The Clarkesville City Council will hold public hearings Monday on the city’s 2025 budget, millage rate, and a controversial annexation and rezoning request for property on Rocky Branch Road for a potential 80-unit housing development.
The council is expected to vote on all three matters immediately following the public hearings at the council’s regular meeting on September 16.
Prior public hearing
Last month, the Clarkesville Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Rocky Branch annexation and rezoning request. More than 50 people attended the hearing. The Planning Commission approved the property owner’s request after the public hearing during its August 13 meeting.
The commission’s approval passed the measure up to the city council for consideration.
During the Planning Commission public hearing, local developer Bill Gresham told those in attendance that the request asked for the property to be annexed into the city so the property could tie into the city’s infrastructure. The rezoning portion of the request was to allow for multi-family residential units to be built on the property, specifically townhomes.
The concept drawing of the property shows a mixture of 80 townhomes and single-family dwellings in the development. The proposed development is being billed as a golf cart community. Clarkesville approved a golf cart ordinance in 2022, allowing people to drive golf carts downtown. The ordinance outlines specific weight limits and equipment considerations for carts to be road-eligible.
SEE RELATED: Clarkesville residents voice concerns about annexation/rezoning of Rocky Branch property
However, one issue with the infrastructure was discussed during the public hearing. The sewer infrastructure is not currently able to facilitate a development of that magnitude in the Rocky Branch Road area. Gresham told those in attendance that the developer had discussed with the city possibly prepaying the water and sewer fees prior to development to help offset the cost of upgrading the sewer lines. City Manager Keith Dickerson added that the council was aware of the sewer issues in that area and that taxpayers would not have to pay for the upgrades and repairs to the system.
Another issue brought up during the public hearing was traffic density on Rocky Branch Road. The property is near the intersection of GA 17/ Toccoa Highway. Zoning Administrator Caleb Gaines told those in attendance that the state and the county were already conducting a study for that intersection.
Budget and millage rate
Dickerson will present to the council the city’s 2025 budget during Monday’s regular meeting. The draft budget presented to the council during its retreat last month included a full millage rate rollback. Citizens will have an opportunity to provide their input immediately following the presentation during the budget public hearing.
SEE ALSO: Clarkesville City Manager proposes 2025 budget, includes rollback
Immediately following the budget public hearing, the council will consider a resolution adopting the 2025 budget and the 2024 millage rate. The general fund budget is anticipated to be $2.9 million for 2025 and the millage rate will rollback from 6.011 to 5.428 mills for 2024.
Work session
The council will hold a work session prior to the regular meeting. During the work session, the council will receive an update from Partnership Habersham President Rope Roberts.
It will also hold a discussion about the city’s leash law and changing the city’s charter.
The Clarkesville City Council will meet Monday, September 16, for its work session and regular meeting. The work session will begin at 5 p.m. and the regular meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Both meetings will be held at Clarkesville City Hall at 123 North Laurel Drive in Clarkesville.
