[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6081440,"mediaKeyId","2942461-6d93d59d268a6fd623fb22802b9e0bed","parentId",2942461,"title","Cherokee regional land bank proposed as a tool for workforce housing, presenter says","audioSeconds",1452,"startMs",328000,"endMs",1780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2942461-6d93d59d268a6fd623fb22802b9e0bed&start=328&end=1780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2942461-6d93d59d268a6fd623fb22802b9e0bed/thumbnail_328000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6081440/Woodstock-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Cherokee-regional-land-bank-proposed-as-a-tool-for-workforce-housing-presenter-says","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081440-fda6f5a987cfa1560bc380ec25014d6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201116&Signature=h3-~Z88GMqC31VIQ7fkpt36sll5f5x3RUVhzdpsQt3vlOVJmDyHMlRfibfzJAuvLcE1YAC3~Oc9QMxZgqNIndXWCIWhYsoBuUAKqHGB4Z4eNA8rIdoNBUBHlvfY6AZ5XR0cVPCLEAahOwD4Y2986fEseaTs-Z3~4rEFqZzLuntL4DgyfKkQJRmB0fnvxAGAqynN8M-1XVTRfUax4eMf5AJZ30YotrTtTVW9LWGjI1v68MgrTRtJ1CrIo6sZREEXXmyr-4V63-1Yy8E~oP7GoFMnZMknMdRzPHt9F838oLVP5isxi--5zIllgCedqOyES7BoAMHSxv2cNWIEUYjqT~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Woodstuck GA ","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Cherokee County representative Brantley Day told the Woodstock City Mayor and Council on March 17 that the county and one or more cities are exploring a Cherokee Regional Land Bank to acquire, hold and repurpose tax-delinquent or donated property for workforce and attainable housing.

Day said the tool is authorized under Georgia law and described the basic structure and powers that counties and cities have used elsewhere. He said the draft intergovernmental agreement (IGA) the county has prepared would give each participating jurisdiction one vote on the land bank board and require jurisdictional approval before a project could proceed.

Day said the land bank would act as a depository of property and could, in some cases, extinguish tax liens after the statutory waiting period to return blighted or delinquent parcels to the tax rolls. \"Think of land banks as depositories of property, tax delinquent property, sometimes blighted, sometimes donated,\" Day said. \"The land bank holds the property until it's conveyed and repurposed for a project consistent with the purpose of the land bank.\" He added that the board would adopt bylaws and policies and that local jurisdictions would retain zoning and land-use authority.

Why it matters: presenters and councilors framed the land bank as a potential tool to address rising housing costs and the concentration of investor-owned single-family homes. Day said the county has \"about 5,000\" investor-owned units and argued a land bank could \"short circuit the market\" by lowering land acquisition costs and combining public and private financing to deliver homes affordable to teachers, firefighters, nurses and other local workers.

Key details from the presentation:
- Statutory basis: Day said land bank statutes in Georgia date back to 1990 with a revision in 2012 and that a land bank requires a county and at least one city to form it. (Day identified the legal framework generally; the transcript did not provide a statute citation.)
- Governance: Day proposed an odd-numbered board with one appointed representative per participating jurisdiction, plus a representative from the Cherokee Office of Economic Development ratified by a majority of jurisdictions.
- Powers: Day described the land bank's typical power to take title to tax-delinquent property, to extinguish liens after the statutory period, and to convey property for redevelopment consistent with the land bank's purpose.
- Funding and staffing: Day said initial operating costs are typically transaction-related and that land banks can be seeded with donated property sold at below-market rates to create an operating fund. He said many county land banks begin without dedicated staff and use shared support from county and city personnel.
- Intended outcomes and targets: Day said the county hopes land-bank projects would target workforce households, citing a planning target of 60% to 80% of area median income (AMI) as an example of an affordability range the land bank might support; he stated Cherokee County AMI was \"about 105,000 and change\" in his presentation and illustrated how 60'to'80% AMI maps to household incomes of roughly $63,000'$84,000.

Questions from councilors focused on checks and balances, marketing and long-term affordability. One councilor asked whether a participating jurisdiction should have veto authority over purchases in its limits; Day said he had considered that and would work on language to address it. Another asked how land banks market and list properties; Day said many land banks list properties and work with real estate agents and that Woodstock could learn from peers including the Bartow-Cartersville example.

Councilman Moon, who said he has served on the Cherokee County Development Authority, urged that Woodstock take a seat at the table even if the city never directly uses the land bank's services: \"If we don't have a seat at the table, we won't be part of the discussion,\" he said.

No binding decision: Day confirmed the county previously adopted a nonbinding interest resolution on Feb. 20 and that Canton was considering the measure; the interest resolution does not obligate cities to join the IGA. He asked cities to consider a similar nonbinding resolution if they want the county to continue working on the IGA.

What was not decided or remains unspecified: the draft IGA text was described as near ready but not yet finalized in the packet; specific funding commitments, the exact makeup of the initial board, and the detailed process to preserve long-term affordability (for example, deed restrictions or resale controls) were discussed as options but not specified in the presentation.

Next steps: Day said staff will share the draft IGA for attorney review and asked the council to schedule discussion time if it wants to consider the interest resolution or join at a later date. \"If you want to involve the land bank, then involve it; if you don't, you don't have to,\" he said.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Mar 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Cherokee County representative Brantley Day told the Woodstock City Mayor and Council on March 17 that the county and one or more cities are exploring a Cherokee Regional Land Bank to acquire, hold and repurpose tax-delinquent or donated property for workforce and attainable housing.","taxTitle","Woodstock City, Cherokee County, Georgia","taxId",51313,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081431,"Resident warns council about federal \"Project 2025\" proposals; council retreats to executive session and votes unanimously",417,4095000,4512000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2942461-6d93d59d268a6fd623fb22802b9e0bed&start=4095&end=4512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2942461-6d93d59d268a6fd623fb22802b9e0bed/thumbnail_4095000.jpg","/articles/6081431/Woodstock-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Resident-warns-council-about-federal-Project-2025-proposals-council-retreats-to-executive-session-and-votes-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081431-6145a66545cfd3a0afc8f8fcf527812e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201116&Signature=BXi4eR78-OO6ikn4GAQzEgRft7Ru~xbmSfeZMGyjmWnkRXsyS7Vyk0FAU6vXUW5AEstXWu93BEx9S1swFIg1e2hIuEuFAuLEOo5J8TyyRTMLPg9BvJ6Jp4VKOQuz3Z9Ich53jOBMA-JZ2rHft9NLnfFAjdKIRhgv6aGedzyuMm627f4oklxnIG7P~ximXmlLDjy6dlRCdnNZrFu8tul5KCq7jHxd4bmICyDK3kib6BuKImSxkMVxwqfDXq3IVaa-6NIZV8-Ch7RYIn5Pjfeo-vYmtyZ1whfuFKGwC1vc1Zq6QNYxqGLVYMkJCYdj-3lTPM5IJTgdLqR~FQrlciRafQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident urged the Woodstock City Mayor and Council to prepare local safeguards against federal policy changes and budget cuts during the March 17 work session before the council entered executive session and took procedural votes.

Martha Jean Schindler, who identified herself as a Woodstock resident, described a list of federal changes she associated with the so-called \"Project 2025\" agenda and urged local action to protect libraries, benefits and services. \"I'm not here to argue politics. I'm here because I care about this city and the people who live here, and I know you do too,\" Schindler said. She asked the council to review nondiscrimination policies, work with schools and libraries to secure funding and partner with community organizations on issues such as food insecurity.

After public remarks the council voted to enter executive session. The motion to retreat into executive session was moved by Councilman Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Collins and carried 6 to 0. Council members recessed and later voted to return from executive session on a motion by Councilman Johnson, seconded by Councilman Aik; that motion also carried 6 to 0. The meeting was then adjourned on a motion from Councilman Wolf, seconded by Councilman Johnson; the adjournment motion carried 6 to 0.

City staff noted this was a work session and no formal action was anticipated after the executive session votes.

","At the March 17 work session resident Martha Jean Schindler urged Woodstock leaders to prepare for federal policy changes she said could affect libraries, benefits and local services. The council then moved into executive session by a 6'0to'0 vote; the council later returned and adjourned with unanimous votes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081437,"Woodstock council reviews $13.8 million Dupree Park master plan with pickleball courts, turf field and nature area",1237,2807000,4044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2942461-6d93d59d268a6fd623fb22802b9e0bed&start=2807&end=4044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2942461-6d93d59d268a6fd623fb22802b9e0bed/thumbnail_2807000.jpg","/articles/6081437/Woodstock-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Woodstock-council-reviews-138-million-Dupree-Park-master-plan-with-pickleball-courts-turf-field-and-nature-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081437-090b1a49170024ee15c3837af516bf2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201116&Signature=Ey8kSCWU~3BEqLTPBzBuY5nTio3HHzmflJ386-98dVcYyZJeOEvKLVI8MampndTBFOYqeCSVrMEcBZ4ALCBA2cZsQwRRn65g~ossc7O~PZDBd4myzHesvbXxss6uTjkEPZzvejmx5hAhGxzr5hPwQpBUgzdqlB27Z3Ho81oafZLntNORTiH-F6JDDXMCIQ2e2h~KmSPrhqtsSRmpPTphSR0hVQCeUy6E-ZpZDM9Sh4bs5IVJu72NqFcICyFrq~s~Z1Ro3YCcfL88-16zI9kUmgQjciQiOMGIqHGZ0mwW7SWIUnpcmijVE0SRWQB0n1H5PJCi9peX0mHkxkn~QjvHCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City parks staff presented a final master plan for Dupree Park at the Woodstock City Mayor and Council work session on March 17, laying out a multi-phase concept that would add courts, playgrounds, a nature area and a synthetic turf field.

Parks project manager Jonathan Borden (presenter name: Mr. Borden) said the plan grew from public input meetings and online surveys. He told council the first public input meeting drew roughly 60 attendees and that online responses showed strong interest in disc golf, pickleball and nature programs. \"The top five facilities that came out of the public input trends was a BMX pump track, pickleball courts, trails and greenways, open green spaces and playground,\" Borden said.

Plan highlights and phasing:
- Courts: A 10-court complex dedicated to pickleball plus four tennis courts (with pickleball striping possible) to yield up to 14 pickleball courts in total. The design seeks to serve both tennis and pickleball players.
- Turf field: Borden proposed renovating the existing worn natural field to synthetic turf because the site lacks irrigation and experiences heavy wear; he and councilors discussed cool-surface options and materials without PFAS.
- Nature area and learning meadow: The northeast portion of the park along Park Avenue and Arnold Mill would be preserved as a nature entrance and educational meadow with limited parking and ADA access points.
- Youth complex: A combined playground, outdoor basketball court and a BMX pump track/skate area are included in the master plan.
- Canine memorial and plaza improvements: An upgraded memorial area and a larger plaza near the concessions and shelter were included to expand event capacity.

Estimated costs and phasing: Borden presented three phases with order flexible by city priorities: Phase 1 (pickleball courts, playground, parking) estimated at $7,100,000; Phase 2 (open space, canine memorial, large parking) estimated at $5,500,000; Phase 3 (learning meadow) estimated at $1,300,000; total $13,800,000. \"Those phases could be done in different order, it doesn't have to go sequentially,\" Borden said.

Council response and concerns: Council members praised public input and the iterative design. Councilman Wolf commended staff and the consultants for balancing competing requests: \"I think this is a reasonable compromise and that we were addressing what we were being requested to do,\" he said, noting the dual-purpose court striping that would serve both tennis and pickleball players.

Council members asked about turf heat, durability and material safety. One member urged the city to specify cooler turf options and to ensure turf infill materials are free of PFAS; Borden and others noted modern turf systems include cooler options and alternative infill materials. Staff also confirmed that gates or bollards could be added to prevent after-hours vehicle access.

Budget and schedule: The city indicated that funding for Dupree's phases is not yet identified; the mayor reminded the public that the city is currently investing in multiple parks projects and that Dupree's construction will be phased over time. \"The funding for those 3 phases of Dupree is not identified right now,\" the mayor said. \"This is not a project coming 4 months from now. This is a long term plan.\" Borden said the master plan will appear on the council agenda for a future vote on adoption.

","City staff presented a final Dupree Park master plan at the March 17 work session that proposes phased improvements including a 10-court pickleball complex (with four convertible tennis courts), a synthetic turf field and a learning meadow; total estimated cost across three phases is $13.8 million.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cherokee regional land bank proposed as a tool for workforce housing, presenter says

Resident warns council about federal "Project 2025" proposals; council retreats to executive session and votes unanimously

Woodstock council reviews $13.8 million Dupree Park master plan with pickleball courts, turf field and nature area