County Commission Highlights

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners

For the full minutes and a schedule of upcoming meetings, visit www.cherokeega.com/BOC.

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners is looking at efforts to keep trash off the county’s roads and highways. District 1 Commissioner Steve West introduced an ordinance amendment at the Jan. 5 meeting that would require commercial trash transfer trucks to ensure their trucks are completely covered.

“This would force large tractortrailer trucks coming out of the landfill to roll their tarps back up and to cover their trailers,” West said. “A lot of the trash you see up and down the highways is caused by the trucks not covering their trailers after leaving the landfill. Trash that gets stuck inside the trailer is loosened by the wind and blown into the trees and along the highways. I’ve been working with the marshal’s office for the last year or so to put together this ordinance.”

West made a motion to call for a public hearing on the amendment to Article II Division 5 Section 141(f) of Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances at the Feb. 2 meeting. It was seconded by District 3 Commissioner Benny Carter, and passed with a 5-0 vote. Commissioners also:

• Honored Freehome Innovation Park’s request to remand its application to the Planning Commission. Freehome Innovation Park is seeking to rezone 11.755 acres at 12184 Cumming Highway from General Agriculture and R-80 Estate Residential to Light Industrial for a multi-purpose use including two office/warehouse buildings. • Approved a request by ZP Group, LLLP to rezone 11.63 acres at 7595 Highway 92 and 100 Queens Way from R-40 and Light Industrial to General Commercial and RM-16 (Multi-Family Residential) for a mixed use development of commercial and residential apartments. The Board also approved the request for concurrent variances related to reducing the front setback to 25 feet and to allow a 25-foot wide planted evergreen screening/ transition buffer between dissimilar zoning districts. • Approved appointing Commissioner Corey Ragsdale to the position of vice chair. Heard Commissioner Richard Weatherby make the following appointments: Loriann White, Cemetery Preservation Committee; Terry Meier, Cherokee Recreation and Parks Advisory Board; Raymond Gunnin, Fire Code Appeals Board; Larry Lusk, Impact Fee Appeals Board; Chris Van Zant, Planning Commission; Jason Daniel, Wrecker Service Advisory Board; and Robin Hunt, Zoning Board of Appeals. • Approved the consent agenda, which included: a $25,300 agreement with Jericho Design Group for design services to convert the old Fire Station 9 (at 1398 Reinhardt College Parkway in Canton) into a community center.

During the Dec. 15, 2020, meeting commissioners:

• Proclaimed Dec. 15, 2020, Frankie Shepherd Day in Cherokee County. Shepherd is a lifelong Cherokee County resident who has devoted her time to bettering the community. Her list of volunteer duties includes 19 years on the Board of Elections. • Heard Commissioner Carter appoint/reappoint the following people to boards for a four-year term: Jennifer Kovacs-Animal Control Advisory Board; Harold Silvey-Cemetery Preservation Committee; Mark Preetorius-Recreation and Parks Advisory Board; Roy Taylor-Construction Board of Appeals; Berry Dabbs, Jr.-Fire Code Appeals Board; Dee DaSantos-Impact Fee Appeals Board; Lisa Tressler-Planning Commissioner; Kevin MooreWrecker Service Advisory Board; Lisa Tressler-Zoning Board of Appeals.