July 14, 2020 — The Sugar Hill City Council held its first in-person regular city council meeting on July 14. Social distancing protocols were in effect, and there was a good turnout from interested individuals and applicants for various public hearing items on the agenda.
Council Member Brandon Hembree began the official business portion of the agenda by reading a proclamation for the Chattahoochee RiverLands. The group recently completed a feasibility study for a 125-mile multi-model trail from Buford Dam to Chattahoochee Bend State Park in Newnan. Sugar Hill, near the historic fish weir and Crayfish Creek, would be a trailhead for the greenway.
During City Council Member reports, Council Member Curtis Northrup announced his retirement from the Sugar Hill Council. Council Member Northrup has served the city for nearly 10 years.
Youth Council Mayor Khushi Mehta, as part of the Youth Council’s monthly report, read a joint presentation to the City Council and recommended “Juneteenth” as an official city holiday. While no official action was taken, Mayor Steve Edwards indicated that it would be on the City Council’s agenda for August for consideration.
The City Council also took action on contract awards for field improvements at Gary Pirkle Park and the completion of phase 1 of the Sugar Hill Greenway. The award for Gary Pirkle Park, in the amount of nearly $1.1 million, will improve several existing natural turf fields through the installation of synthetic turf. The award for the Sugar Hill Greenway, in the amount of approximately $4.3 million, will complete phase 1 of the greenway from Downtown Sugar Hill through both E.E. Robinson Parks, the future Gold Mine Park on Level Creek Road, and Whitehead Road.
In addition, City Council took action on several development projects, including the rezoning of property on the corner of Sycamore Road and Georgia Highway 20 that will ultimately include condominiums for adults age 55 and older and a new grocery store concept. The applicant indicated that they have a contract with Lidl, a German international discount grocery chain similar to Aldi. Variances were also approved for two spec distribution centers on Brogdon Road and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Investments are being made into these spec buildings, according to the applicants, because of the rise in eCommerce activity.
Mayor Steve Edwards then spoke about renaming Sugar Hill’s annual “Community Champion” award after Susan Roebuck. She recently passed away after a long battle with cancer and had a huge impact on the community through her volunteer and donation coordination activities at Sugar Hill Church.
Lastly, the City Council approved a contract extension to Advanced Disposal for waste management. The extension will be for a two-year period and at a lower (reduction of 35 cents per month) monthly rate of $14.30 for residents of Sugar Hill.
This concluded the regular session of the Sugar Hill Council Meeting.
— Staff Reports
