City Leaders Discuss Land Purchase, Budget, Solid Waste Plans and More

On Monday evening the small room at the Fowler YMCA was packed with some 60 citizens who came to hear the Peachtree Corners mayor, council members and employees provide an update on the city.

Attending were Mayor Mike Mason, council members Phil Sadd (Post 1), Jay Lowe (Post 2), Jeanne Aulbach (Post 4), Lorri Christopher (Post 5), Weare Gratwick (Post 6), Diana Wheeler, the city's community development director, Walter Osorio, the code enforcement officer and Kym Chereck, city clerk.

Also speaking at the meeting was Scott Hilton, UPCCA president and Michael McLaughlin, Peachtree Corners Business Association president.

The mayor explained the two pending pieces of legislation that would amend the city charter. The first would update language to allow for the Service Delivery Strategy agreement that had finally been settled between Gwinnett County and the 16 cities.

And the second would create redevelopment powers for the city to address areas such as the Holcomb Bridge Road Corridor that could benefit from redevelopment through the use of Tax Allocation Districts (TADs), Community Development Districts (CIDs) and grants.

"Post 1 needs to be redeveloped," said the mayor. "We knew we were going to need these powers and there will be a referendum in November for voters to decide."

Gratwick explained how the city came to the conclusion to buy the land across from The Forum in order to save it from being developed into 250+ garden apartments.

"We had no local say in how it was going to be developed," said Gratwick. "We tried everything we could to keep apartments from being built on it. Then we took a deep breath and decided to purchase the property."

But before the city could close, local businessman Bob Cheeley came forward to buy the land and presented preliminary plans for a mixed use development which was just what the city had hoped for.

But not everybody was pleased with the explanation of why the city decided to purchase the Roberts property across from The Forum.

"We were promised the city would only do three things. You walked away from all of your promises," said Steve Rausch when Gratwick was explaining that buying the tract of land was a last resort for the city.

"I think a lot of you are going to get voted out in the fall. We felt like all of you had abandoned us," he added.

Council member Christopher stepped in to explain that while it appeared that the city was operating in secret, the fact was the City Council was bound by law to keep silent until the contract with the buyer Lennar, was closed.

"I believe you did the best you could," said Maura Hein in defense of the council. "You took the initiative, I want to thank you."

The Community Development Director provided an update on the city's Comprehensive Plan. Work on the 20-year plan began in February and should be complete by August to present to the City Council.

"The Comprehensive Plan captures the community's vision for its future," said Wheeler. She explained and the end product will create a "big to-list for the city. She also reminded everyone who has not taken the on-line survey to visit the city's website and complete the anonymous questionnaire.

Osorio, the city's Code Enforcement Officer explained his work and the process of notifying homeowners who are not in compliance.

Sadd provided information on Community Improvement Districts and how they may be a tool in redeveloping parts of the city, particularly in Post 1.

"We've been exploring the idea of creating a CID in Peachtree Corners," said Sadd who explained businesses volunteer to tax themselves to provide monies to improve the area in which their businesses are located.

Aulbach gave a review of the city's budget. "We are doing well, the city has found more revenue sources than we anticipated. Aulbach said they city anticipates it will collect $1.7 million in property tax and that it expects "the millage rate to drop."

Christopher said that on January 1, 2014 the city will take over the solid waste program and will begin asking for citizen input in the near future as the city begins the process of handling its third service.

Read also:

New Developer Steps in to Buy Roberts Property

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