Regular Meeting Minutes - September 3, 2009

DAWSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
G.L. PETE GILLELAND CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL
415 HIGHWAY 53 EAST, DAWSONVILLE
6:00PM

ROLL CALL: Those present were Chairman Berg; Commissioner Pichon, District 1; Commissioner Swafford, District 2; Commissioner Connor, District 3; County Attorney Homans; County Manager Tanner; County Clerk Simpson and interested citizens of Dawson County. District 4 Commissioner Nix was absent.

OPENING PRESENATION: Karen Armstrong – Cancer Support Group

INVOCATION: Chairman Berg

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chairman Berg

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chairman Berg invited everyone to attend the 9-11 Memorial Service at Station #1 on Friday, September 11, 2009 beginning at 9am and the Chamber Picnic on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.

Commissioner Connor announced the Lions Club golf tournament was successful in collecting over $11,000.00.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion passed unanimously to approve the minutes of Regular Commission Meeting held on August 8, 2009. Swafford/Pichon

Motion passed unanimously to approve the minutes of Regular Commission Meeting held on August 16, 2009. Pichon/Swafford

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Motion passed unanimously approve the agenda with the removal of item K5) Approval to hold public hearings regarding the Proposed Changes to the Alcohol Ordinance from the agenda. Pichon/Swafford

PUBLIC COMMENT:
None

ZONINGS:
None

PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Proposed Changes to the Residential Districts (3rd of 3 hearings)
Chairman Berg asked whether anyone wished to speak on the Proposed Changes to the Residential Districts.
Arlene McClure, 772 Stowers Road West, Dawsonville, GA stated she feels allowing short term rental housing within neighborhoods is a safety concern. She asked the Board to consider the issue prior to vote.

Jane Graves, 224 Park Cove Road, Dawsonville, GA understands the need for Vacation Rentals at Big Canoe but feels it would open up residential areas across the county for a lack of protection. Gate communities are more equipped with registering renters to maintain security while it is more difficult to do so in a more densely populated area.

George David, 651 Deer Leap Road, Dawsonville, GA asked the Board for more time to review the documents. He requested two more additional hearings on the revisions. He expressed concerns over short term rentals in residential areas.

Leo Sheppard, 15 North Chestatee Place, Dawsonville, GA asked the Board for additional hearings. He cited many instances where he had concerns about the short term rentals, set backs on lake property, amenities area allowances, etc.

Vernon Smith, 182 East View Drive, Dawsonville, GA reminded the Board that Vacation-Cottage Restricted (VCR) is an existing zoning where short term rentals may be considered. Mr. Smith feels there will be regulation issues with the document as submitted.

Terri Tragesser, 44 Gold Bullion Drive, Dawsonville, GA reported she attended a security class on residential areas. One of the biggest values to residential policing and crime prevention was knowing your neighbors. With the changes to the ordinance as proffered, allowing short term rentals would negate any security features in the immediate residential area. She asked the Board table the vote and take additional feedback from HOAs and POAs in the County.

Randy Gross, 58 Toto Creek Drive, Dawsonville, GA states his neighbor has been doing short term rentals for the past two years. He stated most of the clientele that rents the lake property next to his are out of control. Several noise and nuisance complaints have been filed with Dawson County Sheriff’s Department. He states the problem has gotten progressively worse.

Pepper Pettit, 81 Holly Hill Road, Dawsonville, GA cited several concerns with short term rentals. He feels it would open up the County for ‘spot zoning’ allowing for commercial zoning in residential districts. He asked the Board to table to vote and re-consider the issues at hand.

After much discussion on the Board, motion passed unanimously to postpone the vote for 30 days to allow staff to return to the Board in a Work Session to help refine the ordinance, and publish and hold two additional hearings. Pichon/Swafford

OLD BUSINESS:
None

NEW BUSINESS:
Senior Center Quilt Raffle and Southern Supper
Motion passed unanimously to approve the Senior Center fundraiser as submitted. Connor/Swafford

Senior Center Yard Sale
Motion passed unanimously to declare all items as surplus and to hold the Senior Center Yard Sale. Connor/Swafford

Board of Education ELOST Election
Motion passed unanimously to approve the Board of Education ELOST Election. Pichon/Swafford

Approval to hold public hearings regarding the CIE Update
Motion passed unanimously to hold public hearings regarding the CIE Update and Transmittal. Connor/Pichon

Beer & Wine License: Dawson Pizza LLC – d/b/a Johnny’s New York Style Pizza
Motion passed unanimously to approve Beer & Wine License request by Dawson Pizza LLC, d/b/a Johnny’s New York Style Pizza as submitted. Pichon/Connor

ADJOURNMENT

Motion passed unanimously to adjourn.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
None

APPROVE:Mike Berg, Chairman
ATTEST: Davida Simpson, County Clerk