Cherokee Land Use Plan Update
Posted: April 26th, 2007
Category: Canton Real Estate
Discussion: Comments
Cherokee County Road Projects
Posted: February 17th, 2007
Category: Canton Real Estate
Cherokee County
Roadway Project Update
By: Geoffrey E. Morton, PE – Cherokee County Public Works Agency Director
County Projects (SPLOST Funded):
1. Eagle Drive Widening
· $6.0 million final construction cost.
· Construction was substantially completed in August 2006.
2. Sixes Road Widening
· $9.5 million final construction cost.
· Construction should be substantially completed by April 2007.
3. Robin Road Sidewalk Project
· Project included construction of curb and gutter and sidewalk along west side of Robin Road.
· Construction was substantially completed in December 2006.
4. Towne Lake Parkway Signal Timing
· County will be replacing signal controllers and hardwire with fiber optic cable.
· Cost will be funded with 80% coming from Federal funds.
· Construction is expected in Summer 2007.
5. Bells Ferry Road Signal Timing
· County will be replacing signal controllers and hardwire with fiber optic cable.
· Cost will be funded with 80% coming from Federal funds.
· Construction is expected in Summer 2007.
6. Intersection Improvement Projects
· Projects involve intersection realignment and construction of left and right turn lanes.
· Several projects are proposed for construction in 2007 and 2008, including:
a) Arbor Hill Road and Owens Store/Trinity Church Road – under construction.
b) East Cherokee Drive and Waters Road – under contract.
c) East Cherokee Drive and Owens Store Road – construction to begin spring 2007. (Signal)
d) Kellogg Creek Road at Woodstock Road – construction to begin spring 2007. (Signal)
e) East Cherokee Drive and Union Hill Road – construction to begin spring 2007. (Signal)
f) Trickum Road and Barnes Road - construction in 2007 or 2008. (Signal upgrade)
g) Arnold Mill Road and Mill Creek Road – construction in 2007 or 2008. (Signal)
h) Bells Ferry Road and Ridge Road – under design, construction in 2007 or 2008. (Signal)
i) Bells Ferry Road and Steel Bridge Road – under design, construction in 2007 or 2008. (Signal)
j) Trickum Road and Wagon Trail/Trickum Hills – under design, construction in 2007 or 2008.
k) East Cherokee Drive and SR 140 – design 2007, construction in 2008.
l) East Cherokee Drive and Lower Union Hill Road - design 2007, construction in 2008.
7. 2007 Resurfacing Program
· Cherokee County will be resurfacing over 30 miles of existing County roadways in 2007.
· Estimated construction cost $5.2 million.
8. Sidewalk Projects
· Plans include construction of curb and gutter and sidewalk on east side of roadways.
· Putnam Ford Drive – Eagle Drive to Bascomb Carmel Road, to Carmel Elementary School.
· Woodstock Road – SR 92 to Oak Grove Elementary School.
· Construction is expected to begin in Summer 2007.
9. Roadway Improvement Projects
· Projects involve roadway widening, realignment and resurfacing.
· Several projects are proposed for construction in 2007 and 2008, including:
a) Curtis Road – under contract.
b) Hames Road and Jett Road - construction is expected to begin in Summer/Fall 2007.
c) Steels Bridge Road – construction is being coordinated with development along roadway.
10. Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP)
· In conjunction with the development of the land use plan County is working on a Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) that will assist in prioritizing of projects and locating them in the areas of greatest need.
· There will be opportunities for public involvement in the development of the CTP this spring.
· Survey can be filled out on website - www.cherokeeCTP@cherokeega.com.
Georgia DOT Projects:
1. I-575 Auxiliary Lanes
· Lanes run from Exit 8 - Towne Lake Parkway to Exit 7 - SR 92, northbound and southbound.
· Construction was substantially completed in December 2006.
2. Towne Lake Parkway at I-575
· Project includes construction of additional eastbound thru lane and sidewalks under I-575 bridge.
· Currently under construction with completion expected Spring 2007.
3. SR 92 Widening
· First Phase is under construction – west of Super Target to west of Wade Green Road.
· Construction began August 2005 and should be substantially completed in late Summer 2007.
· Second Phase – west of Wade Green Road to I-75.
· GDOT plans on receiving bids in February 2007.
· Construction should last about 24 months.
4. SR 92 at Interstate 75 Interchange Improvement
· Project includes improvements to SR 92 bridge over I-75 and ramp upgrades.
· Project is under construction and is to be completed by Summer 2008.
5. I-575 at SR 20 Interchange Improvement
· Project includes upgrading existing interchange to a full diamond.
· Project also includes construction of auxiliary lanes on I-575 between Exits 19 and 20.
· Construction to begin Spring 2007.
6. Sixes Road Bridge over I-575
· Bridge design is underway to widen bridge to 4 lanes.
· Construction is currently scheduled for 2015.
7. Sixes Road – East (575 to Old Highway 5)
· Right-of-way acquisition is in progress for widening to 4 lanes.
· GDOT plans on receiving bids for construction in April 2007.
8. Bells Ferry Road – Kellogg Creek Road to Little River Bridge
· GDOT is designing and constructing, Cherokee County is buying right-of-way.
· Includes bridge widening at Little River/Lake Allatoona.
· Right-of-way acquisition expected to take place in 2008.
· Construction budgeted by GDOT in 2010.
9. I-575 at Ridgewalk Parkway (Rope Mill Road) Interchange
· Interchange concept report has been completed, design to begin in 2007.
· Project includes construction of a full diamond interchange at I-575 and Ridgewalk Parkway.
· Construction is currently scheduled for 2015.
10. SR 20 Truck Passing Lanes
· Project includes intersection improvements at Scott Road, Union Hill Road and SR 369.
· Truck passing lanes provided for steep grades along this section of SR 20.
· Portion between I-575 and Scott Road to be widened to 4 lanes.
· Construction scheduled for 2008 and 2009.
11. SR 140 Intersection Projects
· Projects include intersection realignment, addition of left and right turn lanes and installation of traffic signals at each location.
· GDOT expects to receive bids for construction in February 2007.
· Intersection improvements are proposed at the following locations:
a) SR 140 at Univeter Road.
b) SR 140 at Hickory/Batesville Roads.
c) SR 140 at Sugar Pike Road.
12. SR 20 and SR 108/Upper Sweetwater Road Intersection Improvement
· Project includes intersection realignment, addition of left and right turn lanes and installation of a traffic signal.
· Intersection of White Road will be moved north on SR 108 to intersect across from Mt. Carmel Church Rd.
· GDOT expects to receive bids for construction in 2009.
13. SR 140 Widening
· GDOT has kicked off design on portion from Mansell Road in Fulton to I-575 in Cherokee.
· Construction on portions could begin as early as 2015.
14. SR 20 Widening
· GDOT in final negotiations with design engineer for design of portion from I-575 to SR 369.
· Concept development for proposed alignment to begin Spring 2007.
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I just thought the photo was funny and I want all of the road construction crews to know that I appreciate your work as much as anyone. It is a job that rewards thousands of people and none of them thank you. Thanks.
Discussion: Comments
Cherokee Slow Growth Commissioners Fight City Annexations
Posted: January 26th, 2007
Category: Canton Real Estate
As I anticipated in an earlier post about property rights in Cherokee County, the cities within the county are already seeking annexation of property. Of course the Cherokee Board of Commissioners are fighting the City of Holly Springs over the issue…
County, Holly Springs face off
Board of Commissioners challenges two annexations; growth boundary expired Dec. 31
The Cherokee County Commission is formally challenging two annexation proposals under review by the city of Holly Springs, officials said.The annexation petitions of Bridgemill Eye Clinic for 1409 Sixes Road and Square Foot Design & Build for 120 and 148 Tom Charles Lane seek Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning, documents show. The Sixes Road site is nearly 4.5 acres and the Tom Charles Lane tract is almost 0.8 acres.
The Holly Springs Planning & Zoning Commission is scheduled to hold public hearings on the annexation and zoning requests during its Jan. 25 meeting at 6 p.m. at the Holly Springs Public Safety Building, 3235 Holly Springs Parkway.
County officials said the reasons for the challenges include their belief the projects would be out of character for the areas and they question whether the infrastructure and service delivery costs would be in place.
County officials are also questioning whether the two properties – the Sixes Road tract is west of Interstate 575 and the Tom Charles Lane site is off Ga. 140 near Harmony on the Lakes – are adjacent to the city limits, county officials said. Holly Springs City Manager Tony Griffin said both properties border the city limits.
Under state law, a mediation process between the governments may be triggered if differences over the proposals are unresolved, officials said.
I thought residents elected public officials to solve problems, not create them? Individual property owners have rights that county officials should not try to remove. If you want to help stand up for your property rights, then visit http://cherokeecpr.com
Resource: Cherokee Ledger News, Tom Brooks
Discussion: Comments
Cherokee Citizens for Property Rights
Posted: January 15th, 2007
Category: Canton Real Estate
Many of my recent posts have been related to Property Rights and how Cherokee County’s future plans to control growth threaten those rights. The organization that helps every property owner fight to keep those rights is Cherokee Citizens for Property Rights (CCPR). Recently, CCPR had an article appear in the Cherokee Tribune. Here is the story…
Residents create group to protect property rights
A recently formed group of local residents is working to protect the property rights of Cherokee County landowners.
Cherokee Citizens for Property Rights (CCPR) was formed about two months ago and membership already tops 200, according to organizers.
The organization’s mission is to oppose any action that would limit a landowner’s freedom. The organization will support political candidates that share its views on property rights but will remain non-partisan.
Its goals include making sure the property rights’ position is represented to the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, ensuring the county’s land-use plan is reasonable and legal and regarded as a guideline and building alliances with other groups opposed to eminent domain abuse.
The seeds for this group were planted last October during a community meeting in the Free Home community held by the county government and its consulting team. The purpose of the meeting was to show residents the proposed land-use map designed by the Citizen’s Roundtable as part of the comprehensive land-use plan update.
"We read and studied that document, and there were a lot of things in it that we did not think were right," CCPR member Ed Cochran of the Holbrook Campground community said of the land-use plan and map.
Attorney Nate Cochran, his son and president of the CCPR Advisory Board, said the map does not show growth coming to the county.
"It only reflects what is in the county now and it does a poor job of that. There are properties that are not shown on the map," he said.
The county’s future land-use map shows a majority of northern Cherokee as rural areas, with country estates, equestrian lifestyle communities and suburban growth areas in eastern Cherokee. Much of southern Cherokee is labeled as suburban living on the map as it has already been developed.
Members of CCPR said they think the map should reflect the way the county is growing, not county leaders’ vision of what they think it should look like.
"If you look at the map, you can see a natural line of where people are starting to move to," Nate Cochran said. "The map should plan for the growth. If the plan does not account for any change, then what kind of plan is it? The door has to stay open for everybody because that is how our country works."
He said not allowing for some growth, especially in the eastern part of the county, will actually hurt the county.
"Forsyth County is allowing development and businesses and sewer right up to the county line," he said. "People in Cherokee who should be shopping and eating in Cherokee are going over to Forsyth."
The organization also has a few other concerns, including the appointment of slow-growth activists to the Cherokee County Planning Commission.
Members also said it seems some county residents think rural landowners should keep their property undeveloped to supply free green space to the community.
"We have held on to the land and now we are being punished for it," said CCPR advisory board member Chad Milford of northeastern Cherokee.
I encourage everyone to understand the immanent growth Cherokee County is facing and work to create a smart plan to accommodate this growth. CCPR meets again on January 29th at 7pm - Creekview High School.
Discussion: Comments
Commissioner Buzz Ahrens: An Accessible Listener
Posted: December 28th, 2006
Category: Canton Real Estate
On December 27, CCPR board members met with incoming Cherokee County Commission Chairman, Buzz Ahrens, at the Justice Center in Canton. The meeting provided an opportunity for members and Mr. Ahrens to get acquainted and to discuss some hot property rights topics.
As expected, the first topic of discussion was the Proposed Land Use Plan and map. CCPR members express opposition to elements of the plan, including:
- 200 ft. set-backs.
- Discouraging of production-oriented agricultural activities like animal production.
- Denial of infrastructure to rural areas in terms of transportation and sewer improvements, and a low public services such as fire, police and libraries.
- Imposing upon our use of our property any additional level of governmental control or regulation other than the zoning ordinances already in place.
Members also expressed opposition to the plan’s Character Areas which:
- Do not reflect current land use and preexisting or approved zoning.
- Do not allow for sufficient transitional areas.
- Will deter badly needed job-growth in our county.
- Ignore growth patterns of surrounding counties.
- Ignore growth patterns already present in Cherokee County.
- Ignore planned infrastructure to be put in place by Cherokee Co. Water and Sewerage Authority.
Another point of discussion was the proposed Zoning Decision Process that will make rezoning requests even more cumbersome and bureaucratic than it is today.
CCPR stated the position that annexation is the result of past slow-growth policies and that the density in lower Cherokee will only continue. Any plan that does not reflect the inevitable growth of the county will only assure the enlargement of Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs, Ball Ground, and other incorporated areas.
Mr. Ahrens expressed his own concerns about the process and the contents of the plan, and changes that might be forthcoming. CCPR is very interested in seeing how the Land Use Plan and Map will develop in 2007.
Points of agreement included the need for commercial growth and the need for parks and recreation in Cherokee County.
Finally the topic turned to the Planning & Zoning appointments that were announced last week. From CCPR’s perspective, the new P&Z will be dominated by slow growth activists who are relatively new-comers to Cherokee County. Mr. Ahrens expressed confidence that the P&Z appointees will be fair-minded and impartial, and that there will be no conflict of interest. CCPR expressed hopes that it is not yet too late to make some changes in the lineup.
Chairman Ahrens has been described as a "listener" and "accessible," and he lived up to his reputation during the two hour meeting. At the conclusion, members wished Buzz success in his new job and promised to stay in touch.
Discussion: Comments
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