City Council Approves 90-Day Moratorium

On Tuesday, May 1, the Peachtree Corners City Council met at 11 a.m. at the Fowler YMCA in a Special Called Meeting and moved to approve a 90-day moratorium on zoning, land use and other matters in preparation of July 1 when Peachtree Corners will begin legally operating as a city.

After discussion and advice of Acting City Attorney, William (Bill) Riley the city council unanimously approved the moratorium which is intended to eliminate any last-minute filings for licenses and permits until the city is established.

The moratorium includes:

• All zoning and land use matters
• Alcohol permits
• Business licenses
• Massage parlor licenses
• Taxi cab permits
• Adult entertainment establishment licenses
• Adult bookstore licenses
• Sign and billboard permits
• Building and demolition permits

The moratorium eliminates the "last-minute rush" for businesses eager to establish a "taxi cab service or an adult book store" before July 1, explained Riley.

The second new business item on the agenda addressed the transfer of power between Gwinnett County and the City of Peachtree Corners which was also unanimously approved by the city council.

The City passed a resolution that provided a 60-day notification to Gwinnett County to transfer to the City the authority over all "land use, permitting, alcohol and business licensing, development and other powers and services" as provided by the charter.

The county, however, will continue "collecting fines, fees, taxes and other monies" until Dec. 31, 2013. The City may decide at a later date to give the county a 60-day notice to begin collecting fees, but no sooner than Dec. 1, 2012.

"We're trying to move ahead cautiously and carefully as possible," said Mason.

And in a Special Called Work Session held later at the same location at 7:30 p.m. the City Council gave the go-ahead to begin the search for a city manager.