forum for the candidates on October 12 beginning at 5:00 p.m. At this time not all candidates have said they are attending. For more information visit https://members.dlcchamber.org/events/details/2021-city-council-and-mayoral-forum-66328

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