Jasper once again extends residential rezoning moratorium
City Council July 13, 2022
PICKENS COUNTY, Ga. — The Jasper City Council once again extended a moratorium on residential rezonings during their July 11 meeting. The moratorium, first adopted in August of 2021, has now been extended three times.
Resolution No. 2022-10, unanimously passed by the council, extends the moratorium on “all rezonings, rezoning applications received after the passage of this moratorium, and the issuance of all building permits that would require or necessitate a residential rezoning within the City of Jasper” until October 15, 2022.
City Manager Sonia Jammes said the additional extension came “as a result of the complexity of drafting a modified zoning ordinance and the current efforts at master planning the utilities system.”
The resolution itself gives a more in-depth reason for the moratorium, reading in part: “to develop and implement a comprehensive approach to controlled residential growth by way of zoning ordinance for the City of Jasper, Georgia, including enacting new zoning regulations pursuant to said approach, to create a balance of development within the City between residential, commercial, and industrial development in order that the City may continue to have a high standard of living, and have appropriate zoning regulations to balance a private property owner’s right to a reasonable use of their property which is balanced against the need to have these uses be within appropriate districts and areas of the City and prevent negative impact to the property surrounding said uses and also make determinations as to the availability of water and sewer service.
The resolution again says that during the moratorium period, the city intends to do a “complete and comprehensive updating of the zoning ordinance as to residential uses and determine capacity and availability of its water and sewer service.”
The council also passed Resolution No. 2022-11 during the same meeting. This resolution, entitled Temporary Residential Annexation Moratorium, places a moratorium on “all residential annexations, and residential annexation applications received after your passage of this moratorium, and applying to all annexations that would require or necessitate a residential zoning within the City of Jasper.”
Similar to Resolution No. 2022-10, this resolution expresses the necessity of the moratorium to combat unchecked growth and provide time for the city to prepare coming expansion. “The City Council of the City of Jasper, Georgia, intends during the time period of the temporary moratorium to start the expansion of the water plant and the waste water plant,” Section Three reads.” The City of Jasper has been working to begin an expansion of its Water Pollution Control Plant and recently received an almost $11 million loan package to do so.
Other Business
City Manager Sonia Jammes discussed a proposal for outsourcing the city’s residential sanitation services. She explained that the city is currently in discussion with Waste Pro USA to bring a “built-in efficiency” to sanitation services with “more defined customer delivery benefits.”
Jammes said outsourcing residential services is the first step of the city’s new service delivery strategy, which also aims to benefit the city’s workforce: “Our number of workforce that we currently have are stretched thin to not only take care of our sanitation services, our streets and parks, and making sure that we have all of our right-of-ways mowed. We are pulling from the same pool of staff for all of these items.”
The council also approved purchases of body cameras, computers, and other equipment for the Police Department as well as the reclassification of some firefighter job positions at the request of Chief John Sherrer.
Jasper City Council extends moratorium on residential rezoning
City Council February 8, 2022
PICKENS, Ga. — The Jasper City Council extended their moratorium on residential rezoning Monday evening. The moratorium, which will expire in June of this year, is the city’s latest move to tackle a growing concern over increased development in rural communities. Like many municipalities in the surrounding area, the City Council is already in the process of reviewing and proposing changes to the city’s zoning ordinances.
Resolution No. 2022-02, entitled Extension to Temporary Moratorium, was passed by the council on Feb. 7. The resolution will extend the temporary moratorium adopted on Aug. 26, 2021 for an additional 90 days.
In part, the resolution reads:
“WHEREAS, The Jasper Water Plant and the Waste Water Treatment Plant are nearing their maximum permitted capacity, and the City Council has approved several extensive developments that will utilize further capacity at said plants;
WHEREAS, the City of Jasper, Georgia is experiencing extremely strong residential growth, and which necessitates review, study, and modification of residential densities and in order to adequately plan for and serve the residents of the City;
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Jasper, Georgia, in order to facilitate controlled residential growth within the City and to update the zoning ordinance, adopted on August 26, 2021 a temporary moratorium as to all rezonings, rezoning applications and building permits related to residential rezonings until March 1, 2022 to draft and enact modified residential provisions within the zoning ordinance;
WHEREAS, the complexity of drafting modified residential provisions and the development of a comprehensive plan of regulations necessitates a ninety (90) day extension to the moratorium.”
Speaking on the resolution, City Attorney David Syfan said, “This is just to give the committee additional time to be able to make any informed recommendation to the council for the needed changes.” Syfan also noted that the moratorium and review process should result in amendments to Jasper’s zoning ordinances. The newly extended moratorium will end June 1, 2022.
Other Business
Mayor Steve Lawrence was absent from the Feb. 7 meeting but attended virtually. Mayor Pro Tem Kirk Raffield, who led the meeting in the mayor’s absence, confirmed that Mayor Lawrence had tested positive for COVID-19.
The council also approved a purchase sale agreement between the City of Jasper and Jasper’s Downtown Development Authority. The agreement would transfer Perrow Park back into the city’s ownership. Ownership of the park, as City Manager Sonia Jammes explained, would allow the city “to demolish some of the structures on the property that are unsafe for our citizens.” Jasper’s City Attorney also noted that the city will be obligated to pay off outstanding loans on the park property. A joint meeting between the city and the Jasper DDA will be held on Feb. 15, 2022 to authorize the purchase sale agreement.
New City of Jasper Fire Department and Certificate of Occupancy fee schedules were also approved by the council.
Georgia Power Underground gets library easement
News, Police & Government November 20, 2020
The Pickens County Board of Commissioners gave Georgia Power Underground easement to the land in front of the library for underground wiring and a transformer. Commissioner Jerry Barnes was out sick, leaving Becky Denney and Chairman Rob Jones to make decisions for the county.
“You can have it if you don’t replant the kudzu,” Jones joked with representatives.
The easement grants Georgia Power Underground access to the area permanently. The three-phase transformer will be near the sitting area outside the library.
Consent Agenda
The commissioners signed a proclamation declaring November National American Indian Heritage Month.
The commission also signed a proclamation declaring this week Red Ribbon Week.
Old business
The commissioners approved the EXP Pavement Evaluation Agreement. This would allow all county roads to be evaluated and ensure they are on the appropriate Georgia Department of Transportation list.
WIFE OF FORMER CHIEF MAGISTRATE ARRESTED ON THEFT CHARGES
New business
The commissioners approved a proposed fee change for the Environmental Health.
Finance report
Faye Harvey outlined the financial reports for the commissioners and said they were currently just under budget in most departments.
The commissioners approved advertising the proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. Copies of the budget summary will be posted on the website and detailed budgets are available in the Finance Office during normal business hours.
The commissioners approved finishing the airport lift station.
The Board of Commissioners gave easement at the library to Georgia Power Underground.
Rezoning
The board of commissioners approved three rezoning requests.
Parcel #017-001 which is a 3.17 acre lot on Bethel Road was approved as Rural Residential.
Parcel #017-065 which is a 0.6-acre lot on Bethel Road was approved as Suburban Residential.
Parcel #033-206-001 at 389 Carver Mill Road, Talking Rock was rezoned to Agricultural.
Rezoning fees could increase in Pickens County
News, Police & Government September 3, 2020
Commissioners Becky Denney and Jerry Barnes talk between Thursdays called meeting and work session
Planning and Development is preparing to raise the cost of rezoning, by $350 in some cases. Justin Kilgore, Director of Planning and Development said the increase was neccessary because of the cost of doing rezoning. The rezoning process can range from between $725-$950 for paying the zoning commission legally required advertising and signage, and registering the deeds.
“Right now, the residents are paying for a lot of these through taxes,” he said. “This tax the burden off of them and in the hands of the person wanting the rezoning,” he said. “This gets us a little closer to breaking even.
Commissioner Becky Denney asked if there was a way to break it in stages. “Going from $150 to $500 is a big jump,” she said referring to the fees for residential agriculture and small agriculture rezoning applications.
The five-year history and tax digest for 2015-2020.
“It would ease the shock,” Kilgore said. He also stated that the county saw a four-percent increase in permits and licensing over 2019. His department has processed 78 building permits and 20 business license.
The commissioners could not vote on it because it was a work session, but agreed to revisit it at the next scheduled regular meeting.
The county is looking at a decrease in the millage rate, for the fourth year to 7.6130 from 7.7790 or .166 decrease. Taxes levied in 2020 say an increase to $11, 620,571, up $332,107 or 2.94-percent from $11,288,464 in 2019. The increase was attributed to inflation and reassessments.
The Pickens County Board of Commissioners awarded a paving bid to Colditz Paving ,out of Blairsville. They were the low bid at $1.018 million out of five bids. The highest bid was $1.6 million.
BOARD MEMBER RESIGNS FROM PICKENS BOE.
Jasper tables zoning for further inspection
News March 8, 2020
JASPER, Ga. – Looking deeper into the rezoning ordinances, one application is drawing attention in Jasper as the owner, Wayne Reece, works with county and is potentially looking at reworking the housing project at 26 Hickory Street because of it.
Wayne Reece speaks to the Jasper City Council about the rezoning of his property at 26 Hickory Street.
The topic seemed to be stalling at first as council member Dr. Sonny Proctor originally questioned the project saying that he was not happy with the way the plans were looking. Proctor said he has great interest in historical architecture and the project as it was originally presented as “small lots with craftsman type hopes that I was very much intrigued by.”
However, Proctor then said that the project has evolved into something different. He said the project is compliant with current codes and zones, but it was not exactly the project he was excited about. Reflecting on the original appearances of the concept of the buildings, it did not correlate with some of the needs identified for the city.
Proctor said they are continuing to work on the “environment” in zoning and working with the community to accomplish these plans. He said he wanted to see the project go forward, but with some revisit to the plans in order to get the project back to where it started.
Reece replied saying, “I am certainly willing to request that you table this for 30 days. I am happy to meet with you individually to explain this. My concept is more on the lines of traditional neighborhood development where people can live close to places that they walk to. And so that we, in fact, reduce traffic and improve livability.”
Reece said that he has worked with the city before and they have worked with him on projects. He noted that the project was within the scope of the city’s comprehensive plan and codes. He went on to say the his proposed building is “in sync with historical architecture” but also interested in details, opposing things like “flat windows” or “narrow shutters” against the wall without hinges. He wants a positive statement for the community in this project and said he wants the city to work with him on sorting out the project.
Consulting City Attorney David Syfan on several parts of the issue, the motion for the tabling came down from council member Kirk Raffield to table the item to the May 4 meeting to also hold another public hearing for the rezoning.