(FEB. 23, 2024) -- A multi-jurisdictional effort to alleviate traffic congestion and bring quality commercial development to a parcel at the southeast corner of I-575 and Sixes Road is moving forward.

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved, 5-0, an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for the I-575 and Sixes Road Interchange Area Transportation Plan. District 3 Commissioner Benny Carter made the motion, which was seconded by District 1 Commissioner Steve West.

The total cost for the plan is $255,105 and is being jointly paid for by the county and the cities of Woodstock and Holly Springs. The county’s 60 percent share is being covered by impact fees and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds.

The study is expected to begin in March and should take about 15 months to complete.

In early 2023, the three jurisdictions came together to plan for future development for the nearly 100 acres located in the southeast quadrant of the interchange that are prime for strong commercial and employment nodes for the community but lack accessibility. The land is divided among the two cities and the county jurisdictions, and all three governmental entities’ comprehensive land use plans show the parcels as regional center/employment.

Instead of piecemeal development, city and county leaders want to take a collaborative look and plan together to ensure quality development of the area and lessen the impact of traffic congestion.

County purchases former Buffington School site

The Board also unanimously approved purchasing the former Buffington Elementary School site from the Cherokee County School District for $1.2 million. Commissioner Carter made the motion, which was seconded by District 2 Commissioner Richard Weatherby.

The 9.8-acre site paired with the adjacent nearly 3.2-acre site the county already owns is slated to house a replacement for Fire Station 29 and possibly a future site for the Fire Safety and Education Village and Fire & Emergency Services Headquarters.

During the work session discussion Tuesday, Chairman Harry Johnston confirmed with fire officials that the county’s intention is to preserve the original building and its historic look.

In other business, the Board of Commissioners:

• Proclaimed Feb. 23, 2024 as Rotary Day in Cherokee County in recognition of Rotary’s 119th birthday. Members of the Towne Lake and Canton clubs were present to accept the proclamations.
• Approved, 5-0, a resolution that memorializes the Board of Commissioners’ intention to coordinate and distribute HOST capital funds to the county’s participating municipalities should the measure be approved by voters in November. Commissioner Carter made the motion, which was seconded by District 4 Commissioner Corey Ragsdale.
• Approved, 4-0-1, the minutes from the Feb. 6 work session, executive session and regular meeting. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter. Commissioner Ragsdale abstained, as he was absent from the Feb. 6 meeting due to medical reasons.
• Held a public hearing to consider transmittal of a local amendment to the Georgia State Minimum Standard Plumbing Code to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for review and comment. No one spoke at the public hearing. Commissioner Carter made the motion to approve transmitting the amendment to DCA, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
• Held a public hearing to consider changes to the code of ordinances to support code compliance. The goals are to improve and clarify language, eliminate loopholes and conflicting provisions, focus on common issues Code Compliance experiences, reduce signs that distract drivers and look for sign opportunities to support local business. No one spoke. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion to approve the changes, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter. The vote was 5-0.
• Held a public hearing on zoning ordinance changes related to mobile units and transportation equipment. No one spoke. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter. The vote was 5-0.
• Held a public hearing to consider a request by Jason Fritz for a private helipad on property he owns on East Cherokee Drive. Several neighbors spoke against the measure, while two spoke in favor. Neighbors cited safety, security and noise as reasons to deny the application. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion to deny, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter. The vote was 5-0.
• Tabled, 5-0, AOA Properties’ request to rezone 42.49 acres from AG, R-80 and R-20 OI for a church. The case is expected to be heard at the March 19 meeting. Commissioner West made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
• Approved, 5-0, Robert Kriz’s request for a Special Use Permit for a climate-controlled self-storage facility at Wade Green Road and Highway 92, with an entrance off Wade Green Road. The applicant also is requesting a variance to eliminate a required decel lane and a required 30-foot buffer from Wade Green Road and including the driveway on the east side of the building. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, the consent agenda, which included: acting as the fiscal agent on behalf of Cherokee FOCUS for their annual Department of Human Services grant in the amount of $52,000 for the state FY term; a grant agreement in the amount of $3,259.50 for a summer intern for the Planning & Zoning Department to provide a Housing Stock Analysis Plan and authorized a budget amendment totaling $3,260; the first amendment of a tri-party agreement for public library services between the Sequoyah Regional Library System, Reinhardt University and Cherokee County; and a resolution endorsing the city of Woodstock ARC Community Development Assistance Program application. Commissioner West made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
• Approved, 5-0, renewal of the Network Cybersecurity Operations Center agreement in the amount of $73,644 at the request of the IT Services Department. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, the purchase of wireless access points for the Bluffs Administration Building in the amount of $26,728 at the request of the IT Services Department. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, the approval of the 2023 post-audit budget amendment in the total amount of $11.16 million. This is an annual housekeeping measure, and the county is legally required to true up the budget each year. The approval included savings of reserves to the Conference Center of $214,215 and use of reserves for the Senior Center, Recreation and Parks, Impact Fees, SPLOST, Fleet and various other funds of $4.49 million. Other expenses are covered by unbudgeted revenue totaling $6.8 million. Commissioner Carter made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Ragsdale.
• Approved, 5-0, adopting the proposed conceptual plan for the future 40-acre Hickory Flat area park at 3552 East Cherokee Drive and an amendment to the Cherokee County Recreation, Parks Green Space and Trails Master Plan to include this plan. Funding has yet to be identified for the project. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, a resolution designating the name of a future park in southwest Cherokee County as Woodworth Park. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, the purchase of 20 Dell laptop computers and accessories using State of Georgia contract pricing from Dell Computer in the total amount of $73,407.20 for Fire & Emergency Services. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, year six pricing with Bennett Fire Products for the purchase of firefighting turnout gear for Fire & Emergency Services through Dec. 31, 2024. The cost per Globe jacket is $1,763 and per Globe trouser and suspender is $1,479.75 for a total cost of $3,243.27 per set. The request is from Fire & Emergency Services. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, an agreement with TK Elevator Corporation to bring into compliance the DLM – Door Lock Monitoring systems for elevators at multiple locations throughout the county. County Manager Geoff Morton told the Board the requirement is a new unfunded state mandate. The total cost is $99,780. Commissioner Carter made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Weatherby.
• Approved, 5-0, purchasing equipment to upfit 29 Police Interceptor vehicles from West Chatham in the total amount of $405,150.70 at the request of the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner West.
• Approved, 5-0, purchasing one Ford F-150 at a not-to-exceed amount of $37,000, one Ford Explorer 2WD at a not-to-exceed cost of $40,000, and one Ford Bronco Sport at a not-to-exceed cost of $33,000 for the Recreation and Parks department. An automobile dealer has not yet been identified. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, a resolution to apply for an ARC Livable Centers Initiative grant to update the Bells Ferry LCI Corridor. The county is requesting for $240,000. Commissioner Ragsdale made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, executing a quit claim deed transferring ownership of Park Village Property consisting of 71.87 acres to the Development Authority of Cherokee County to be used for marketing future economic development opportunities. Commissioner Weatherby made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Carter.
• Approved, 5-0, a resolution adopting tax levy related to the Cherokee County School District’s issuance of General Obligation Bonds. Commissioner Carter made the motion, which was seconded by Commissioner West.