Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning Ordinance Review topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dawsonville council unanimously approves contract with CPL for planning and ordinance review
Summary
The Dawsonville City Council voted unanimously to contract CPL Architecture, Engineering and Planning to assist with ordinance clean-up, planning support and a review of existing site plans. Council members said staff expects the consultant to improve clarity for developers and reduce local friction in plan review.
The Dawsonville City Council unanimously approved a contract with CPL Architecture, Engineering and Planning on Feb. 18 to assist the city with planning, ordinance review and related work.
City Manager Bob Bowles told the council the contract had been reviewed by the city attorney and staff recommended moving forward after discussion at a recent council retreat. Bowles said the firm had been vetted through visits to other municipalities that use the company.
Council members said they expected the consultant to help clarify the city's ordinances and to streamline development reviews. One council member said outsourcing the function could "remove local politics from the matter" and help ensure consistent application of standards; that comment was made by City Attorney Kevin Tallent in the meeting while thanking the council for pursuing the outsourcing step. Council member Mark French made the motion to approve the contract; Council member Caleb Phillips seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Council discussion referenced the retreat earlier in the month where a range of planning and zoning issues were identified. Council members asked that the consultant also review existing plats and site plans to confirm compliance with city ordinances and to recommend updates where necessary. No dollar amount for the contract was announced in the public discussion recorded in the transcript; the contract language was stated to have been reviewed by the city attorney and staff.
Next steps: Staff will execute the contract with CPL and coordinate scope and timing for ordinance review, auditing of outstanding plans and any recommended updates for council consideration.
