Politics & Government

Council Gives Go Ahead to Buford Highway Median Project

More shade coming to Lillian Webb Park and the mayor and council also approved funding a study to find ways to improve the Holcomb Bridge Road railroad crossing.

At Monday's City Council meeting Norcross welcomed a new police officer to the force, and made headway on a number of proposed projects.

On the agenda :

Officer Neil R. Butler, who has recently joined the department, was officially sworn in by Mayor Bucky Johnson.

Council heard the request for rezoning with a special use permit for the property at 3135 Reps Miller Road to allow for a place of worship. Councilman Shubert proposed denying rezoning due to a number of factors including inadequate parking but his motion was not seconded. Councilman Riehm proposed approving the rezoning to allow the special use permit with the condition that the applicant would have to return for any changes. Council passed 4-1 with Shubert voting against.

City Manager Rudolph Smith discussed briefly the possible property tax millage rate increase from the current rate of 6.424 to 6.552. He asked council to allow him until the Aug. 19 meeting for more time to study a number of figures before assessing whether to recommend an increase. The mayor said that if an increase is recommended there would be several public meetings before council would vote. 

Council gave the go ahead, voting 5-0, to the Buford Highway Median Project which gives GDOT a contract to begin acquiring land for the right of way. The project, which will take approximately six years to complete, includes widening a portion of Buford Highway and adding landscaped medians. 

Forsight Group, an engineering firm from Peachtree Corners, made a presentation on the Structured Parking Concept for the Community Center Area. The proposal would provide 300 parking spaces on the Carter property, which is adjacent to the community center. The city will seek two additional bids as required by the city's purchasing policy.

The Shade Structure proposal for Webb Field was discussed. The council ultimately decided to scale down the project and approved the cost of two pergolas at $24,958. The original project included shade sails and shade sails ground cover for a total of $56,106. The funding comes from SPLOST recreation funds. The pergolas are expected to be complete in 6-8 weeks.

Last on the agenda was the Holcomb Bridge Road Railroad Crossing Intersection Study. Council approved funding the study 5-0. An ARC grant will largely fund the study. After the study is complete, the city will have the ability to apply for ARC grants to help fund the project should the city decide to go forward. The city is seeking ways to make the crossing safer for automobiles and pedestrians. The study is a six-month process said the mayor which, he added "ties in nicely with our comprehensive plan."



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