[{"_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",6566029,"mediaKeyId","3210777-8a5049c70b6cc8de40f70e0287105ad6","parentId",3210777,"title","Board approves Free Home school purchase, multiple infrastructure and equipment actions; opts not to provide a rollback rate on tax notices","audioSeconds",1257,"startMs",4993000,"endMs",6250000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3210777-8a5049c70b6cc8de40f70e0287105ad6&start=4993&end=6250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3210777-8a5049c70b6cc8de40f70e0287105ad6/thumbnail_4993000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6566029/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Board-approves-Free-Home-school-purchase-multiple-infrastructure-and-equipment-actions-opts-not-to-provide-a-rollback-rate-on-tax-notices","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566029-eea648ad9bc277c4bf03740f2be15621/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870231&Signature=ZOOg0QteOVL6iKLIx1VD5OOfowgAIi6ftFaPhLTVwVLl~cxLd4xeBr4Y0JS9ZcQne3HwqGHLVOnvjveGkQZ4j-UAYCcqRCsI9sDrd6n6mL3IXN7ohQ3ZnW0wFA6PAJ-utdXQYp9-ynNAOdWKT10JkxkpA4MrcVIOxYwp-mTwBulHfI4Ck~EkWsr0UEkTL-xonRUDI-xxfrgR1bl5TaaG8D16i15KSHhV21CYsboBBy3z5qnY8D0lnTZJpZ0CpcYtD-Y2zFVlME9BwSIJAoI13rUKcyr5CWGa7qM9~1TT5hj~Ri~zKo9OPlAElcUcqZoCDWgWdbRXzj1hX78YXqRM4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cherokee ","date","2025-05-06T18:20:00Z","article","At its May 6, 2025 meeting the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a package of county manager and consent‑agenda items that included property transactions, infrastructure and equipment purchases, planning contracts, and an administrative decision about tax‑assessor notices.

Key approvals included:

- Purchase of former Free Home Elementary School site: The board authorized acquisition of 6.428 acres from the Cherokee County School System for $974,100 for additional Recreation and Parks fields and to preserve the historic Free Home gymnasium. The county manager said funding comes from prior county property sales.

- Sale of a 22.3-acre county parcel on Blaylock Road: The board approved a sales agreement for $290,000 for land largely consisting of wetland/pond area that county staff said has no practical county use.

- Crown Castle fiber and telecom agreements: The board approved a Crown Castle agreement to bring fiber to six county facilities, with a one-time construction cost of $95,000 (covered by SPOST) and recurring monthly service of $10,200 for a five‑year term once active.

- IT and communications equipment: Approval to purchase network switches for the Justice Center ($98,661.72) and to replace legacy contracts; approval to purchase a used 2018 Altec bucket truck for traffic maintenance ($96,500); and authorization for a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe for the coroner (order price $54,275; motion set a not‑to‑exceed price of $56,000).

- Planning and engineering contracts and studies: The board approved a $299,028 contract with Gresham Smith to update the Bells Ferry LCI plan; a $680,499.05 first amendment with Thomas & Hutton for design and ROW plans on the Bells Ferry multi‑use trail (GDOT 80%/county 20% SPLOST funding); and a $67,000 design contract with Keck & Wood for intersection improvements at East Cherokee Drive and Ranchwood Trail.

- Road resurfacing and local road assistance: The board approved submitting a list of 76 road segments (about 16.3 miles) for the Georgia DOT Local Road Assistance Program; Cherokee County’s share of LRA funds for this round was stated as $3,348,465.95 and requires no local match.

- Condemnation resolution: The board approved proceeding with condemnation for five parcels necessary for the Dupree Road drainage improvements after negotiations for those parcels stalled.

- Community development and grants: The board approved reallocating $112,000 in CDBG funds to Goshen Valley Foundation for rehabilitation of the Sims House foster home and approved related action‑plan updates to HUD.

Tax assessment notices: After discussion of recent state legislation (House Bill 92 of 2025 and HB 581 of 2024), the board declined to provide an estimated rollback millage rate to the assessor and instead voted that the assessor’s mailed notices should include an estimated tax amount (based on last year’s millage). Commissioners split on the policy, but the board approved the motion to have notices show estimated tax amounts for taxpayers rather than a formal rollback rate figure.

Votes at a glance (selected items):
- Free Home Elementary purchase: approved (motion carried unanimously)
- Blaylock Road parcel sale ($290,000): approved unanimously
- Crown Castle fiber agreement (one-time $95,000 construction, $10,200/mo for 5 years): approved unanimously
- Justice Center network switches ($98,661.72): approved unanimously
- Coroner vehicle (2025 Chevy Tahoe, not-to-exceed $56,000): approved unanimously
- 2018 Altec bucket truck purchase ($96,500): approved unanimously
- Gresham Smith Bells Ferry LCI ($299,028): approved unanimously
- Thomas & Hutton Bells Ferry trail amendment ($680,499.05): approved unanimously
- Keck & Wood East Cherokee Drive intersection design ($67,000): approved unanimously
- Dupree Road condemnation (5 parcels): approved unanimously
- CDBG reallocation $112,000 to Goshen Valley Foundation: approved unanimously
- Tax notice approach (do not provide rollback rate; include estimated tax amount): approved (board majority decision to proceed with estimated tax notices)

Ending: The board approved the consent agenda items and county manager items in single and individual votes as noted; staff will proceed with closings, contract execution, design work and public-notice actions described above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cherokee - Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - May 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners on May 6, 2025 approved a series of property, infrastructure and contract actions, including purchase of the former Free Home Elementary site, several design and resurfacing contracts, equipment purchases and a decision to have tax assessment notices include an estimated tax amount rather than a rollback rate.","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},6566034,"Commissioners postpone decision on EC New Vision conservation subdivision; ask developer to relocate amenity area",645,3185000,3830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3210777-8a5049c70b6cc8de40f70e0287105ad6&start=3185&end=3830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3210777-8a5049c70b6cc8de40f70e0287105ad6/thumbnail_3185000.jpg","/articles/6566034/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Commissioners-postpone-decision-on-EC-New-Vision-conservation-subdivision-ask-developer-to-relocate-amenity-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566034-3a8f9769b20b6acde31d4ae06d861464/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870231&Signature=A6V-VuuE-m0Oahr2wDLom6K7OTXUSrjlsw7atyJn7gWysWSK~UY4z~tDSAGZnFVY6Zuu7CYJXYMm9EES7qCT1OdsqPucJxdxL-F17O6a1wAx3NMCR6tHuEs~-0KydrBDO0kukj2X4ZIUeVPcOBilNm~Qb1LYwZ7DgvHX7ftYIXzPSpWolN55yCrtwv-PLIbrW9nYzohznk-up1eQEl4eylQfBj2KEfBHL6Qck9mkWZRSI6wz8-04r5LZy0-8GN18UqW30Mx-qQr5fZLbZn-WEmT1RpSZPpuFkla6v36IyWpBAEFCgp4EdI6kbuPvDyrgWZp3f-bzqJ1sjzCsTOIq8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners on May 6, 2025, postponed for two weeks a decision on an 88.1-acre rezoning request from EC New Vision Georgia LLC to allow a conservation‑design R‑20 subdivision, citing concerns about the planned placement of an outdoor amenity area near existing neighboring homes.

Planning staff reported the Planning Commission had recommended approval of the rezoning with 18 conditions and one concurrent variance: reducing a 75-foot exterior buffer to 50 feet for lots 71–83. The applicant proffered additional commitments including limiting amenity hours, no lighting on pickleball courts, and provision of sound barriers adjacent to courts.

Chairman Harry B. Johnston and multiple commissioners said the conservation design offered net benefits—larger buffers, preservation and restoration of the lake and open space—but they objected to the amenity center’s location on the perimeter. \"The last remaining is the placement of the amenity center so close to the adjacent neighborhood, with those homes really bearing the brunt of noise and activity associated with that,\" Johnston said. Commissioners asked the applicant to relocate the amenity area to be internal to the community or at least about 200 feet from any external property line.

Commissioner Wetherby made a motion to postpone action for two weeks for the applicant to submit a revised site plan showing the amenity relocated; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. If the applicant needs more time staff and the developer were asked to notify the board. The board's postponement preserves the Planning Commission’s conditional approval but requires the revised plan for final county action.

Ending: Staff and the applicant were directed to prepare a revised site plan addressing the amenity location and other site conditions for the board’s meeting two weeks hence.","The board postponed action for two weeks on EC New Vision Georgia LLC’s R‑20 conservation-design rezoning of 88.1 acres, asking the applicant to show a revised plan that moves the amenity center away from adjacent homes.",{"_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},6566038,"Commissioners urge annexation, set future public hearing for Putnam Ford rezoning request",504,2664000,3168000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3210777-8a5049c70b6cc8de40f70e0287105ad6&start=2664&end=3168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3210777-8a5049c70b6cc8de40f70e0287105ad6/thumbnail_2664000.jpg","/articles/6566038/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Commissioners-urge-annexation-set-future-public-hearing-for-Putnam-Ford-rezoning-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566038-c6e77fb031bf8a039c0656865a8e0f84/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870231&Signature=nmpvegLWzy10-ySIjyIFkus7QPIevYReGQCVmC1X22ekxbg3MbYSLIxA0uvIXeHw7yn1aWLAM9etN4std7ZZ7qt1UT6jds31a73EC0egUSqFsDKnhSZyulpOoT7JLitdlsLD~Z1Hx9kA80u3aMg39rT50b6wnsBlFa6UovMoMprx-b3xEH~jJfBrzQ26zNDb5PDqc2MGU1cscQwyOCjJbArP2gOmHuX3GRlS0qnaKdClnSq4RiE0UYta1OAqoR9QEIE4vJ8GeR5Swp6fITNFz5EsM4OkSeXu6FyQJSoAwS~bVY2vcgdaT6ZgkA~LEobfa4GqPmpLP0H--eero5d5nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners on May 6, 2025, voted unanimously to schedule a future public hearing and to request staff initiate an amendment to the growth-boundary agreement with the City of Woodstock for a rezoning request at 6425 Putnam Ford Drive.

Zoning Administrator Trey introduced the case for Park Place Developers LLC, a request to rezone about 11.1 acres from R-40 to RZL to allow a 38-lot single-family subdivision (the applicant later reduced the proposed lots to 34). Trey told the board the Planning Commission recommended denial; the applicant subsequently revised plans, removed several setback variances and showed a revised site plan received April 17.

Commissioner Corey Ragsdale, whose district contains the property, said the revised layout \"is more of a fit for the county\" but that because the developer acquired an adjacent parcel and has a new connection to Chesterfield Cove (a neighborhood inside Woodstock city limits), his preference was that the property be annexed into the City of Woodstock. \"My preference would be that this just be annexed into the City Of Woodstock,\" Ragsdale said.

Ragsdale moved to set a public hearing at the next appropriate date and to ask staff to begin the process of amending the growth-boundary agreement with Woodstock to permit annexation; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The board noted that if the annexation process with the City of Woodstock does not move forward, the county will hold the public hearing and reconsider the rezoning request.

The applicant had also requested variances related to buffers and a cell-tower setback; some variance requests were withdrawn or altered in the revised plan. The Planning Commission had recommended denial before revisions; the board preserved its discretion to take action at the future hearing once the growth-boundary process is clear.

Ending: The board directed staff to work with the City of Woodstock on the growth-boundary amendment and to schedule a public hearing when appropriate, leaving the rezoning decision pending until then.","The board asked staff to pursue annexation of the Park Place/Putnam Ford parcel into the City of Woodstock and set a future public hearing to reconsider a developer's rezoning request after the developer revised plans and added a parcel that connects to city limits.",{"_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},6566043,"Cherokee County Commissioner Steve West resigns, announces run for State Senate",205,6745000,6950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3210777-8a5049c70b6cc8de40f70e0287105ad6&start=6745&end=6950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3210777-8a5049c70b6cc8de40f70e0287105ad6/thumbnail_6745000.jpg","/articles/6566043/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Cherokee-County-Commissioner-Steve-West-resigns-announces-run-for-State-Senate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566043-b49ddb3671bfdbd7cbc5e3ed20426c66/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870231&Signature=jJQs7Zao3WXNS6wpMtb4FukFCvO9R5uMR4YiwqgBAyQ6d9xtutbcxqHZZqgUVLF69EYCZbNC1gwSRxxdHFjOJPS57CNc0GJje-hAECZ9hSjGU8n35XxtIFfHUDUGTMp2SnI3bujTuzzondiaof~zPlTad-ErZsvW-fd9Azmp2azWhpo5BH1vBAuF94-xBXQ7QuLRJOEKy-ZqluKgkhX0uGVnSAGoBqL59YiL2XWqqiBnDzrna2BQP69FUwmYKTixTGXScB0DB8ioElcdQ-MRMrAnQ1HMNYIKTGHYP-3USzds5Oab~q0ujlKPkskEiEuNaPVqHXcDfNIB9m2-L8H7hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Steve West submitted a letter of resignation during the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 6, 2025, saying he will run for the State Senate seat for District 21.

\"Please accept this letter of formal resignation as Commissioner District 1 in Cherokee County, effective immediately,\" Commissioner West said. He told colleagues the decision was difficult and said he is \"enthusiastic about collaborating with you and other commissioners [and] continue to serve the community at the state level.\"

Chairman Harry B. Johnston thanked West for his service and recalled their long working relationship. \"We started out 11 years ago in our relationship as opponents. We've become good friends, allies, and comrades on this board. It has been a distinct honor to serve with you,\" Johnston said.

Other commissioners and county staff spoke in tribute to West’s tenure. Commissioner Carter, Commissioner Ragsdale and others thanked him for leadership and mentorship. Multiple speakers noted West’s contributions to planning, public safety support and county projects.

The board discussed logistics for filling the vacancy. Chairman Johnston said a special election to fill Commissioner West’s seat will be called by the local elections board; the date is not yet set and may run as early as July or as late as November 2025, depending on coordination with the state election schedule for the Senate seat. Johnston said the local board may defer to the governor on the precise date.

The resignation takes effect immediately. Commissioners encouraged interested candidates to monitor the local elections office for nomination and filing deadlines once the election date is set.

Ending: The board adjourned after recognizing West and noting that county staff and the elections board will provide timelines for the special-election process.","Commissioner Steve West submitted a formal resignation effective immediately and said he will run for the State Senate seat representing District 21; commissioners acknowledged his service and a special election will be scheduled by the local elections board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves Free Home school purchase, multiple infrastructure and equipment actions; opts not to provide a rollback rate on tax notices

Commissioners postpone decision on EC New Vision conservation subdivision; ask developer to relocate amenity area

Commissioners urge annexation, set future public hearing for Putnam Ford rezoning request

Cherokee County Commissioner Steve West resigns, announces run for State Senate