The Sugar Hill City Council held its monthly meeting Monday, March 14, during which the council recognized city workers whose daily danger is seldom considered.
Assistant city manager Troy Besseche read a proclamation declaring Natural Gas Utility Workers Day in appreciation of the city’s gas utility workers and the risky work they do.
Council member Marc Cohen then introduced Chandra Brandel, the incoming chairperson of the Sugar Hill Arts Commission. She reviewed the nine successful exhibits the commission held throughout 2021 and the start of 2022.
As the meeting moved on to local business matters, the council voted on a motion to rezone a lot at 1250 Hickory Hills Drive to allow for the construction of new cottage homes. After a condition was added that a $15,000 reserve be provided to the homeowner’s association for maintenance of stormwater facilities and roads, the motion passed unanimously.
Next, the council heard a petition from Elmington Residential to rezone 27.7 acres along Sycamore Road to build an 87-home subdivision in which the single-family houses would be rented rather than purchased.
Denise Hoell, a resident of Sugar Hill, spoke in opposition of the project based on her belief that homeowners would be more supportive of the community than renters. Another resident, Katrina Coker, spoke in favor of the development, stating renters are an important part of the community.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor Anderson suggested several new conditions, and the council unanimously voted to table the item to allow further time to consider them.
The council then went on to approve an agreement for pedestrian lighting along Ga. Highway 20, as well as adopt a new parking ordinance amendment.
Council members also approved an easement for the Georgia Department of Transportation at no cost to allow for the widening of State Route 20.
Andersen will step down as the council’s liaison with the Downtown Development Authority. He nominated council member Mason Roszel as his replacement. Roszel will be sworn in at the next DDA meeting on Tuesday, March 29.
Finally, the council unanimously voted to use a sum of $10 million granted to the city through the American Rescue Plan Act for the purposes of replacing lost public sector revenue, addressing public health and negative economic impacts, providing premium pay for essential government workers and investing in critical water, sewer, stormwater and broadband infrastructure.
The Sugar Hill City Council will next meet at 7:30 p.m. April 11 at City Hall.
