[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6600787,"mediaKeyId","3020360-796dde06cf4e8e8a6f85dbadd71725f9","parentId",3020360,"title","Cherokee County commissioners approve routine business and multiple contracts; key administrative votes at a glance","audioSeconds",7671,"startMs",92000,"endMs",7763000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020360-796dde06cf4e8e8a6f85dbadd71725f9&start=92&end=7763","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020360-796dde06cf4e8e8a6f85dbadd71725f9/thumbnail_92000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6600787/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Cherokee-County-commissioners-approve-routine-business-and-multiple-contracts-key-administrative-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600787-66d7079dd9e2e78ece1c05634a7563e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770808307&Signature=Z3fbXSFLqQ-vQCS5gXqoGmlmiNvZv6sq2tFgoA~R-qiClm~Ye5Rq9CIHUjgbJXH2BhYfs84qLwElwi2moKuF33M1G8X8is975eIpRq1C1wT1ZOVqpEK7b-ZbBuw-htfWsWuJUFN3Nb6m2UTBhr7sqd77yVQPU98liQHgKMptTUi9lHSGHTZXtwTRXy8DmLzqWRM7qWfwgm3uxO1n6X80zrrzt4WbVFF-5nYlMjs8hcU-TMUNOoDvsEAbIKUKgQdfupFYwXRjp0zx8473FWTf3UdMM2I1xY-DOr9DPA4mFQ1u7ECrFbjJ-TRanetLLYnON~eODi7-tEhCXW~kUEqykA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cherokee ","date","2025-04-15T18:06:00Z","article","At their April 15 meeting the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a series of administrative and budget actions by voice vote, including consent‑agenda items and multiple county manager recommendations. Below are the principal approvals and their outcomes.

Reappointments and administrative items
- Reappointed Pam Karnes, Eric Raine and Hugh Beavers to the Sequoia Library System Board through June 30, 2028 (motion carried unanimously).
- Accepted two advisory openings on the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) regional advisory council and noted the county is still recruiting candidates.
- Approved minutes for the April 1, 2025 work session, executive session and regular meeting (unanimous).

Intergovernmental and infrastructure actions
- Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Canton for the county to include four miles of Canton‑city roadways in the county’s 2025 resurfacing program; the city will reimburse the county for actual completed work (unanimous).
- Approved an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for right‑of‑way mowing and maintenance along State Route 20 from the Canton city limits to the Forsyth County line; county to perform more frequent mowing and some right‑of‑way maintenance (unanimous).

Procurement, contracts and capital
- Authorized the sale of a 4.0‑acre portion of county‑owned land on Old Nelson Road to the City of Nelson for $120,000; proceeds to be returned to the fire department’s SPLOST budget (unanimous).
- Approved multiple technology and vehicle purchases including network switches for the Bluffs Administration Building (approx. $81,382) and an IT pickup truck (approx. $40,105); staff said these are funded in the FY2025 budget (unanimous).
- Approved a construction services agreement with Gilbane Building Company to add a civil courtroom at the Justice Center (approx. $399,017 plus a 10% contingency; SPLOST funded) (unanimous).

Emergency, public safety and human services
- Authorized acceptance and transmission of FY2026 Department of Human Services contract renewal (Katz demand‑response transit funding) and grants for EMS trauma equipment and other programs; allowed officials to execute agreements if approved by state agencies (unanimous).
- Approved a 5‑year Learning Management System contract for Fire & Emergency Services with Vector Solutions (annual cost approx. $45,840.63) and other routine Fire/EMS infrastructure items such as Motorola change orders for station alerting (unanimous).

Planning and transportation
- Directed staff to submit comments to the City of Ball Ground on a proposed annexation and rezoning for a 63.84‑acre development (199 single‑family lots), expressing concerns about density, topography and access; the planning commission will review the city rezoning.
- Approved condemnation resolutions to acquire two remaining parcels for the Ball Ground Highway at Howell Bridge Road roundabout project (unanimous), after unsuccessful negotiations.

Alcohol retail policy
- Adopted an administrative implementation policy to reopen the application process for packaged distilled spirits retail stores in specified Macedonia and SR‑92/Bales Ferry areas (unanimous).

Consent agenda items approved as a block included vehicle and equipment surplus auctions, budget amendments to accept state and private grants for EMS and senior services, and veterinary services agreements for the animal shelter. All consent items passed on a single unanimous voice vote.

The board adjourned after approximately two hours and 15 minutes of public business. Individual agenda items may require additional documentation or future follow‑up by the responsible county departments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cherokee - Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - Apr 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved multiple routine and contract actions at its April 15 meeting, including intergovernmental resurfacing agreements, purchases, grants and plan‑level directives on a proposed annexation.","taxTitle","Cherokee County, Georgia","taxId",12793,"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},6600793,"Cherokee County tightens helipad conditions for Rocky Morris; board adopts amended special‑use permit",1448,4187000,5635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020360-796dde06cf4e8e8a6f85dbadd71725f9&start=4187&end=5635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020360-796dde06cf4e8e8a6f85dbadd71725f9/thumbnail_4187000.jpg","/articles/6600793/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Cherokee-County-tightens-helipad-conditions-for-Rocky-Morris-board-adopts-amended-specialuse-permit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600793-bc1ec5a236c2a8aa43c7ef83f53116ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1770808307&Signature=F6p1KqHDferLv1jc7qOA6BFghot6xHctDe5A7SuTMTWb1zP7wa~fzlbTY476r~~IogWTo-BKCPElZHjAVH7XMomm7JfZ5fPC4swTngyO9yThzuDsNVw6vwz6iR05zRm~8OnVvBMM-ha0LW~UC9DPQ3hRGvAq05Uto1qfL-RkWNXpUoCFWg3lVzBMajtdDaldLDa6KQ~UwbDSEbxELY0lCAtZK0YISkhqu6xi1WE0X1hKIO~jguScITR4aRdBdkRv-QwZd10lyOM-3Gt-ZqaQGkKtL8qVUxpTKZr3MN8TUjG2QLGfxERlFuaIV3L6Gc7K3uFdsTA~VhmxtaZAaGJOgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners on April 15 adopted revised conditions for a previously approved helipad special‑use permit associated with Rocky’s Lake Estates at 2700 Cox Road.

The board opened a public hearing on a board‑initiated modification to Case 202206‑026S and considered a staff proposal that tightened multiple permit conditions: clarification that the SUP covers a single helipad, a required signed affidavit from the operator accepting continuing responsibility for SUP conditions, explicit reference to applicable Federal Aviation Administration standards, and language allowing the board to terminate the SUP immediately if conditions are violated.

Operator Rocky Morris attended and said he had incurred significant expense and worked with county staff to comply with prior requirements. Morris and staff discussed the practical location of the pad, which sits in the lake on the property; the board accepted revised language to allow the helipad to be located closer than 200 feet to a property line when the adjoining parcel is owned by a related party to Rocky’s Lake Estates, while preserving a 200‑foot buffer requirement with respect to third‑party parcels.

Resident commenters raised safety concerns about helicopter operations in a populated area and asked the board to weigh those risks. Staff and the operator discussed prior violations and corrective actions; staff indicated that the amended conditions were intended both to clarify expectations and to provide stronger enforcement tools if future deviations occur.

County Attorney Davis proposed specific wording to condition 6 clarifying the 200‑foot standard and related ownership exceptions; the board adopted that language. Commissioner Wetherbee moved to approve the amended SUP conditions; Commissioner Carter seconded and the board voted unanimously to adopt the revised conditions.

The adopted conditions require a compliance affidavit from the property/operator, clarify permitted approach and flight‑path limitations, confirm compliance with FAA standards where applicable, and state that deviation from approved flight paths or other material violations may lead to immediate revocation of the SUP. The resolution updates the 2022 approval rather than creating a new SUP.","The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners adopted amended conditions for the helipad special‑use permit at Rocky's Lake Estates (2700 Cox Road) on April 15, clarifying the single‑pad definition, adding an operator compliance affidavit, and tightening enforcement language.",{"_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},6600797,"Board approves legacy-use reestablishment and variances for We 2 Friends Coffeehouse; approval limited to that business",140,4088000,4228000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020360-796dde06cf4e8e8a6f85dbadd71725f9&start=4088&end=4228","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020360-796dde06cf4e8e8a6f85dbadd71725f9/thumbnail_4088000.jpg","/articles/6600797/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Board-approves-legacy-use-reestablishment-and-variances-for-We-2-Friends-Coffeehouse-approval-limited-to-that-business","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600797-81d5217f7065671aa7e4ef0e3c1bf33f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770808307&Signature=XwE4NFI8vfsGvEEb4ACygC9NGNzDKPHrMV7K-d7XsmHIRul~3aK1ahdqxKzQzqmICB-6sxRSr5MVovNOHqK5~be6KSyY69ETgS2N6lBsiPZvlQDv0hQ~~naq6s0oxmMglr8Z4GhrR15zsIAX9Zc1UNX6-FNDuziRhbItRRJi8g89eeeSL9U2X67gEIwzWo-4DKZRztWhbHeGCNvNEz1kC~ZZIJ2yfmki~soT8r60SBGx1s6~W9iKcx7xr81xuTgUS544kygwz09dOBWhH949NwTBsugMPhW5c-bM9pPNRfv4BSoDcSfwhsQjBQkpk80W1kuUEPeSnR3vCMONkvrWig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a legacy‑use application and two associated variances on April 15 to allow a historic general store at 4651 Union Hill Road to reopen as a coffeehouse and gift shop under the name We 2 Friends Coffeehouse LLC.

Community Development staff presented the application as a legacy‑use request under changes to the zoning code that allow reestablishment of historically significant uses. Staff said the building was constructed in 1950 as JB Mathis General Store and that the applicant had documented the building’s history and limited exterior alterations.

The request included two variances: one to reduce the minimum required parking spaces from 12 to 9 and another to waive a standard requirement to install a deceleration lane on the nonresidential driveway. The board considered the legacy‑use criteria in Article 13 of the zoning ordinance and the companion variance standards before voting.

Applicant John Thompson, who lives adjacent to the property and said his family has historical ties to the site, told the board the proposed operation aims to foster local community ties and preserve the building. “We seek to welcome the community,” Thompson said, describing the project as focused on local gathering rather than large commercial expansion.

Commissioners discussed adding a condition to limit the approvals to the current business. Commissioner Weatherby offered a motion to approve the legacy use and the variances and commissioners agreed to amend the approval to include a sunset/limitation: the legacy use and the variances apply only to We 2 Friends Coffeehouse LLC. The board approved the motion unanimously.

Under the terms of the approval, if the business ceases operation, the special allowances (the legacy‑use designation and associated parking and driveway variances) will not automatically transfer to another operator; future uses would need to seek approval. Staff noted the rezoning application earlier associated with this property had been withdrawn by the applicant and that the planning commission had previously recommended denial of rezoning to commercial uses in this agricultural area.

The board’s action preserves a 1,200‑square‑foot cinder‑block structure identified in the application materials and acknowledges an award the restoration received from History Cherokee in 2024. Commissioners said the decision is intended to encourage preservation of other historic general‑store structures in the county.","The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a legacy-use application and two variances allowing a historic general store on Union Hill Road to reopen as We 2 Friends Coffeehouse LLC, with a condition limiting the approvals to that operator.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6600802,"Cherokee County denies Milton Pro Players Park noise-exception request after heated public comment",2851,196000,3047000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020360-796dde06cf4e8e8a6f85dbadd71725f9&start=196&end=3047","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020360-796dde06cf4e8e8a6f85dbadd71725f9/thumbnail_196000.jpg","/articles/6600802/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Cherokee-County-denies-Milton-Pro-Players-Park-noise-exception-request-after-heated-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600802-fc8826cddaa263e5ab0727d9a21628c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770808307&Signature=D5CJQeJDYuBh6244DlzQczYM~qLWFwsjFIyLrRnKXMqlnQ3eWSI9lkkUoFN2U~aieCgA4CmedOpQagRRGKNZO9-pmGgo~zvDQaamXoRmGWM-bYaADw4-iNgQLuL3fpdedH2tis4CaMwyiuKUEr8CmvSKa1aPSLLGIAt18vnrjUtFHPoT2mwGvq9saVTBw810S-dpbVJBW96~wxpHsVXcdEJIcXSO4LTSzFBgxo6j8X61k70HdybO5CsKz2qmyiu4-9s49mimS-KW0hE7xBEd7TayJ60oUUsfvmgTNl2aARohNk6hLxQhivA5GHEdgyPZMuB-8JaKk1YXYnL3b4AznA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners denied a noise-exception permit for Milton Pro Players Park on April 15, voting 4–1 to refuse the facility’s request to operate on Sundays beginning at 10 a.m. for a 12‑month period.

The denial came after a public hearing that drew nearly a dozen speakers who alternately supported the park as a youth and regional tournament venue and criticized its scale and impacts on adjacent residents. Commissioner Wetherbee moved to deny the application; Commissioner West seconded and the motion carried with Commissioner Ragsdale dissenting.

Planning staff member Dana Spade told the board the application sought an “exception permit to operate outside of quiet hours, starting at 10AM on Sundays” and summarized the county’s noise provisions, noting quiet hours include an extended Sunday period. The application sought the exception to allow weekend tournaments and practices to finish without interrupting play.

Attorney Vincent Russo, representing the applicant, said the park hosts competitive teams from across the state and that an inability to start earlier on Sundays would effectively bar tournaments from continuing at the facility. “We believe that getting a noise exception permit will allow us to avoid that fight,” Russo told the commission, saying his client wants to avoid protracted litigation over the ordinance.

Residents and nearby property owners told a different story. Attorney Phil Price said operators had made repeated promises to neighbors that were not kept. David Klanick, who said he lives directly behind the park, said the site had “hijacked” a residential area and described repeated noise, traffic and lighting impacts. A representative for a senior living facility said Sunday mornings are a rare respite for residents and asked the board to deny any extension of operations into that period.

Commissioners debated technical and legal issues raised by both sides, including the county’s current ordinance language and the absence of decibel-based standards. “Our noise ordinance is vague,” the chair said during discussion, and several commissioners noted uncertainty about how a judge might rule if the matter proceeded to litigation. Still, several members said the board’s duty is to preserve neighbors’ quiet enjoyment of property.

The denial does not change the underlying citation that is pending court action; Russo told the board that the operator expects to address enforcement issues through the legal process if necessary. The board’s vote was limited to the permit request on the table.

The commissioners who voted to deny were Commissioner Carter, Commissioner West, Commissioner Wetherbee and Commissioner Weatherby; Commissioner Ragsdale voted against the denial. The board closed the hearing and moved on to subsequent items on its agenda.","After more than an hour of public testimony, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted 4–1 to deny a request by Milton Pro Players Park (operated by Mike Zito) for a one-year noise exception to allow game activity beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cherokee County commissioners approve routine business and multiple contracts; key administrative votes at a glance

Cherokee County tightens helipad conditions for Rocky Morris; board adopts amended special‑use permit

Board approves legacy-use reestablishment and variances for We 2 Friends Coffeehouse; approval limited to that business

Cherokee County denies Milton Pro Players Park noise-exception request after heated public comment