After 16 months of discussions, changes and updates, the Demorest City Council approved its land use ordinance during Tuesday’s regular council meeting. The approval came in two separate motions. One to approve the zoning map and the other to approve the language and procedures of the ordinance. The council passed both measures unanimously.
Prior to council passing the ordinance, City Manager Mark Musselwhite assured the more than two dozen citizens in the audience that procedures are in the ordinance that developers must follow. He explained that developers would have to file an application that would be quite comprehensive.
The application would include a letter of intent for the property/development, an analysis stating the need to rezone that has 13 requirements, as well as a site plan. Musselwhite told the audience that in some cases applications wouldn’t be accepted due to the lack of sewer availability in some portions of the city.
The city currently has a building moratorium in place that has been in effect for nearly a year. That moratorium is set to expire Friday, November 15. The council did not renew the moratorium during the meeting. Effective Monday, November 18, developers will be able to submit applications for new developments based on the new land use ordinance.
Other business
The council approved expending the remaining balance of the city’s ARPA funds. More than $441,000 will be spent on water and sewer system improvements, GEFA grant contribution, fire hydrant replacement, and turnout gear and storage for the fire department.
The city was coming up on the deadline to have the funds obligated by December 31 or risk losing the remaining money. The funds will have to be paid out for the projects by the end of 2025.
