Watkinsville City Council listen to Williams Bros.

Watkinsville City Council
Feb. 8, 2006
Oconee Living Section
Athens Banner-Herald

Watkinsville Council listens to Wisteria Ridge update
By Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.
Correspondent

Watkinsville city council members heard from the owners of the Wisteria Ridge development Wednesday about construction of the city’s first major apartment complex adjacent to the county jail off business route 441 and Experiment Station Road.

Brothers David and Chuck Williams talked about how the property had been in the family for 50 years and their mother still lived next to Call’s Creek on the property. They are developing 16 buildings with a 103 units on almost 13 acres of property with 4.4 acres left largely undisturbed near the water. David is the chairman of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce and Chuck is the President of the North Georgia Bank.

The process for developing this property has been slightly different than the normal procedures because of the timeline set in motion after having received permission from Oconee County to tap into the sewer system. The Williams brothers have yet to choose an architect to develop blueprints for the actual construction of the apartment buildings but have a storm water detention facility in place and site plans generated. They hope to construct the buildings out of brick, stone or hardy plank soon.

The sheer slope along the business route 441 may provide some serious headaches and costs to their development company called Will o War LLC. The Georgia Department of Transportation is in negotiation with the group to decide the length and exact location of deceleration and acceleration lanes. The Williams also hope to build some indoor and outdoor amenities for potential renters in the property. They hope to keep it upscale but have not ruled out renting to students of nearby colleges as well. The opening of Wisteria Ridge will probably be in measured phases over the next several years. They invited members of the council to come look at the site progress by the barbershop off 441.

The only other business was the site plan and building permit for a 120’ x 60’ storage building addition to the Industrial Mechanical location at 1241 Greensboro Highway. Mark Campbell talked about the site plan and owner Don Phillips discussed building permit. Both motions passed unanimously.

Council member Samantha Purcell gave the second reading of the proposed Urban Forest Ordinance after some revisions suggested by council member Brian Brodrick. City attorney R. Judson Huff questioned the use of the verb “occupied” when it comes to the applicability of the statute on residential areas, and Mayor Jim Luken instructed him to work with Purcell to pursue a more palatable and applicable verbiage. The 11-section document is on review at the community center and received some more suggestions from the brothers Williams at the meeting in regards to potential commercial timberland within city limits.

Luken was relieved to finally display the document from the DOT allowing the long-awaited Streetscape plan to be bid out now. The Mayor also referenced the letter from the DOT allowing that they will provide equipment for the traffic signal at the very busy intersection of Simonton Bridge Road, Harden Hill Road and Main Street in downtown Watkinsville.

Luken also said there had been a letter from the city engineering firm of McKenzie McGregor regarding the grounding system for the Cingular Wireless tower in the city and fire exit concerns had been addressed by the folks at the new It’s Your Party business on Barnett Shoals Road.

Watkinsville will be seeking a new representative for the Oconee County Board of Health to attend quarterly meetings. Applications are due March 1 and can be picked at 191 VFW Drive at the Community Center.

Luken also read over the committee assignments for the bicentennial celebration this year in Watkinsville and urged all interested residents to get involved in the planning of the 200th birthday of the city once known as Big Springs.

MINUTES OF MEETING
OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL

CITY OF WATKINSVILLE
February 8, 2006



PRESENT: Mayor Luken, Council members Link, Purcell, Brodrick, Walsh, Walter and City Attorney Huff.



VISITORS: See attached sheet.



QUORUM CHECK: Mayor Luken acknowledges a quorum is present. Mayor Luken also asks those with hearing concerns to please sit toward the front.



MINUTES: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Walsh seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2006 Council meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously.



MARK CAMPBELL: Councilman Brodrick moved and Councilman Link seconded the motion to approve the site plan for Industrial mechanical at 1241 Greensboro Highway as presented. Motion carried unanimously.



DON PHILLIPS: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Walsh seconded the motion to approve a building permit for a 120x60 storage building at 1241 Greensboro Highway. Motion carried unanimously.



DAVID & CHUCK WILLIAMS (WISTERIA RIDGE): Chuck and David Williams gave Council an update on the development of the apartment complex Wisteria Ridge. Chuck Williams explains sewer capacity has already been given for this project; however, Oconee County can pull the capacity if it is not used within a reasonable time. Chuck Williams explains they are very appreciative of the capacity, however the clock is ticking. This project includes 103 units being built and one existing residence to remain. 4.4 acres of the total 12.935 acres will be left for green space. Council appreciates green space. David Williams gives update on progress to this point. He further explains they are working with the Department of Transportation in regard to center turn lane. Chuck Williams explains they haven’t engaged with an architect yet; however, they plan for a high-end project. Chuck Williams emphasizes that they are committed to doing everything they can to make a quality product. David Williams explains best management practices will be used. David is also a certified site inspector, onsite everyday. Mayor Luken thanks Chuck and David Williams for updating Council on the project.



RECONCILIATION REPORT: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Brodrick seconded the motion to approve the December 31, 2005 Reconciliation Report as presented. Motion carried unanimously.



MAYOR’S REPORT: See attached. Additionally, Mayor Luken adds that the Georgia Department of Transportation has seen fit to allow us to bid streetscape (See attached letter.).







Not read or approved by Council.

Minutes/February 8, 2006/Page 2




Chief O’Dillon notes the new police car has been delivered from Johnson Ford and is being equipped. The car should be in order in about a week. The police department continues to work diligently on problem areas in the town. Accidents have been more from congestion than from speeding this month. Chief O’Dillon adds that Christopher Lopatin Slaymaker has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Slaymaker was hired in 2000. He has served as Field Training Officer and Firearms Instructor. He will continue with training as well as helping Chief O’Dillon.



CITIZEN’S COMMENTS: Vinnie Williams thinks it is wonderful that streetscape is finally going out to bid. Congrats.



OLD BUSINESS: 1. Traffic signal at Simonton Bridge Road, Harden Hill Road and Main Street: See attached letter from D.O.T. acknowledging D.O.T. will provide the equipment for the signal and the City of Watkinsville will provide installation costs. No action necessary.



2. Cingular Wireless Grounding System Update: Councilman Walter had concerns about the grounding system being used by Cingular Wireless for an antenna co-locate on Highway 15. See attached letter from McKenzie/MacGregor indicating system is biologically and otherwise sound.



3. It’s Your Party – fire exit concerns: The business license for It’s Your Party was cleared in regard to fire exit concerns by Melissa Henderson, Oconee County Code Enforcement.



4. Urban Forest Ordinance: Councilwoman Purcell explains she is not asking for a vote tonight. She explains Councilman Brodrick suggested a tree list, which has been added. Discussion in regard to the Urban Forest Committee was held. The council member will be the Chair of the committee and the Chair will report to Council. Councilman Walsh asks if this pertains to single private residences? City Attorney Huff explains Section 5 needs to be clarified to explain what part of the lot and/or piece of ground it applies to. It is not the house it applies to – it is the land, per City Attorney Huff. After discussion Mayor Luken states the spirit and intent of this project is good and we need to get the legal to match with the spirit and intent. We will work on that, per Mayor Luken. Several citizens, including Mark Campbell, Kate McDaniel and Chuck Williams, questioned parts of the ordinance. Discussion was held and items of concern will be addressed. Chuck Williams recommended seeking assistance with language from the Georgia Forestry Commission. No action was taken at this time.



NEW BUSINESS: 1. Board of Health: The City is seeking a new Board of Health member to replace the late Joanne Mitchell. See attached advertisement.



2. Ed Ortone Letter: See attached letter. No action taken at this time.



3. Bicentennial: Councilwoman Purcell states the Projects Committee met Monday night. The plan is to begin with planting a life Christmas tree and would like this done by the end of February. The second step will be to plan the planting of 200 trees. Additional projects will be considered after the first two steps have been planned.

Not read or approved by Council.

Minutes/February 8, 2006/Page 3