There won’t be any new apartments built in the city of Clarkesville, at least for the next six months. The Clarkesville City Council voted to place a temporary moratorium on new multi-family developments. City manager Keith Dickerson suggested the move during Monday night’s city council meeting.
According to Dickerson, a developer recently submitted an application for apartments that would not necessarily be considered “workforce” housing but would be more in line with individuals with incomes typically found among middle-class management-type personnel.
“As we move forward from this, do we need any more apartments?” Dickerson asked the council. “I am thinking we are about full on apartments. I think it is time that we put a cap on the amount of apartments we are going to have here in town.”
The city manager explained to the council that placing a moratorium on this type of development would stop developers from building apartments. It also would deter future developers from investing in property that they know the city won’t allow to be used for that type of development.
“We have been able to keep them away from the downtown area,” Dickerson stated.
“How long can you stop this?” Dickerson asked Clarkesville City Attorney Janney Sanders. “Courts don’t favor moratoriums,” Sanders replied. He explained that the city could do a temporary moratorium to give the city time to develop an ordinance to address the issue.
Dickerson said now is the time to address multi-family housing in Clarkesville since the city is currently working on its comprehensive plan. However, Sanders cautioned the council against putting a total ban on this type of housing. He instead encouraged them to address the matter in the comprehensive plan and through the city’s zoning map.
Clarkesville City Council Member Franklin Brown brought up the issue of the city’s water and infrastructure. More multi-family developments would require the city to upgrade both systems. The city attorney stated that could be another reason to have a temporary moratorium on such developments.
The city council voted unanimously to impose a six-month moratorium on multi-family developments effective immediately.
