City Council considers approval of 55 foot condominium complex
City Council November 17, 2021
FANNIN, Ga. — During the Nov. 16, 2021 Blue Ridge City Council meeting, representatives of WAMM Development, LLC sought approval of their planned condominium complex to be located at 200 West First Street.
WAMM Development attorney speaks to Blue Ridge City Council.
The biggest issue of the night was whether or not WAMM Development will be allowed to continue with their project. The proposed condo would have a height of 55 feet, 20 feet over the allowed maximum for new buildings in the Central Business District (CBD). The council brought up the height restriction, but representatives for WAMM Development say because the rezoning was approved before the height moratorium, they closed on their property after the moratorium had expired, the city attorney suggested they would be grandfathered in, and they spent significant money on the project, that a claim of detrimental reliance is applicable. On the other hand, the Blue Ridge City Council says the condominium project still falls under the height restriction because the developers should have been aware of the moratorium, the amended ordinance, and known that the city attorney does not have final say for the council.
Claims of miscommunication, convolution of the timeline, and haphazard debates quickly filled the meeting. After over an hour of heated conversation, the council voted to table the approval of plans until their December meeting. The council cited their desire to look over the timeline of events and seek further legal counsel.
The condominiums would be behind Burger King and United Community Bank.
The plans for the condominiums were provided to the council.
Many citizens of Blue Ridge have voiced their support for restrictions on development. For many, especially those in attendance at the meeting, the proposed condominium complex is another example of overdevelopment in the city. Discussion on the issue is bound to make its way through the community, and the Nov. 16 meeting provided little clarity. Using public records and official meeting minutes, FYN has compiled a timeline of important dates surrounding the issue, which will be an important component of the council’s decision on the condominium approval. Ultimately, the decision will be based on legality. Council members Mike Panter and Robbie Cornelius both raised concerns over potential lawsuits if the city denies the approval. The Blue Ridge City Council and WAMM Development representatives will meet again on Dec. 21, 2021 at 5 p.m.
Timeline:
March 3, 2020: Robbman Scott Kiker attends a Blue Ridge Planning Commission meeting where he requests a rezoning for property located at 200 West First St. The planning commission approves the request, with conditions. John Soave makes the motion to apply these conditions: The applicant would have to pay for all water, sewer, road and sidewalk upgrades. The applicant would also have to bring upgrade and permit applications before the City Council for approval. The motion carries, and Chairman Rick Skelton announces a second hearing to take place at the March 10, 2020 City Council meeting.
March 10, 2020: Robbman Scott Kiker attends a city council meeting seeking approval of his rezoning. The council approves the rezoning, as recommended by the planning commission, with a 3-0 vote.
Oct. 20, 2020: The Blue Ridge City Council votes 5-0 to enact a moratorium on CBD buildings over 45 feet tall. The moratorium is set for 120 days, expiring on Feb. 17, 2021.
Feb. 2, 2021: The Blue Ridge Planning Commission is set to discuss zoning changes. Prior to the meeting, the planned change to the ordinance is to reduce maximum CBD building heights from 60 feet to 45 feet. Mark Engledow makes a motion to amend changes, setting a new permanent CBD maximum height of 35 feet. The commission unanimously approves.
Feb. 9, 2021: Project Manager Jeff Stewart speaks at a city council meeting. He recommends that the council approve the changes to Ordinance BR2021-06. The council votes 5-0 to have the city attorney amend the ordinance, and plan for a first and second reading.
March 3, 2021: WAMM Development, LLC acquires the 200 West First St. property.
March 9, 2021: The first reading of the proposed amendments to Ordinance BR2021-06 takes place. Deciding they need more community input, council sets two town halls for March 30, 2021 and April 13, 2021.
March 30, 2021: Town hall meeting takes place.
April 13, 2021: Town hall meeting takes place. A city council meeting follows, where the second reading of the amended Ordinance BR2021-06 is scheduled to take place. The council tables the reading to continue working out details.
June 15, 2021: During a special called meeting, the city council hosts the second reading of amended Ordinance BR2021-06.
June 18, 2021: A letter from the City Clerk notes that Mayor Whitener was presented with amended Ordinance BR2021-06. On June 22, 2021, Mayor Whitener returns the ordinance with intent to veto.
July 6, 2021: A letter from Mayor Whitener recommends the council allow the veto. In this letter she also explains her reason for the veto.
July 13, 2021: The Blue Ridge City Council unanimously overrides Mayor Whitener’s veto.
Other Business
The city council tackled several issues at their meeting, including $3,000 bonuses for full time city employees.
Fannin Economic Development Updates May 28, 2021
Business, Development Authority, Fannin County Chamber, Feature News, Press Release May 28, 2021
- Be unemployed through no fault of their own.
- Be monetarily eligible (have enough wages from past employers to qualify).
- Be able to work.
- Be available for work.
- Actively seek work.
- Be registered with Employ Georgia.
- Not refuse suitable work, if offered.
Zoning request for Hastings Development tabled
Community, Downtown Blue Ridge, News January 17, 2021
Blue Ridge, Ga. – A development that has drawn the attention of many in Fannin County has once again come to a temporary halt as the developer seeks to have land rezoned in the City of Blue Ridge to accommodate the plans.
What has become known locally as the Hastings Development is a residential development set in the City of Blue Ridge with access points to Highway 515 and College Street. The 14 acre property sits adjacent to Overlook Subdivision.
The proposed development itself has seen a number of changes based on community feedback and most recently the city zoning board gave approval for an 83 town-home high density site. The Blue Ridge City Council has final say on whether zoning of the land will be changed for the development to take place.
Developer Johnnie Hastings addresses concerns of the citizens and presents a revitalized plan for the development.
The Hastings Development has been met with concerns ranging from the possibility of high volume traffic on narrow College Street to whether the city’s infrastructure can handle the additional stress of the new units.
A vote was expected to take place at the Jan. 12 Blue Ridge City Council meeting but with last minute changes to the proposed plans, a motion was made to table the decision until next month’s meeting.
“We listened,” Johnnie Hastings, the developer of the property, spoke to the council and citizens, “What is the need in the community? What is it that you guys need in terms of housing?”
Hastings explained that the original concept for the development dating back to Jan. 2020 was for affordable housing in the $250,000 range, but after gathering further community input the design was changed to upscale town-homes in the $450-500,000 range.
“I want to do something…that’s good for the community, that we can all get around,” Hastings said as he revealed the revised plan based on community push back to the suggested 83 town-homes, “Believe it or not but that’s my heart.”
Hastings’ new plan consists of 56 freestanding family homes at 4 homes per acre. The price will still be in the range $500,000 per home.
“We’re here to compromise and bring a little unity to this project,” Hastings said, adding, “At the end of the day you’ll be very pleased with what I did up there.”
Citizens who had come to the meeting to speak in opposition or at least express concerns over the development were taken off guard with the proposed changes to the site.
The main concerns echoed by the citizens present was the need for the new changes to be approved by the planning commission or flow through proper channels, whether the city’s infrastructure could handle the added usage and traffic coming onto College Street.
“It concerns me that you would vote on this when the planning commission has not,” one citizen spoke.
“The sewer system won’t handle it. The water system won’t handle it,” another citizen voiced.
Utility Director Rebecca Harkins addressed the concerns of city infrastructure stating that the city has more than enough capacity remaining in their system to handle the proposed development.
“I don’t have a position on this development,” Harkins stated adding that she simply wanted to present the public with the facts.
Harkins confirmed that the city did have capacity to handle the additional units to the system and that there are issues that need to be fixed and updated throughout the city’s infrastructure, but that those issues would have to be addressed regardless of the development adding on.
“I agree that it needs to be worked on and it needs to be worked on diligently,” Harkins said of the city’s current infrastructure and reassured residents that the development would cost nothing to the city: “The city does not fund any portion of the water and sewer system for a new development.”
Harkins also pointed out that the developer would be financially responsible for any impacts on the system from the development to the plant caused directly by their connection.
Mayor Donna Whitener confirmed that City Attorney James Balli had sent in writing that council could vote on the rezoning if Hastings had lowered density but that it would need to go through proper channels before coming to council if the density had increased.
Council member Mike Panter made a motion to table the vote until the next regular meeting in Feb. giving the council more time to look over the proposed changes.
All council members voted in favor of tabling the vote with the exception of Council member Rhonda Haight who stated her reason as “I think we’ve kept people waiting long enough”.
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