Roadmap for Success

City Councilor Sandy McGrew explained, “We, as city councilors, bring sustainability to the table for new developments by asking them to:

1. Invite the Georgia Native Plant Rescue Program onto the property to remove any plants that are endangered or native.

2. Under the direction of the city’s plant palette, we ask the developer to require their landscape architect to use as many native plants as possible.

3. Check and recheck to make sure stream buffers are protected.”

Something the council often hears is residents want to save the greenspace and protect the wildlife, and having the sustainability tenet has made this a priority. The city purchased property in South Canton (Ward 3) to use as park land, and purchased the last 300 acres on Lake Canton (formally known as Hickory Log Creek Reservoir) to preserve greenspace and make a master plan to reflect the vision of citizens and council for that area.

“In an effort to sustain our residents’ wellbeing and inner peace, we’ve also expanded our trail system to pass through some of the most beautiful natural areas and along the Etowah River,” McGrew said. “And, on top of that, we have our police department patrolling the trails for pedestrian safety on electric motorcycles.”

On Oct. 6 at 5 p.m., you can help the city “cut the cord/ribbon” to celebrate the grand opening of its newest infrastructure project, the downtown parking deck at City Hall. The deck includes two exciting sustainability initiatives: a solar array that spans the top level, and will help offset the electric costs of City Hall, and 10 electric vehicle charging stations. Don’t miss this exciting event … it’ll be electric!