December 2, 2019 — Buford Commission Chairman Phillip Beard called the December meeting to order at 7 p.m. inside of the Commission Chambers in the Buford City Hall. Following the Pledge, the agenda and November meeting minutes were approved.
Prince Holdings @ Lanier, LLC, d/b/a Grass Shack @ Lake Lanier located at 6087 and 6109 Lanier Islands Parkway requested a special use permit to allow boat retail sales, a boat dealership, and retail service marine dealer. The permit was approved with conditions.
Thomas R. Carter, Jr. requested that his property of 0.65 acres located at 2092 Buford Dam Rd. be annexed into the City with a zoning of R-100. The request was approved. The Commission approved an annexation request for Donna Coleman on behalf of HF “Bo” Phillips Estate consisting of 2.16 acres located at 3659 Carter Road be annexed and rezoned from AR-III to RA-200. The final annexation request was submitted by Andrew D. Lauffer for 0.69 acres located at 6121 Mount Salem Circle. The annexation and rezoning request for the property to be rezoned from AR-111 to RA-100 was approved. Certain conditions were placed on the annexations regarding home construction.
The Commission voted to officially certify the election results from the November 5, 2019 election. An extension of one (1) year of SUP #15-14 for 4560 Atwater Court, Suite 101-102 to allow church operations to continue for an additional year was approved. The low bid for the new water plant membrane filtration system was approved. The Commission voted to accept the sewer easement and access easement for the 1998 Robert E. Burton Family Trust on McEver Road.
The excess reserve capacity of the City of Thomasville was approved to be purchased by the City from MEAG Power. The new Buford Community Center 2020-2021 concert series, fall 2020 lawn concert, and summer amphitheater concert series were approved. The Commission authorized the release of pledged funds with Peoples Bank & Trust. The budget was amended and approved for employee pay raises. The Commission approved an amendment to the City of Buford Alcohol Ordinance which would allow beer and wine sales without the requirement to maintain a kitchen. Packaged and prepared foods shall be offered as an amenity provided there is no minimum requirement to provide for a kitchen. There are no minimum food sales requirements relative to the sales of beer and/or wine. The ordinance is applicable to the Downtown Entertainment District bounded by South Hill Street to the North, Railroad Avenue to the South, Moreno Street to the East and Main Street to the West. The establishment shall not exceed 2,000 square feet.
Payment #7 for the Southside Trunk Sewer Project – Phase II was approved. The first payment for the SR 316 at Harbins Road gas relocation project was approved. The Commission approved payment #14 for the Buford parking deck project, payment #2 for the Legion field improvements, and payment #4 for the Bona Road Gym renovation project.
Todd Cleveland with the Buford Community Center said that November had several sold-out shows and the antique festival held on the lawn was a big success. City Manager Bryan Kerlin gave his report which included an update on the parking deck project. The parking deck itself is nearing completion but site work around the parking deck still needs attention. Construction of the new Buford Waterworks plant will take approximately 2 ½ years. The City has been working with Buford City Schools and the Architect on the final details on the Buford High School project.
Projects with the gas, sewer, and electrical departments are in various stages of completion. Junior Alta tennis and the BMS tennis teams have been practicing hard and the tennis court renovation is nearing completion.
This concluded the regular business session and Chairman Beard went around the room to give the audience a chance to bring matters before the Commission. No complaints were voiced. Three citizens commended the City on the beautiful decorations around the City as well as the street department on its work picking up all the leaves that residents are leaving curbside.
With nothing further, the December meeting was adjourned. The next Commission meeting will be on January 6, 2020, in the Commission Chambers at Buford City Hall.
— Staff Reports
