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Villa Rica council standardizes water/sewer capacity rules, approves alcohol licenses and funds Juneteenth concert
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Summary
Council adopted development‑regulation guidelines to standardize water and sewer capacity calculations, approved three retail alcohol licenses (each passed 4–1), and authorized a $30,000 Juneteenth concert funded from mayor/council contingency; staff reiterated moratoria remain in place for multifamily and subdivisions without capacity approval.
The Villa Rica City Council on March 10 adopted an amendment to Appendix A, Section 200 of the city’s development regulations to provide standardized calculation guidelines for water and sewer capacity applications.
John Veil, interim deputy city manager, told the council the change requires applicants to use specified calculation guidelines when requesting water and/or sewer capacity, which helps staff verify proposed demand and prevent underestimation. Veil said staff has modeled recent submissions and found several where applicant numbers needed adjustments; the new guidance will allow staff to deny inaccurate applications before they advance to rezoning or permitting. Planning and zoning recommended approval; the ordinance passed unanimously.
During public comment several residents continued to press the council about current infrastructure strain and asked for clearer public messaging about whether the system is "full." Veil and other staff explained that while both wastewater plants are not at capacity today, build‑out of projects already approved will at that time exhaust available capacity; the new rules are meant to ensure accurate projections and protect infrastructure.
The council also approved three retail package or pouring alcohol licenses for local businesses (La Catrina Street Tacos LLC at 451 W. Bankhead Highway; Junior Food Store Inc. at 516 Dallas Highway; 205 Villa Rica Enterprises LLC at 205 S. Carroll Road). Staff reported that applicants complied with background checks and public notices; each license passed on recorded council votes of 4–1.
Finally, the council approved a one‑time Juneteenth concert for June 19, 2026, to be run as a concert‑style event (seven vendors, live music, optional fireworks) with an estimated cost of about $30,000. Interim finance director Amanda Long said the payment can be made from the mayor/council contingency fund (roughly $100,000 unallocated). Council members supported approving the event this year and building it into future budgets.
Why it matters: The ordinance gives staff a clearer, enforceable process to confirm water and sewer needs before projects proceed, addressing a key infrastructure concern. The license approvals and the Juneteenth concert are immediate local decisions affecting businesses and community events.
What comes next: Staff will publish the guideline and enforce the water/sewer application requirement; liquor license holders must ensure employee training and compliance with underage‑sale laws. Event staff will begin contracting bands and logistical planning for June 19.
