Friday, October 31, 2003

Union City annexation back on track

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
Special to The Citizen

Union City just keeps on growing.

After a 30 day grace period was given to the American Housing Group, Inc. to rethink sewage solutions for 20 acres of land along Dodson Road, the group returned to seek approval of its annexation plan at last week’s Union City Council Meeting.

Two problems with the current lift sewerage system held up progress on the project, but seem to have been solved. The installation of a surge arrestor,which prevents lightning from tripping the control panel, and purchase of a tensor probe, which will replace the older floater system will cost the city nearly $10,000.

ÊThe council was assured by one of its staff members that the cost would not vary a large degree and that a line item in the city budget would help fund the repair. Mayor Ralph Moore didn’t think the city should have to bear the cost. Representatives from the American Housing Group offered to contribute $5,000 towards the repair in order to move forward with the plans.

A motion was made by Councilman Helen Turner that the application be denied and seconded by Councilman Barbara Bohannon, but failed by a 5-2 count.

Two local residents also returned to speak out against the 20 acre annexation. Jerry Morelock of 602 Dodson Road and John Gray of 6125 Dodson Road reiterated their concerns. Morelock, who lives across the street from the planned site spoke briefly complementing the developers saying, “I heard the explanations which are great, but as Harry Truman once said ‘The buck stops here.’ “

John Gray was more outspoken and to the point. “These houses that are 1,400 square feet are very much below the housing in our neighborhood. We all have three to 10 acre lots.”

Gray felt a more “responsible decision” would be to upgrade the house sizes at least by one step.

“I feel this is downgrading our neighborhood and I want to know why Union City can’t get something better than medium sized housing.” Gray never received a direct answer to that question.

The mayor asked for any other comments before the motion was passed to rezone the acreage from Fulton County AG-1 Agricultural to RMD-1 Residential Medium Density housing.

Consideration of the Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance was bandied about next. The rewrite adopts the Housing Authorities State Law that requires a distance of 600 feet between entrances which sell liquor and those places of worship or public meetings.

The new rule intends as its primary purpose to dissuade “the significant decline of our mall area,” Moore remarked. He pointed out a strong desire for more upscale restaurants in the city.

“Business is business for restaurants and they only come if they have liquor,” he said.

After passing the amendment which also included an increase of the liquor license from $500 to $550, an alcoholic beverage application was approved for two gasoline-convenience stores.