Watkinsville City Council penalizes developer Norm Grayson
Developer Norm Grayson got a tongue lashing from four people and three city council members four about 90 minutes Wednesday for destroying his property's home after teasing the council members with grandiose plans of town homes. The Mayor of Watkinsville Jim Luken conducted himself very fairly and only responded when personally attacked by Grayson. The developer demolished a house without a permit. The fact that it is in a historic corridor does not enter into the governmental permit process at this point, but it should. Hopefully this is a Maginot Line, a line in the sand, a point where Oconee County people can shout "ENOUGH ALREADY! to all those hellbent on paving the entire beautiful, wonderful place. The following is an article to be published next Wednesday. Merritt Melacon wrote a good story here in today's paper.
Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.
Watkinsville Council meeting
July 14, 2005
Oconee Living section
Athens Banner-Herald
Watkinsville Council penalizes developer
By Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.
Correspondent
Developer Norm Grayson appeared before the Watkinsville City Council Wednesday evening to obtain a demolition permit after the fact of the removal of the house at 21 South. Main Street.
The demolition permit was eventually approved but with a $1000 penalty as well as a written citation from Watkinsville Code Enforcement officer Joe Walter that will lead to a date for Grayson in front of Municipal Court.
Mayor Jim Luken led a lively discussion of the events leading up to the premature demolition of the house. Council member Brian Brodrick said Grayson’s action was “disingenuous” after the developer had gone out of his way to contact several of the council members.
Council member Samantha Purcell likened the situation to a student getting punished for breaking a rule in class. Council member John Walsh said the situation put the council “between a rock and a hard place.”
Grayson spoke at length recounting the series of events leading up to the demolition and repeatedly reminded the council members of his “hard decisions” with the property. He also claimed ignorance of the law requiring a demolition permit.
Members of the audience also had a chance to defend or defame Grayson. Oconee County resident Kate McDaniel tried to spread the blame on both the council and Grayson. Watkinsville resident Andy Griner urged a speedy resolution to the demolition debate.
Watkinsville resident Mary Moore spoke about how she knew about the demolition permit process. Jim Shearon wondered about the timing of the decision to demolish the property, and Mack Farris asked Grayson about asbestos removal.
Farris also was presented the fourth monthly Watkinsville Beautiful Yard Award as selected by Athens Seed Company for his home at 15 2nd Street.
Several business licenses were granted for the new Town Center development, including Kathy and Jerry Chappelle for Georgia Originals. They will feature artwork, books and other souvenirs of items made in Georgia.
Kenneth Gautreux received a business license for Gautreau’s Cajun Café, Incorporated on the north end of Town Center. He will also have a banquet room for 50 people and can handle 65-70 customers at a time. He said business had exceeded their wildest expectations for the first week, and Mayor Luken said he had dined their twice in their first week.
Tasha Elrod received a business license for BodyWorx Health and Day Spa, which will be located above Gautreau’s Café in Suite 204 of Town Center. She will have chiropractic services done by Kim Miller and massages by Jeannette McElhannon and Elrod. There will also be classes taught there, including anatomy classes by Miller and technique classes by Elrod. They hope to be open by September 1.
Sally Kennedy, Ph.D. received a business license to open her psychology practice at 31 A North Main Street.
Jim Mitchell, general manager of Ferrellgas, took care of a long-neglected lack of business license for the facility at 62 Depot Street. He also plans to spruce up the area in the elbow area of that street.
Several building permits were granted in addition to the post facto demolition permit. Ted Evans received a building permit for a new self storage unit at 50 Greensboro Highway for an 85’ x 160’ building. He was praised by all the members of the council for his landscaping and upkeep.
Thomas Gooch received a building permit for a 16 x 16 deck at 120 Bond Way.
Gayle Christopher received building permits for a complicated series of renovations, relocation and remodeling of houses at 56 N. Third and on Mulberry Street. She plans on removing a 720 square foot frame structure from the property on Third Street to the property on the adjoining Mulberry Street.
Luken praised the efforts of Linda McGregor as storm water expert for the city of Watkinsville. She is leaving to take a job with the Environmental Protection Division. Luken also announced that there will be a new police officer hired in next year’s budget, and the mill rate will be at 3.166, which will be rounded up to 3.17 for the county’s purposes. The mayor also made note of the passing of John Griner in that he missed his first meeting in more than a decade.
City clerk Julie Sanders announced the special election for replacement of John Griner’s post 3 seat will be Nov. 8, 2005 along with a general election for the Mayor’s seat as well as post 1 and 2. The dates for filing for those offices are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday, September 12 through Wednesday, September 14. The filing fee is 3% of the salary of the posts.
Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.
Watkinsville Council meeting
July 14, 2005
Oconee Living section
Athens Banner-Herald
Watkinsville Council penalizes developer
By Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.
Correspondent
Developer Norm Grayson appeared before the Watkinsville City Council Wednesday evening to obtain a demolition permit after the fact of the removal of the house at 21 South. Main Street.
The demolition permit was eventually approved but with a $1000 penalty as well as a written citation from Watkinsville Code Enforcement officer Joe Walter that will lead to a date for Grayson in front of Municipal Court.
Mayor Jim Luken led a lively discussion of the events leading up to the premature demolition of the house. Council member Brian Brodrick said Grayson’s action was “disingenuous” after the developer had gone out of his way to contact several of the council members.
Council member Samantha Purcell likened the situation to a student getting punished for breaking a rule in class. Council member John Walsh said the situation put the council “between a rock and a hard place.”
Grayson spoke at length recounting the series of events leading up to the demolition and repeatedly reminded the council members of his “hard decisions” with the property. He also claimed ignorance of the law requiring a demolition permit.
Members of the audience also had a chance to defend or defame Grayson. Oconee County resident Kate McDaniel tried to spread the blame on both the council and Grayson. Watkinsville resident Andy Griner urged a speedy resolution to the demolition debate.
Watkinsville resident Mary Moore spoke about how she knew about the demolition permit process. Jim Shearon wondered about the timing of the decision to demolish the property, and Mack Farris asked Grayson about asbestos removal.
Farris also was presented the fourth monthly Watkinsville Beautiful Yard Award as selected by Athens Seed Company for his home at 15 2nd Street.
Several business licenses were granted for the new Town Center development, including Kathy and Jerry Chappelle for Georgia Originals. They will feature artwork, books and other souvenirs of items made in Georgia.
Kenneth Gautreux received a business license for Gautreau’s Cajun Café, Incorporated on the north end of Town Center. He will also have a banquet room for 50 people and can handle 65-70 customers at a time. He said business had exceeded their wildest expectations for the first week, and Mayor Luken said he had dined their twice in their first week.
Tasha Elrod received a business license for BodyWorx Health and Day Spa, which will be located above Gautreau’s Café in Suite 204 of Town Center. She will have chiropractic services done by Kim Miller and massages by Jeannette McElhannon and Elrod. There will also be classes taught there, including anatomy classes by Miller and technique classes by Elrod. They hope to be open by September 1.
Sally Kennedy, Ph.D. received a business license to open her psychology practice at 31 A North Main Street.
Jim Mitchell, general manager of Ferrellgas, took care of a long-neglected lack of business license for the facility at 62 Depot Street. He also plans to spruce up the area in the elbow area of that street.
Several building permits were granted in addition to the post facto demolition permit. Ted Evans received a building permit for a new self storage unit at 50 Greensboro Highway for an 85’ x 160’ building. He was praised by all the members of the council for his landscaping and upkeep.
Thomas Gooch received a building permit for a 16 x 16 deck at 120 Bond Way.
Gayle Christopher received building permits for a complicated series of renovations, relocation and remodeling of houses at 56 N. Third and on Mulberry Street. She plans on removing a 720 square foot frame structure from the property on Third Street to the property on the adjoining Mulberry Street.
Luken praised the efforts of Linda McGregor as storm water expert for the city of Watkinsville. She is leaving to take a job with the Environmental Protection Division. Luken also announced that there will be a new police officer hired in next year’s budget, and the mill rate will be at 3.166, which will be rounded up to 3.17 for the county’s purposes. The mayor also made note of the passing of John Griner in that he missed his first meeting in more than a decade.
City clerk Julie Sanders announced the special election for replacement of John Griner’s post 3 seat will be Nov. 8, 2005 along with a general election for the Mayor’s seat as well as post 1 and 2. The dates for filing for those offices are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday, September 12 through Wednesday, September 14. The filing fee is 3% of the salary of the posts.
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