Council Wades Through Details of Setting Up City

It was another night for Peachtree Corners City Council to absorb and discuss  reports and presentations as the mayor and council members worked their way through the details of setting up the new city.

In the Special Called Meeting the City Council heard recommendations by the city's consultant, John McDonough on what the duties of the Planning and Zoning Manager should include and considered a report presented by Post 2 council member Jay Lowe on choosing a temporary answering service to handle calls (beginning when the city officially becomes a city on July 1) until a permanent call center could be set up.

"You will see us move along very quickly," said Mayor Mike Mason, as he noted last week's Special Called Work Session lasted nearly two and a half hours due to the volume of details in last week's agenda.

Tuesday night's meeting lasted just shy of two hours as the City Council also voted on entering into a contract with Gwinnett County to bill and collect the city's Ad Valorem taxes and whether to accept a pro bono offer from a local media group, Accent South Media, to create a new logo for the city.

The city will pay Gwinnett County $3,437.20 per year to bill and collect the Ad Valorem taxes. In comparison Fulton County charges the city of Sandy Springs $200,000 for the same service and Johns Creek pays $100,000.

The City Council voted in favor of both agenda items.

McDonough's presentation also included details on:

Developing a Comprehensive Plan: Involves setting community goals and public policy in areas of transportation, land-use, recreation, housing, historic preservation, economic development, open space and community facilities.

Organizing a Community Development Department: The department would include Planning and Zoning, Building and Inspection and Code Compliance.

Planning and Zoning Division: Among its functions would be working with citizens, board and commissions, property owners and developers to achieve community goals. administer land-use regulations, review zoning applications, etc.

Organizing a Planning Commission: Members would be nominated by the mayor and appointed by City Council and would be responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to City Council on zoning requests and zoning map amendments. The Planning Commission is comprised of citizen volunteers.

Building and Inspection Division: Responsible for plan reviews, permitting and enforcement of land disturbance, building and development codes.

Board of Appeals: Members nominated by mayor and approved by council. The board's purpose is to hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is an error in an order, requirement, decision or determination made by a staff member of the Community Development Department. The Board of Appeals is comprised of citizen volunteers.

Code Compliance Division: Oversees property maintenance codes to maintain overall quality of life including: property values, community appearance, health and safety of residents, noise abatement.

Environmental Court: Responsible for hearing and adjudicating cases in instances where Notices of Violation have been issued and voluntary compliance has been unsuccessful.

The City Council meeting was held at the in Peachtree Corners. All city council members were present and the meeting was attended by some 25 residents. No executive session was called and the meeting ended at 8:55 p.m.

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