Those of you who might be stuck in traffic during the short repaving of Chapel Hill Road in front of the Chapel Hill Middle School, may have noticed a sign in a vacant lot at the Shoppes of Chapel Hill. The Douglasville Veterinary Hospital, located at 6220 Fairburn Road, is planning to expand its service footprint in southeast Douglas County, catering to the likes of pet owners who would like a vet closer to home in the Chapel Hill community.

Nearby local veterinary hospitals are located on Highway 5, and there is a Banfield Pet Hospital on Chapel Hill Road.

The land was previously owned by Charlotte Camp who lived in a 1870s two-story house, which possibly could have been built during plantation times in Douglas County’s early history. In 1999 the house had some significance that it may have been listed on the National Register of Historical Places, however this did not prevail. In 2005 the house and surrounding land was flattened for a shopping center and adjoining subdivision

The Douglas County Sentinel is reporting today that the Douglas County Board of Education voted unanimously last night to lower the millage rate from 19.4 mills to 18.7 mills, while the bond millage rate went up a tenth.

WORK SESSION AGENDA
AUGUST 6, 2007
10:00 A.M. – BOARD ROOM

CITIZENS’ INPUT

PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation of college scholarship awards by the Douglas County Connection. (Gwen Summers Redwine)

2. Douglasville Lady Tigers. (Tanya Jackson)

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3. Regular Commission Meeting of July 17, 2007 and Special Called Meeting of July 31, 2007.

PLAT APPROVALS – FINAL PLAT ACCEPTANCE (Cynde)
4. Kings Bridge
5. Meritage Commons

BUSINESS

6. The Fire/EMS Department received a $1,000 donation from Wal-Mart for fire safety education materials and handouts. The Sheriff’s Enforcement Department received $1,350 in donations for the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team’s equipment. Amend the budget by increasing Donations by $2,350 and Fire/EMS by $1,000 and Sheriff Enforcement by $1,350. (Jennifer)

7. Juvenile Programs requests $20,000 for restitution and user fees. Funds are collected by Juvenile Programs and deposited into the General Fund to cover the expenses. Amend the budget by increasing Restitution revenue by $10,000; User Fee revenue by $10,000 and Juvenile Programs by $20,000. (Jennifer)

8. The Clerk of Superior/State Court received $72,765 from the Georgia Superior Court Clerk Cooperative Authority resulting from a Clerks’ Authority Internet Project and UCC, Deed, Lien, Plat and PT61 internet prints payment. This department is requesting these funds be placed in their budget for the purchase of office supplies, copier, heavy duty printer, chairs, desks and renovation of new office space. Amend the budget by increasing Clerk of Court revenue and Clerk of Superior Court department by $72,765. (Jennifer)

9. The Board of Health requests additional funds to assist in their operating expenses. This is due to the State approving a salary adjustment for all employees, the adjustment for some of the nurse and program assistant positions and the additional expense of a family practice physician. Amend the budget by transferring $17,000 from General Appropriations to the Board of Health. (Jennifer)

10. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement between West Central Technical College and Douglas County Fire and EMS for clinical rotation for EMT students. (Scott)

11. Juvenile Services is applying for $7,500 in funding from the Council of Juvenile Court Judges to purchase psychological evaluation services and drug screening kits for the grant cycle year October 1, 2007 - September 30, 2008. There are no matching funds required. If awarded, authorize the Chairman to sign the contract and approve budget amendment. (Jenny)

12. Acceptance of Family Connection Grant that funds Douglas CORE, authorize Chairman to sign all necessary documents and approve new contract for Amanda Bryant. (Jenny)

13. Authorization for Chairman to execute employment agreement with Jamie Cohran as Assistant to the County Administrator.

14. Authorization for Chairman to sign grant application to renew VOCA grant. (Anne)

15. Authorization for Chairman to execute FY’08 Aging Services Contract with ARC (Atlanta Regional Commission).

16. Authorization to enter into Project Framework Agreement with GDOT for intersection project #0007069 located at SR 5 (Bill Arp Road) and Bright Star Road and authorize Chairman to sign all documents. (Keary)

17. Proposed 2008 LARP List. (Keary)

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sheriff Phil Miller invites Douglas County citizens to tour the Douglas County Jail on Saturday, August 18th, from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel, Litigation, Land Acquisition

Its no surprise that the Douglas County housing market is over-saturated, taking a hit in permits issued which is more likely a byproduct of overdevelopment of the last few years and a declining market that has affected the nation. Foreclosures on are the rise, its harder to attain a loan for a new home and the incentives (I like to call them freebies) are slowly disappearing. The Douglas Neighbor tells of builders having “an average of 12.9 months’ supply of unsold houses in inventory” while high-end homes in the $400,000+ region “have a 44-month supply.”

From the Douglas County Sentinel, the Douglas County Home Builders Association feels that the drop in permits is because “builders are liquidating existing inventories.” Both local newspapers released articles within the last week discussing the latest housing market situation. You can read the Neighbors article here and the Sentinel article here.

CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE
CITY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting

August 2, 2007
7:30 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Public Safety Committee/Dennis McLain
a. Authorize the City Manager to give notice on or before August 10, 2007, of the City’s intent to purchase 21.3 acres near Georgia Highway 92 (Fairburn Road) for the purpose of new Police Department facilities, and authorize the Mayor Pro Tem to sign all documents necessary to close said purchase on or before August 20, 2007.

b. Authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with the Douglas County Board of Education for the School System to compensate the City of Douglasville for the police officer assigned to the new Factory Shoals Middle School as a School Resource Officer (SRO).

5. Community & Economic Development Committee/John Schildroth
a. Authorize the City’s Community and Downtown Services Director to re-advertise for sealed bids for construction of a cover over the stage on O’Neal Plaza.

b. Authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with the City’s Convention and Conference Center Authority for providing funds for an option on the property at 6697 Church Street, known as the Hair Barn, in order to expand the City’s Downtown Conference Center.

c. Authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with Fowler Design Associates, Inc., for planning and architectural services for expansion of the City’s Downtown Conference Center.

6. Planning & Zoning Committee/Michael Carter
a. Authorize the Mayor to sign the grant agreement and other necessary documents for the City’s receipt of $20,000 from the Georgia Forestry Commission’s 2007 Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program for an arborist for the City of Douglasville.

b. Appoint selected members of the City Council to represent the City of Douglasville in two annexation cases where the Douglas County Board of Commissioners has filed objections.

7. Parks & Recreation Committee/Roy Mims
a. Authorize the City Manager to give notice to the property owner of the City’s intent to exercise its option to purchase approximately 137 acres on Bright Star Road, and authorize the Mayor to sign all documents necessary to close the purchase of said property.

b. Adopt a resolution concerning Labor Day activities scheduled in Hunter Park, downtown Douglasville, and at the West Pines Golf Course on Monday, September 3, 2007.

8. Finance Committee/Henry Mitchell III
a. Authorize the Mayor to sign the City of Douglasville’s Federal Annual Certification Report required under the City’s Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement with the United States Department of Justice.

b. Announcement of public hearings to be held at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 3, and at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 10, concerning the tentatively adopted 2007 tax millage rate; and announcement of the special meeting of the City Council to be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 10, to adopt the 2007 tax millage rate.

9. Information Technology Committee/Henry Mitchell III

10. Maintenance & Sanitation Committee/Charles Banks
a. Adopt a resolution directing the City Manager to notify the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Transportation that, in response to residents’ requests, the City of Douglasville is deleting Pinecrest Drive from the Livable Centers Initiative sidewalk program and is asking for the funds to be transferred to other LCI sidewalk projects.

b. Appoint Brian Chesson to Post 1 on the City’s Keep Douglasville Beautiful Board, to complete the un-expired term which extends through December 31, 2008.

11. Transportation Committee/Michael Carter

12. Personnel & Organization Committee/Roy Mims

13. Ordinances & Intergovernmental Committee/Callye B. Holmes
a. Adopt an ordinance to enact Section 2 18 of the City’s Administration Ordinance, requiring individuals to submit certain background information, to be considered for appointment to any City board or commission.

14. Other Business

15. City Attorney/Joel Dodson

16. Chief Assistant City Attorney/Suzan Littlefield

17. City Manager/Bill Osborne

18. Comments from Citizens and Delegates

This evening the Google Earth Team uploaded the latest batch of KML files to the Google Earth Gallery, a weekly showcase of the best Google Earth tours created by members of the Google Earth Community. This week Losing Georgia’s Interactive Tour makes the showcase, which is a great feat since the Losing Georgia Project is in its third year.

The Interactive Tour uses Google Earth geographically to demonstrate the placements of new development from June 2005 to January 2007, historical places of Douglas County, and the inherent loses that come with an overgrowing community. A new version of the Interactive Tour is in the works and should be out sometime in August.

Entries of the showcase were by invitation only via the Google Earth Team. “Your creation is a testament to the role Google Earth is playing in enhancing people’s lives, and we hope you continue to produce other works of inspiration in the future,” Google Earth Team.

The Losing Georgia Project is supported by the local community, primarily financed by myself, and donations are welcome to keep the website alive.

The Douglas County Sentinel is reporting today about the completion and ribbon-cutting at the improved, widened Hospital Drive that was paid for by 2002 SPLOST funds.

The Douglas County Sentinel is reporting today that a bill has passed in the Georgia House of Representatives approving a $500,000 federal award to widen the Lee Road Bridge. The federal award would allow the bridge to be widened two accommodate four lanes of through traffic, a raised center median with turn lanes and five-foot sidewalks.

The House bill must go to the State Senate for approval.

With today’s release of the Planning and Zoning Meeting Agenda, to be held on August 7, the rumor posted by local blogger Elizabeth about Walgreens wanting to build at the corner of Central Church and Chapel Hill Road has become true. The applicant, United Realty Development Company, is requesting a zoning change from R-LD (Residential – Low Density) to C-G (Commercial – General).

Those residents who approve or oppose this development are strongly encouraged to attend the meeting at Citizen’s Hall. The Future Land Use Map represents the properties as Community Village Center. At least six other pharmacy style establishments are within a 5 mile radius of the zoning request. Recently the Board of Commissioners and the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the development of another shopping center at Anneewakee and Chapel Hill Road, adjacent to the new Publix.

A previous post about the future of this intersection looked into the future prospects of the property. Considering that three large commercial developments have been approved in the immediate area in the past two years, this development has a high percentage of being approved. What do you think about Walgreens moving in next door to Kroger?

PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
AND
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MEETING AGENDA

August 7, 2007

APPROVAL of MINUTES

July 3, 2007

AGENDA

S2007-39 | Tab [1]
Dr. Ajile Rahman/Islamic Center of West GA – Request for a Special Use Permit RENEWAL (permanent) to allow religious services at the property located at 4055 Anneewakee Road: Land Lot(s) 89, District 1, Section 5, Parcel(s) 14. Lot size: 3.28 acres.

S2007-40 | Tab [2]
Wellstone Housing, LLC – Request for a rezoning from R-LD to R-TC for senior ranch condominiums at the property located at McKown Road: Land Lot(s) 632, District 18, Section 2, Parcel(s) 3. Lot size: 23.66 acres.

S2007-41 | Tab [3]
Shepherd of the Hills UMC – Request for a Special Use Permit to allow a church at the property located at Dorsett Shoals Road: Land Lot(s) 41, District 1, Section 5, Parcel(s) part of 1. Lot size: 24.47 acres.

S2007-42 | Tab [4]
Merritt & Barbara Gilbert – Request for a Special Use Permit to allow an in-law suite at the property located at 6532 Fox Run: Land Lot(s) 111, District 3, Section 5, Parcel(s) 12. Lot size: 5.12 acres.

Z2007-43 | Tab [5]
United Retail Development Company, LLC– Request for a rezoning from R-LD to C-G for a retail establishment (Walgreen’s) at the property located at Central Church Road & Chapel Hill Road: Land Lot(s) 59, District 1, Section 5, Parcel(s) 15, 16, 17 & 18. Lot size: 1.87 acres.

S2007-44 | Tab [6]
Robert P. Brown – Request for a Special Use Permit to allow a 2,400 square foot storage building at the property located at Tyree Road: Land Lot(s) 190, District 3, Section 5, Parcel(s) part of 3. Lot size: 4.99 acres.

Other Business:

Consider the following amendments to the Unified Development Code:
Article 3, Section 345 (c) – Retail sales of seasonal items

ADJOURN