Buford City Commission approves rezoning and two special-use permits, denies used‑car lot and annexation

The Buford City Commission met April 6 at Buford City Hall and approved a series of land-use requests, financial authorizations and administrative actions.

The Commission voted unanimously to rezone two parcels at 2754 South Waterworks Road from RA-200 to R-100 at the request of Thomas S. Thornton. Commissioners approved the rezoning with site-specific conditions requiring a house-location plan approved by the Planning Director; four-sided brick or stone exteriors (decorative accents limited to 20 percent on the front and sides/rear); a minimum gross heated floor area of 3,400 square feet (exclusive of garages and basements); two-car garages; an 18-foot minimum driveway width; and sodded front and side yards with two 3‑inch ornamental trees planted in each front yard. The motion passed 3-0 (mover: Chris Burge; second: Bradley W. Weeks).

Two special-use permits were approved. Vintage Modern, Inc. received SUP-26-02 to expand auto assembly operations at 4415 Thompson Mill Road and to install prefabricated self-enclosed paint booths; the approval is owner-specific (it expires if the current owner vacates), requires Planning Director review of booth product details, layout, fire prevention and ventilation, prohibits outdoor storage and junk vehicles, requires vehicle assembly and modification to occur indoors, and requires paved customer parking. The permit passed unanimously after Mitch Peevy spoke for the applicant.

The Commission also approved SUP-26-03 for Buford Burrito, LLC to allow a drive‑thru at 1520 Buford Highway for a Chipotle restaurant. Conditions include that the permit applies only to Chipotle (and will expire if Chipotle vacates the site), compliance with Buford Zoning Code and Mall of Georgia Overlay District cornice requirements, prohibition of metal-sided or portable buildings, required 10‑foot landscape strips (no parking, signs or order boards in the strip), front-yard sodding, and City Engineer review of drive‑thru turning radii to accommodate larger vehicles. Jason Brown spoke for the applicant; the motion passed 3-0.

A request by Thomas Lin for SUP-26-04 to operate a used-car lot and provide auto body and mechanical repairs at 942 Gainesville Highway was denied after Monica, owner of Five Spot Café, spoke against the proposal and Chairman Phillip Beard said the use was not suited for that area. The Commission denied the permit 3-0.

The Commission also denied an annexation and zoning request (Plat #727) from Hooshang Aaron Towfigh for property at 1691 Plunkett Road; the applicant said the motivation was access to the City school system and Gwinnett County raised no objection, but the Commission voted to deny the annexation and zoning request, 3-0.

In a public hearing held under O.C.G.A. 12-8-24(D) and Rule 391-3-.03(4), City Attorney Gregory Jay introduced a major modification to Solid Waste Handling Permit No. 067-032D(SL). Ryan Holder of Hodges, Harbin, Newberry & Tribble, Inc., summarized the proposed design and operational changes; the hearing drew no public questions or comments.

As required by state law, the Commission certified an estimated rollback rate of 13.241 mills for Buford City Schools to be submitted to the Gwinnett County Board of Assessors for the 2026 Notice of Assessments (cited by O.C.G.A. §48-5-2(2.1) and O.C.G.A. §45-5-306). The vote to certify was 3-0.

On financial and administrative business the Commission approved designation of voting delegates for the 2026 Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia election and authorized the chairman and city manager to sign the 2025 Year-End Settlement with MEAG Power, directing the City Manager to investigate an observed decrease in the refund amount compared to 2024. The body also approved a resolution authorizing release of funds held by Peoples Bank & Trust on behalf of the City.

The Commission authorized multiple contract payments for city and school projects, including: $9,687.64 to Backbone Infrastructure, LLC (New Street Roundabout); $170,469.80 to Backbone Infrastructure (Moreno Street LCI); $211,691.51 to Sunland Asphalt & Construction, LLC (2025 LMIG paving); invoices to Breaux & Associates totaling $18,989.22 (including $1,393.65 for the Buford High School softball field house and $17,595.57 for a CTAE addition, the latter subject to Buford City Schools Board approval); and three payments to Charles Black Construction Co., Inc. for $142,808.76, $33,547.12 and $131,153.04 covering a New Street wall installation, school facility work, and various storm‑water and field repairs. All listed payments were authorized by unanimous votes.

Mr. Kerlin delivered the City Manager's Report and City Attorney Gregory Jay delivered the City Attorney's Report. After brief audience discussion the Commission adjourned. Meeting minutes were signed by Phillip Beard (Chairman), Chris Burge (Vice‑Chairman) and O. Bradley W. Weeks (Commissioner).

Next steps: Several approvals carry implementation conditions (Planning Director review, City Engineer review, school-board approval where noted); the City Manager will investigate the MEAG refund decrease. The public hearing for the solid-waste permit concluded with no public opposition and no immediate action required beyond the permit review process.