Lavonia Renews L.O.S.T Agreements and Passes Ordinances

The Lavonia City Council held their monthly meeting on Monday night.  While it was a fairly quiet night, the City Council did address a few items on the agenda.  First, the city council voted unanimously to renew the Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.)with Franklin County.  According to City Manager Charles Cawthon, the city receives 13.3% of the revenues generated from sales tax collected by the county.

Other items on the agenda included approving a conditional use request by businessman Paul Patel.  Patel plans to build a Home 2 Suites by Hilton on a parcel of land adjacent to Cracker Barrel.  The request was passed unanimously on first read.  According to Mayor Courtney Umbehant, no second reading is required.

City council also amended the current alcohol sales seating ordinance for restaurants.  The original seating ordinance required restaurants to have a 75-customer seating minimum in order to serve beer and wine.  City Council voted unanimously to lower the threshold to a 45-customer minimum on second read.

Finally, City Council passed an urban camping ordinance on second read that would prohibit camping on public lands in the city limits.