The Sugar Hill City Council met Monday, June 14, to discuss several items of contention. Items on the agenda included an amendment to the 2020 budget, a public hearing discussing a new townhome and flat development on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, and the reading of a proclamation in recognition of American Legion Post 127.
Following a municipal court report from Judge Margaret Washburn, council member Brandon Hembree opened the meeting by recognizing the newly-relocated American Legion Post 127. Post 127, which was established in Buford in 1921 and resided on Sawnee Avenue between 1948 and 2019, has moved to a new location on Suwanee Dam Road in Sugar Hill. Representatives from the Legion were not present, but a presentation will be presented at the Legion’s member meeting in July.
“Whenever we need to do something, whether it’s Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or just honoring a service member, I can reach out to the Legion and they are always willing to help, no questions asked,” Hembree said. “They make every possible effort to help us and we all look forward to honoring them at their facility.”
Council member Marc Cohen then read another proclamation in which the city of Sugar Hill announced that June 2021 will be recognized as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
“The City of Sugar Hill is a welcoming community and an exceptional place for people of diverse backgrounds to live, learn, work, play, and raise a family,” the proclamation read. “The city is dedicated to fostering acceptance of all citizens and preventing discrimination and bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
Former council member and current Sugar Hill Youth Council advisor Mike Sullivan later praised the city’s efforts to recognize Pride Month, saying, “I liked what the city put out because it is in the name of family, it is promoting diversity, understanding and support. That is so important.”
The agenda then moved to discuss an amendment to the 2020 city budget, wherein the General Fund Administration Department budget would be reduced by $3,138,000, the Economic Development Department budget increased by $3,130,000 and the Municipal Court budget increased by $8,000. This amendment was passed by all members of the council.
After renewing the Gwinnett Urban County CDBG agreement, approving a ground lease for the Sugar Hill Golf Club cell tower and an amendment to the mid-year capital improvement budget, Sugar Hill planning director Kaipo Awana came up to discuss a new 42.46-acre development of townhomes and stacked flats on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.
Awana explained that the development was necessary to appeal to the growing number of single-family and one- to two-person households.
“Our housing options are just so one sided,” Awana said. “(The data) tells us that there is not enough housing that meets the demographics and the preferences of the shifting market.”
There were originally 13 conditions presented to the contracting company, which were then made 14 upon the request of council member Cohen. The 14th amendment asked that the minimum square footage of each unit be 1,600 square feet.
Before the meeting adjourned, the council made changes to the dates for upcoming meetings. The July meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 6, while the August meeting has been moved to Tuesday, August 10. The times for these meetings will remain at 7 and 7:30 p.m., respectively.
