Demorest is putting the brakes on new developments. The city council Tuesday night voted unanimously to impose a six-month building moratorium. The moratorium will give city leaders time to review and possibly modify Demorest’s comprehensive plan, land use maps and ordinances and other development regulations.
During the next six months, the council will take into consideration policies, regulations, and development standards to encourage quality growth in Demorest, the council says.
The moratorium went into effect on April 4th and will expire on October 12, 2023. The council can lift the moratorium sooner if it chooses.
What does the moratorium mean for the city of Demorest?
While the moratorium is in effect, Demorest will not accept any new applications for annexations, conditional use permits, changes to conditional use permits previously approved, variances, waivers, or amendments to the Land Use Plan.
The moratorium also states that Demorest will not accept permit applications for any type of building or land use activity “for any development or construction on any land that is authorized for residential use and is larger than one acre or for any non-residential use.”
What is exempt from the moratorium?
The moratorium will not affect applications that were submitted and filed with the city before April 4, 2023.
Demorest will continue accepting building permit applications for fences, pools, renovations to existing structures and previously platted subdivisions, construction on government and quasi-government property, and property owned by private educational institutions.
Flexibility
According to Demorest City Attorney Thomas Mitchell, the council can modify the moratorium if it chooses.
“If something special comes up, we can modify this moratorium, correct?” asked Mayor Jerry Harkness during the meeting.
“You can,” Mitchell responded.
That flexibility helped convince at least one councilmember to vote for the measure.
“As long as we can come back to it – if there is something unforeseen [that] goes on – I think that’s key to the whole process,” said Councilmember Donnie Bennett.
“If I wanted to build a ten story building on my lot so I can see the mountains better above the trees, I might have a problem?” one member of the audience asked half-jokingly.
Bennett responded, “You might,” then continued, “but if a tree lands on your house and you need to build another one, you won’t have a problem.”
After Mayor Harkness confirmed that development of “existing platted lots” is allowed under the moratorium, Councilmember Shawn Allen made the motion to approve the resolution. Councilmember Andrew Ferguson seconded the motion and the rest of the council voted for it.
Second city to impose moratorium
The moratorium comes at a time of accelerated development the county. Demorest is the second municipality in Habersham to impose a moratorium in response to that growth.
On February 6, the Clarkesville City Council imposed a six-month moratorium on construction of multi-family housing units. The move followed the opening of a 72-unit apartment complex west of the city on Highway 115.
Another new large apartment complex is set to open in Demorest this month. The 150-unit Villas at Four Four One complex is located just north of Habersham Medical Center on Historic Highway 441.
Several other apartment complexes and large-scale subdivisions have been built in Habersham County in recent years.
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