Trash, Code Enforcement, Town Center, Topics at Town Hall Meeting

Some 130 people attended the Peachtree Corners Town Hall Meeting held at the Winters Chapel United Methodist Church Tuesday night. Council member Phil Sadd (Post 1) hosted the meeting.

On the meeting agenda was presentations by City Council and staff on topics that ranged from redevelopment powers and SPLOST which will be on the ballot Nov. 5 to code enforcement, trash and the new town center planned for the property across from The Forum.

The term "redevelopment powers is really a misnomer," said Diana Wheeler, the city's community development director. "It's really a financing tool."

It will be on the ballot in the form of a referendum for voters to decide on next month. Redevelopment powers allows cities to create Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) which allows taxes to be generated and collected for a specific area. The purpose is to fund redevelopment of a specific area.

"There is no risk to the city and it doesn't raise your taxes or increase the three powers of the city," said Wheeler.

Mayor Mike Mason discussed the penny sales option tax (SPLOST) which will also be on the ballot. If the voters pass SPLOST the monies collected will primarily be used for transportation needs including sidewalks said Mason.

"Because Peachtree Corners is the biggest city in Gwinnett, we will have $20 million to spend." Mason said the city is working on a project list to present to the county.

Code enforcement was next on the agenda. City Manager Julian Jackson made the presentation. One resident complained that the code enforcement officers were "harassing people" in his neighborhood over parked campers and cars which are in violation of the city's ordinances. "You guys come in here and we have all these new rules."

He asked if the codes could be changed and Jackson advised him that the mayor and council has the authority to change the code enforcements of the city.

Jackson also talked briefly about the city's zero millage rate which he pointed out that the average tax payer in the city of Peachtree Corners pays less taxes than someone who lives in unincorporated Gwinnett. "We haven't had too many complaints about that," he added.

Wheeler offered an update on the city's 20 comprehensive plan which will be filed with the state later this month. It provides a guide for growth and development for the next two decades. A complete copy of the plan is available on the city's website.

Council member Jeanne Aulbach provided a brief report on the city's new garbage collection service. "The pricing we got was exceptionally good," said Aulbach, "$11.50 per month for garbage and $2.95 monthly charge for yard waste. Additionally seniors 65 and over receive a 15 percent discount on those services.

"The city will take over Jan. 1 and on Feb. 3 we will switch to Monday pickups," said Aulbach.  Fridays are the current garbage pickup date. The day was changed to Monday after a survey overwhelmingly showed that residents preferred a Monday pick up date.

Next up was a discussion on the property across from the Forum and how it was going to be developed. The 20.6 tract has been rezoned for mixed use development (MUD) which will allow a mix of retail, restaurant, hotel and residential.

Based on the feedback during the citizen input when the city was drawing up its comprehensive plan one point was clear said the mayor. "People overwhelmingly wanted a town center, so we rezoned it for mixed use. Successful downtown have residential space."

"We knew garden apartments were wrong, but what it will look like we don't know," said Mason.

One resident asked whether he would support apartments being built on the new development. "If it's in the best interest of the city, yes I would support it," he answered.