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Re-Zoning Moratorium Extended Again as New UDC Stalls
5 comment(s)
Originally Published Sep 20, 2007, 8:44pm
(Updated Sep 21, 2007, 11:32am)
Forsyth County commissioners voted to extend the rezoning moratorium for a second time due to concerns with the proposed changes in the Unified Development Code (UDC). The Extension is for 60 days or until a new UDC is passed.
The rezoning moratorium was enacted earlier this year to allow time for commissioners to review and make changes to the code that were needed to correct the unbalanced growth the county has been experiencing over the last decade.. While the proposed changes to the UDC were ready to be adopted tonight, Commissioners Ledbetter and Richard expressed concerns that many of the procedural changes were not yet properly addressed, and passing the UDC tonight to meet the moratorium deadline would be innappropriate. Instead commissioners voted to extend the moratorium pending the passage of the new UDC.
Commissioner Ledbetter expressed the most vocal opposition to the new UDC, citing concerns that applicants could have a very difficult time, as they could be forced to restart the application, even when a change was made to appease the concerns of nearby residents. "the system wasn't perfect, but boy are we really making it imperfect now" Ledbetter said.
Commissioner Laughinghouse defended the new changes, and stated that there has been plenty of time to discuss the matter. "its unfair to say that we have not had enough time to discuss this" Laughinghouse said.
Commissioner Ledbetter suggested that the moratorium be extended until the matter could be discussed at a work session
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Comments
5 comment(s) on this page. Add your own comment below.
I watched the meeting from the feed on this site. What a great service you are providing to the community!
I agree with Richard and Ledbetter on this matter. I think it is better to extend the moratorium and get the UDC done right, rather than passing something admittedly flawed just for the sake of passing something.
Not passing it as it is now was the right thing to do.
Only one person spoke in opposition to the UDC, Ethan Underwood. Linda Ledbetter said the landowners should look at the UDC because it would be very difficult for them to sell there property if this UDC passes, especially chapter 8.
I would suggest that the BOC conduct townhall meetings to educate the stakeholders (landowners) how these changes will affect their property values and ability to sell if they so desire. Many landowners in Forsyth County have held onto their land in hopes of possibly selling someday to finance their retirement (must like a 401K). Charles Laughinghouse said it is not the responsiblity of the BOC to baby-sit people. I say, it is the responsibility of the BOC to inform the main stakeholders because who can understand the UDC when it seems the BOC doesn't understand it themselves without having it explained to them by the planners and the county attorney.
The present BOC members seem intent on making rezoning so difficult and costly that developers will go elsewhere as a way to slow (stop) growth. Also, to keep housing in Forsyth County very expensive and out of reach of the middle class.
GA 400 has been dubbed "hospitality highway." The county is paying 5 million dollars as an incentive for Great Wolf Resorts to locate at Mary Alice Park. Will that not increase traffic? Will that not put a strain on the water supply? Will that not have an adverse affect on the residents of Mary Alice Park Road? Does it matter? The water park hotel and convention center is expected to attract 250,000 visitors a year. Also, a much larger resort is planned for Dawson County. How much traffic will these things add to GA 400 and local county roads? Where does the SPLOST money go? Why can't the state and county make improvements to accomodate the growth? Where would we be now if Dwight D. Eisenhower hadn't built the interstate system? He didn't live to see it completed, but he was thinking about future generation. The BOC seems to be thinking only of themselves and the homeowners who elect them to satisfy their own immediate quality of life needs.
I would also add that the BOC states that Buford Dam Road can never be widened because it crosses over portions of Lake Lanier and the Dam. I would ask you...how did a four-lane hwy. get built over the Chesapeak Bay and tunnels under the water so ships can cross over? How did four-lane hwys. get built over mountains and rivers? Where are the engineers of yesteryear?
It seems the intent of the proposed changes to chapter 8 got lost in the discussion.
Commissioner Laughinghouse mentioned this point, but it seems it was missed.
Developers should be expected to only submit complete and appropriate plans for rezoning application. They should be expected to understand and address all UDC and Zoning requirements, as well as community concerns and issues, before they initiate their application. Most (if not all) negotiations, alterations, and variances should be worked out before the application is submitted.
The proposed changes do not make it harder for property owners or developers to submit or gain approval, they just make it more likely everything is done right up front. Developers who choose not to do so may have to pay additional fees and go to the back of the line but they will eventually learn to get everything done before they apply for rezoning.
Rob H,
The landowners in Forsyth County have been demonized so harshly by the present BOC and those who elected them, that I don't think you will find very many landowners who believe that the revised UDC isn't meant to prevent them from selling their land to developers. That would be like trying to un-ring a bell. The candidates in the last election promised a moratorium and drastic changes to the UDC to slow growth.
I don't see how a developer can submit a sketch plat or preliminary plat that is always completely exact. How would they know exactly, until they start grading and surveying for each lot and the streets, sewer lines, etc. Then, if they need a variance they will be told, "go to the back of the line."
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