County Commission Highlights

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners

Feb. 16 meeting highlights.

Four public hearings will be held at 6 p.m. March 16 in the ballroom of the Cherokee County Administration Building. The hearings will concern: the possible extension of the moratorium in Hickory Flat until June 15 or until the adoption of the Hickory Flat Area Plan; rural subdivisions, a topic that was discussed at the Board of Commissioners’ annual planning retreat in January; changes to the county’s development regulations, and changes to the county’s tree ordinance. Commissioners also: • Proclaimed Feb. 23, 2021, as Rotary Has Heart Day and Rotary Day in Cherokee County. Canton Rotary Club President Shane Moore and Towne Lake Club Immediate Past President Erika Neldner were present to accept the proclamations on behalf of their respective clubs. Feb. 23 is the Rotary’s 116th birthday. • Approved the purchase of 20 tasers along with holsters for the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office in the amount of $28,356.20. • Adopted an ordinance related to a new seal and logo for the county. The ordinance provides guidelines for enforcement and penalties for the use of the seal and logo without approval. • Approved a proposal from GDOT for the acquisition of 1.655 acres of right of way for the Ga. 20 widening project – Ga. 369 to Ga. 371, from the county-owned library parcel at Old Mill Road in the amount of $248,300. County Manager Jerry Cooper asked commissioners to allocate the original amount paid for the property back into the SPLOST line item for the Sequoyah Regional Library System.

• Approved a new senior deputy clerk position for probate court. • Approved paying $8,881.81, to install flashing lights at the crosswalks on Ga. 140 and Ga. 108 around Reinhardt University. Reinhardt University, Cherokee County, and the city of Waleska are splitting the cost of the total project to be completed by the Georgia Department of Transportation. During the Feb. 2 meeting, comissioners: • Approved a $94,500 agreement for engineering design services to be provided by Kennedy Engineering and Associates Group to complete sidewalks on Hickory Road between New Light Road and East Cherokee Drive, and Stringer Road between Hickory Road and Ga. 140. The project, originally to be completed in two phases, now will be done in one phase. • Approved a request by Jonathan Grigg and Maurita Johnson for a Special-Use Permit for a woodworking shop on 3.33 acres at 5505 Bells Ferry Road with conditions that the permit was for Grigg and Johnson only, and future occupants of the property would have to complete the Special-Use Permit process if they choose this type of use. An additional condition included use of equipment to mitigate dust and fumes. • Remanded back to the planning commission a request by Manor Restorations to rezone 73.79 acres at 7351 Knox Bridge Highway from Agriculture to R-20 Single Family Residential for a residential conservation design community. • Approved appointing Buzz Ahrens to the Cherokee County Board of Health to fill the remainder of a term expiring on Dec. 31, 2022, previously held by Russ Flynn.

State of the City Highlights, Future Plans

A positive review of 2020 and hopeful outlook for this year was presented virtually by Mayor Bill Grant last month. Grant’s address was focused on moving Canton forward with purpose and intent, primarily through guidance of the city’s newly established Roadmap for Success. View the full speech at www.Facebook.com/cityofCanton. Here are the highlights. Even while responding to the constantly changing dynamics of the pandemic, we achieved our goal of creating and adopting our Roadmap for Success at our last council meeting in December. This strategic plan will guide how our city grows and develops over the next 15 years, and the input we received from our citizens was invaluable. Now, the challenging, yet exciting, work of implementing the Roadmap begins as we move Canton forward by adhering to eight guiding tenets: • Creating Great Neighborhoods • Celebrating the Diversity of our

Community • Advancing Regional Economic

Success • Enhancing Historic Downtown

Canton • Sustaining Our Natural

Environment • Connecting Citizens to Parks and Recreation • Improving Infrastructure for

Future Demand • Leading with Excellence In the spirit of aligning our initiatives going forward, I have organized our 2020 accomplishments according to the eight tenets in our Roadmap, and I hope you will agree the state of our city is stronger than ever and growing more exciting every day.

A new corporate park is planned for 50 acres along Knox Bridge Highway by Cherokee Office of Economic Development.

Creating Great Neighborhoods

Safe, attractive, connected and inviting neighborhoods are the foundation of Canton’s hometown appeal. All residents deserve quality housing that reflects our community character through thoughtful design and responsible development practices. Accomplishments from 2020: • The creation and adoption of Canton’s Housing Needs Assessment & Market Study by Thomas P. Miller Associates. • Councilman Shawn Tolan served as a Housing Liaison for Council to look at housing opportunities and innovation. • SPLOST funding to top-coat streets in Great Sky, Laurel Canyon, Towne Mill, Iris Park, Norton Lake and Park Village. • 481 residential construction permits. • 459 residential certificates of occupancy.

On the horizon: • Academy & Main’s Solis Canton will bring new residential development to downtown Canton. • Council working together to create opportunities for innovation in workforce housing. • A new-resident information package. • A code compliance sweep of the city to improve property maintenance.

Celebrating the Diversity of Our Community

The diverse cultures and communities within Canton are vibrant and engaging. Economic, cultural and social diversity is encouraged throughout the city. Accomplishments from 2020: • Creation of a citizen participation application. • Launch of the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, with members Lorraine Aragon, Carlos Hill, Shannon Rankins, Carmen Tanner Slaughter, Kathy Strom, Tiffany Bird and Patty Reveles. • Translation of key documents for our Spanish-speaking community including the city budget, Roadmap for Canton’s future and A Guide to Starting a Business. • Launch of the Public Safety Citizens Advisory Board working with Councilor Will Carlan, with members Richard Kalasky, Dwayne Waterman, Dr. Susan Padgett Harrison, Jonathan Kesler, Tracye Busbee, Jason Parham and Greg Magee.

On the horizon: • Love for Canton’s Sunnyside neighborhood, including improved recreation, community branding, and gateway improvements. • Formal launch and growth of CanTeen. • Integration of cultural opportunities into annual event planning to highlight our diversity and unique Canton experiences.

Utilizing existing business strengths in industry, healthcare and an entrepreneurial spirit, Canton seeks to expand its economic footprint. Diverse and innovative business growth will support jobs, attract investment and create tourism opportunities. Accomplishments from 2020: • Continued growth by Northside Hospital-Cherokee on its medical campus. • The approved rezoning of 50 acres along Knox Bridge Highway by Cherokee Office of Economic Development for a new corporate park. • Soon-to-be delivered Tourism Study for Canton by the state of Georgia. • License to Recovery Program for locally owned small businesses; $175,000 impact to 250 businesses. • 95 commercial certificates of occupancy. • A Guide to Starting a Business in Canton. • 166 new business licensees in 2020.

On the horizon: • Masterplan revisions to The Bluffs to make the area more attractive for regional tourism project development. • Annexation discussions for the city’s first winery village. • Masterplan revisions to Riverstone to include a crystal lagoon and residential condominiums. • A new Canton Tourism program to grow regional travel.

The Etowah River Trail Map shows existing sections and those under construction.

Enhancing Historic Downtown Canton

Preservation, entrepreneurship, arts and culture, and community-centric activities are cornerstones of economic development within downtown Canton. Benefiting the entire city, downtown redevelopment creates jobs, attracts investment, increases property values and generates tourism. Accomplishments from 2020: • Opening of retail, restaurant and office spaces at The Mill on Etowah. • Launch of the Downtown Gift Card matching program to invest $40,000 into downtown businesses during the pandemic. • Growth in downtown filming, including Marvel’s “Hawkeye,” currently filming in the Jones building. • New businesses: Branchwater, Great & Plenty, Bizarre Coffee, Bananas & Beehives, Simply Ola’s, Maria Sims Group - ERA Realty, Menagerie on Main, Fury Volleyball Club, i3 Vertical, Yonder Agency, Califino, Cotton Mill Exchange, Nava Taqueria, Thrive Coworking, Click Funnels and Liberty Hill UMC/Timbers on the Etowah.

On the horizon: • The request for qualifications and proposals this spring through a real estate adviser to redevelop the interior of the Jones building. • Construction of downtown Solis Canton residential complex. • Canton and Cherokee County will move forward with parking deck projects. • Councilor Brooke Schmidt spearheaded an effort for a new mural along Railroad Street that will start in the coming days.

Sustaining Our Natural Environment

Canton residents appreciate our natural beauty, proximity to the mountains, ample green spaces and the Etowah River. Projects will promote interaction with nature through sustainability, stewardship of resources, and innovative designs. Accomplishments from 2020: • The city has added information to its codes and websites to encourage planting native species in landscape designs for development, thanks to the hard work of Councilor Sandy McGrew. • New LAMA software for online submission of plans, licenses and permits. • Completion of plans and awarding of a bid for the construction of the water pollution control plant. Councilor Nick Estes helped lead that effort.

On the horizon: • Construction at the water pollution control plant. • A sustainability review by Schneider Electric. • Revision to the Reservoir Management Plan at Hickory Log Creek. • Solar panels and an electric vehicle charging station within the Canton parking deck. • Integration of alternative fuel vehicles in the city fleet.

State of the City

Continued from Page 43

Connecting Citizens to Parks and Recreation

A healthy community provides access to nature. Residents should be connected with local parks through trails, sidewalks and additional transportation options. Recreational opportunities should be available to and inclusive for all. Accomplishments from 2020: • Completion of the Etowah River Trail eastward from Etowah River Park and under I-575. • Approval of a grant from the Atlanta United Foundation and Local Initiative Sports Corporation for a mini-pitch soccer field at Harmon Park. • Approval of a grant for an outdoor plyometric gym at Heritage Park. Purchase of parkland in the bend of the Etowah River near the bowling alley for future trail expansion.

On the horizon: • Construction of the Etowah River Trail from Heritage Park to Boling Park. • Masterplan for Harmon Park improvements. • Trail master plan to incorporate Riverstone and The Bluffs. • Citywide sidewalk plan.

Improving Infrastructure for Future Demand

Citizens, businesses and visitors need access to the Canton infrastructural network to succeed in their goals. Transportation, power supply, gas availability, water and sewer, and digital connectivity are part of building a great network for success.

Accomplishments from 2020: • Continuation on improving concerns with inflow and infiltration of stormwater into the sewer system. • Booster pump stations at Laurel Canyon and Amos Road started. • New cell tower at The Bluffs. • Working with Councilor JoEllen Wilson on transportation improvements that included an award for design funding of improvements on State Route 140 at Riverstone/ Marietta Highway. • Public WiFi at City Parks using CARES Act funding.

On the horizon: • $65M Sewer Plant Expansion begins. • Engineering on road improvements at Reinhardt College Parkway and State Route 140. • Completion of Booster Pump Stations. • Moving to Automatic Meter Reading technology for utilities. City council, staff and citizen boards will foster civic participation and serve ethically, transparently, responsibly and efficiently.

Accomplishments from 2020: • The Roadmap for Canton’s Future. • Virtual shift during pandemic. • Two city council retreats and a full slate of elected officials. • Hired Lauren Johnson to serve in the communications and marketing specialist position. • New assistant city manager, Nathan Ingram. • Promoted Stephen Merrifield to police chief and Wendel Turner to deputy chief. • Promoted Melissa Forrester to finance director. • Continued operations with the lowest millage rate in the area.

On the horizon: • Eliminating the planning commission. • Achievement of solid bond ratings (Aa2 for the City, and Aa3 and AA- for the utilities). • New board and commission appointments. • A new city website. • Improving employee benefits.