Dalton council approves rezoning, stormwater contracts and easement; backs community improvement district

Dalton Mayor and Council on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, approved a series of land-use and public‑works actions including a rezoning to bring an existing house into compliance, an amendment to the regional unified zoning ordinance to mirror state law, award of a stormwater contract and purchase of a drainage easement, approval of a $100,000 insurance settlement and a resolution supporting formation of a community improvement district, and they heard a first reading on a requested annexation.

The votes clear work to proceed on stormwater projects and to adjust local zoning rules following changes at the state level; several items passed with brief discussion and staff presentations. The meeting also included an extended presentation and certificate recognitions for local youth soccer state champions and routine mayoral appointments.

Andrew Parker, assistant city administrator, presented two unfinished-business items carried over from the Dec. 16 meeting, including second reading of ordinance 24‑35, a request to rezone a 0.38‑acre parcel at 1112 Riverbend Drive from heavy manufacturing (M2) to rural residential (R5). Parker said both the planning commission and staff recommended approval because the property currently contains a residential dwelling that is nonconforming under M2 zoning; rezoning would make the home conforming under the unified zoning ordinance. The council moved and seconded the ordinance on second reading and voted to approve it.

Also on second reading the council approved ordinance 24‑36, a text amendment to the unified zoning ordinance. Parker explained the amendment makes two changes: (1) reduces a building‑height allowance in Varnell’s C2 district from 140 feet to 50 feet (as requested by that municipality), and (2) updates the unified zoning ordinance to reflect state statutory changes enacted in the 2024 Georgia legislative session (House Bill 1073 and Act 594), which removed a previously required second public hearing for certain drug treatment facilities and halfway houses.

The council took no action on annexation ordinance 25‑1, the first reading of a request by Greg Townsend to annex 0.35 acres at 1223 Covey Drive into the city as low‑density single‑family residential (R2); Parker said the…