Long Night of Meetings for Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Franklin County Commissioners will hold their regular meeting this evening but there could be some delay in the start time.

Prior to the regular meeting, which typically starts at 6p, there will be two hearings.

The first will be the first of two public hearings on the proposed FY2023 budget at 5p.

At 5:30p will be the Planning & Zoning Commission public hearing and the regular Board of Commission meeting at 6p.

Commission Chair Jason Macomson said those public hearings prior to the regular meeting might run long but all meetings will take place no matter their length. Again, there are three meetings this evening at the Justice Center in Carnesville beginning at 5p.

They include the first public hearing on the proposed FY23 budget at 5p, the Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing at 5:30p followed by the regular Board of Commission meeting at 6p.

At the Planning & Zoning hearing this evening, the Commission will consider three requests from Corridor Development, Inc of Lawrenceville.

The first is for an amendment to the current zoning map from Agriculture Intensive (AI) to Residential Multi-Family (RM) on a +/- 47.48 acre tract. The property is located at the intersection of Hwy 51 and Hwy 59.

The second is for a variance application for an increase in density, an increase in the number of units allowed per building, as well as a front, side, and rear setback variance for a Residential Multi-Family Development on a +/- 47.48 acre tract. The property is located at the intersection of Hwy 51 and Hwy 59.

And the third is for an application for an Amendment to the Franklin County Zoning Map from Agriculture Intensive (AI) to Highway Business (HB) on a +/- 5.00 acre tract. The property is located at the intersection of Hwy 51 and Hwy 59.

The Planning Commission will also hear from Ridgeline Land Planning, Inc. in Winder, GA has filed an application for an Amendment to the Franklin County Zoning Map from Agriculture Intensive (AI) to Residential Single Family (RS) on a +/- 23.99 acre tract. The property is located on State Route 326.

They have also filed a variance application for an increase in panhandle length on a flag lot on a +/- 23.99 acre tract. The property is located on State Route 326.

On the agenda for tonight’s Franklin County Commission meeting, commissioners are expected to vote to increase water tap fees and culvert pipe fees.

At last week’s work session, the Board heard from Assistant Public Works Director Nick Johnson on the need to raise tap fees.

Johnson said Franklin County currently charges $750 for a 3/4” meter, which he said is far lower than what surrounding counties are charging.

Johnson told the Board an increase to a $1500 tap fee would allow the county to break even on the cost to install a new tap line.  Public Works Director Bob White said the added fee would also cover maintenance costs on water meters.

Johnson said the County is in the process of changing out current water meters to more upgraded models.

The County is also looking ahead to increasing sewer tap fees as the county infrastructure expands to accommodate more homes and businesses.

Assistant County Manager Scott DeLozier said there would likely be higher fees depending on the size of the sewer pipe connection.

After more discussion, the Board did not vote but agreed to render a decision at tonight’s regular meeting.