Notice of Meeting
The City Building & Planning Committee of the City of Hiawassee will be meeting to discuss the Whiskey Mountain Development on Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, at 6 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers at 50 River Street, Hiawassee GA.
Building & Planning Committee Minutes Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, at 6 pm
The Hiawassee Building and Planning Committee met on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 6PM in Council Chambers at 50 River Street, Hiawassee, GA 30546. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Nancy Noblet. The meeting was open to the public.
Present in addition to Chairman Noblet were Committee members Ken Pollard, Paul Scherer, Matt Espalin, and Jonathan Wilson. Staff present were Court and Permitting Clerk Sheryl Branson, Police Officer Jose Carvajal, and City Clerk Bonnie Kendrick. Mayor Pro Tem Jay Chastain, Council member Amy Barrett and City Building Inspector Randy Day were also present, and City Attorney Thomas Mitchell attended by telephone.
The invocation was given by Chairman Noblet and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Noblet welcomed everyone and expressed her appreciation for their presence. She thanked the staff, Mayor, Building Inspector, Council member and Committee members for being there.
Motion to approve the agenda as distributed was made by Committee member Paul Scherer, seconded by Committee member Jonathan Wilson with all in favor.
Motion to approve the minutes of the June and April meetings was made by Committee member Matt Espalin, seconded by Committee member Paul Scherer with all in favor.
Chairman Noblet stated this was a special called meeting so that the committee could hear firsthand from Scott Benton regarding the phase 1 development of the 14.4-acre property on Whiskey Mountain and there would be no voting on the project at the meeting. She stated that, because this was the largest development the Committee had been presented, they wanted to be sure they were doing things correctly.
Scott Benton presented his plans for the development on Whiskey Mountain (Phase 1), and his request for a land use permit to put the road in. He will not be the one submitting building permits and expects that will be a local builder. The lower section is under the 2200’ elevation line, so is not subject to the Mountain Protection Act. He also stated that there is a workforce housing grant he is interested in. The road need to be built so that surveying can be done and soil testing will be done on each lot. Mr. Benton stated that there are multiple steps to the project and right now he needs approval to do the roadway. He has offered the city easement for fire hydrants that will protect the development as well as the home on Belaire Drive and is trying to give back to the city. This will provide for a loop on the water line and that needs to be laid out before the roads are completed. He is looking for conceptual approval and will provide the city with a 15’ easement. City Attorney Thomas Mitchell asked Mr. Benton to explain where the easement would be as he was driving and not able to look at the plat. Mr. Benton stated it will run up the right side of the property (as seen looking from Main Street) along the Belaire Drive property lines but may need to jog into the property because of some topographical issues with water lines. Mr. Benton stated the lot lines will go to the center of the road and will do final plat “as built”. Attorney Mitchell stated he will draft a document with conditional approval language for the preliminary plat and that it will protect both Mr. Benton and the city.
Mr. Benton stated he has a stamped survey plan, the Notice of Intent and a land disturbance permit. He stated the roadway would be as near to what is shown on the plat as possible, but there is rock that he may need to work around and does not intend to do any blasting to build the road. Mr. Benton will send the exhibit of placement of the water lines to Attorney Mitchell. Attorney Mitchell stated that the water line needs to be accessible to the city employees to maintain. Mr. Benton stated he had been working with Carl Grizzle on the details.
Because of the size and scope of the project, Attorney Mitchell is suggesting that the approval (with conditions), be voted on by the committee at the December 17th, 2024 regular meeting. Mr. Benton stated he would prepare a storyboard of the property in the interim and Attorney Michell stated that would be helpful.
Committee member Ken Pollard asked about the cutting of trees and Mr. Benton stated he will keep as many trees as possible and has no intention of clear cutting. Mr. Benton was also asked about the easement from Belaire Drive and he said he is working with Ryan Snow of Union General Hospital but has not yet been successful connecting with the right person. He has offered to purchase the land or to cut a road in so that the hospital will have access to the property.
Mr. Benton also stated that the phase 1 development would be on city sewer, but the phase 2 development will be on septic systems. Both phases will be on city water.
An adjoining property owner, Mike Parrish, is interesting in an easement to put in a road from his property which would provide multiple access points for emergency vehicles.
Council member Amy Barrett asked if Mr. Benton had spoken to the city’s engineering firm but was advised that they project had not progressed to that point yet. Mr. Benton stated that in his experience, it should not be an issue that outflow pipes need to be of a size large enough for future expansion.
Building Inspector Randy Day asked to see the Notice of Intent and reviewed it. He stated that there needed to be a soil and erosion plan. He also stated that the city did not have the authority to issue a land disturbance permit.
There being no further questions, motion to adjourn was made by Committee member Matt Espalin, seconded by Committee member Paul Scherer with all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 6:41pm.