Businesses in the north part of Woodstock can sign on for municipal sewer service for free, during a limited period of time.
The Woodstock City Council, at its March 8 meeting, approved, 6-0, a 30-day waiver of sewer tap fees effective March 15 for a period of 30 days. The waiver applies to commercial and industrial establishments whose primary means of access is Ga. 5 between Haney Road and the Little River bridge, including Bell Industrial Park.
“We’re going to reopen sign-up,” said City Manager Jeff Moon. “Last time, last summer, eight businesses signed on. It can be a savings in the $2,000 to $3,000 range.”
Moon said the new tenant in the old Woodstock library building wants sewer. City Economic Development Director Billy Peppers said businesses in Bell Industrial Park already on sewer are encouraging other businesses to apply, because it benefits the value of the park as a whole. Moon said there are no capacity problems because the sewer line was designed to handle the industrial park.
The city council also approved, with a 6-0 vote, the annexation of 1.24 acres of right of way it has acquired for the Rope Mill Road Interchange, so that the city can deed it over to the Georgia Department of Transportation, 6-0. The city made the application, documents show, for the sole purpose of accommodating the construction of the interchange. The southbound entrance ramp will be located on the property. A public hearing was held, but no one signed up to speak.
Council members also unanimously approved the unfit structure determination ordinance for 132, 137, 138 and 139 Woodberry Court. The city already has approved the same for 136 and 134 Woodbury Court. The situation involves a 12- to 14-foot high, 20-year-old retaining wall made from railroad ties that is giving out in a neighborhood off Dupree Road.
City Engineer Mike Ross has determined there is a public safety issue because the unstable wall supports a parking area that is cracking; and, if that gives away, nearby homes could give away. After City Building Inspector Duane Helton declares the residences unfit, the case will go to Municipal Court, where a determination will be made as to how homeowners can rebuild the wall, which is located on their private properties.
Ana Noriega spoke for her brother, Juan Noriega, who owns 139 Woodberry Court. She said that the neighborhood was designed so that the drainage flow of the entire neighborhood ends up in their cul-de-sac, and the city’s own engineering studies show the cul-de-sac culvert receives the most volume of water of any in the neighborhood. She said the engineering design of the subdivision should never have been approved by the city in the 1980s. City Attorney Eldon Basham said final determination of how the repair must be handled, and who will pay for it, will be made in court.
In other business, the city:
• accepted, 6-0, the resignation of Municipal Judge Diane Busch. Busch is facing more than 20 charges for her alleged actions at a holiday party at her Cobb County home, where underage youths were allegedly provided with alcohol;
• approved, 6-0, closing East Main Street March 20 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. for a St. Patrick’s Day Streetfest, sponsored by Greenprints Alliance for the Greenprints city trail system. Restaurant partners Pure Taqueria and Canyon’s Burger Company will share a portion of their proceeds with the nonprofit. There will be live music outside and green beer in the Right Wing Tavern beer garden for the benefit, as well as a rock-climbing wall and artist’s market. The approval included allowing open containers (no glass) within the event area;
• heard police Chief David Bores recognize employee of the quarter Randy Milligan and Officer of the Year Chad Berry;
• heard Mayor Donnie Henriques appoint Jennifer Nelson to the Woodstock Downtown Development Authority; and
• heard Henriques present City Clerk Rhonda Pezzello with his own award for her, the “Backbone of the City Award.”
