Bogart City Council

Bogart City Council
January 9, 2006
Oconee Living Section
Athens Banner-Herald

Bogart Council reads new ordinances, rejects sign
By Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.
Correspondent

The Bogart City Council spent an hour and half going through the first reading of proposed new zoning ordinances, and then breezed though a brief agenda before adjourning Monday evening.
Mayor Jan Thurmond’ s son Bret, who is employed by the engineering firm of Armentrout, Roebuck & Matheny, scrutinized every detail highlighting the changes in red ink against the black ink of original on-the-books zoning regulations. A dozen Bogart residents reacted to nearly every facet, asking pertinent questions for each change. Two more readings will occur in February and March.
Among the more discussed changes included rights-of-way, design standards, definitions, buffers and setbacks. Copies of the proposed changes will remain at city hall for public inspection during normal business hours.
Mayor Thurmond seems determined to eventually eliminate trailer parks from the Bogart landscape. Modular or manufactured homes will have to replace pre-existing trailers in at least three locations as they become uninhabitable by acts of nature.
Council member Woody Bruce wanted to include wording on a governmental sign ordinance as he had consulted area pastors to make sure their concerns were included in the ordinance.
The ordinances take into scope the sewer service if and when it comes to Bogart.
“If the public sewer exists, they must connect to it,” said Mayor Thurmond.
Council member Tom Peavey reported that repairs should commence the following day after the meeting.
Bruce asked for and received a motion from Terri Glenn after the Mayor’s acquiescence to have Osceola Avenue surveyed and staked with the right-of-way so vegetation removal can begin soon. A 17 and a half foot right of way at exists at every house except one duplex on Osceola Avenue.
A traffic study for Ivy Creek was submitted by to supplement a preliminary plat for the 39 lots on Gear Road, adding 390 additional vehicle trips per day, traffic engineer Phillip J. Schmitt of for O’Brien Properties LLC of Bethlehem. There was some discussion concerning any possible “deal-killer” surprises and the Mayor assured them there would not be any such occurrence.
Greater Outdoor Advertising was rejected for a proposed sign on Atlanta Highway despite no representative being there and a line having been drawn through the item on the agenda.
There will be a special workshop to discuss 2006 employee raises.