At tonight's City Council meeting, I announced my intention to seek re-election to Post 1 this November. As some of you may know, I was elected last September in a special election to fill an unexpired term of a former Council Member. That term is set to run out at the end of this year and therefore, it is necessary for me to run again in the election this November to fill the seat from Post 1 for the full four year term.
I have enjoyed serving the people of Flowery Branch and I look forward to the opportunity to earn the chance to do so again. If you are interested in becoming involved with the campaign or wish to support my campaign by making a financial contribution, you can visit this website for more information or e-mail me at Amanda@AmandaSwafford.net.
In other news from tonight, the Council took steps to create a new zoning designation for heavy industrial and manufacturing uses. Currently, the City only has one zoning classification for all manufacturing and industry and the Council felt it made more sense to split that zoning requirement into two separate categories since some types of manufacturing and industrial uses traditionally have less impact on adjoining properties than other types. Contrary to what was published by The Gainesville Times this week, the new zoning designation did not materially change any of the conditions originally prescribed for property annexed into the City last year at the corners of McEver Road and Gaines Ferry Road. If anyone wants to see the proposed list of permissible uses in the two zoning designations, please contact me.
The Council also took affirmative steps to close a portion of Bragg Road owned by the City. Bragg Road connects Capitola Farm and Blackjack roads and is located behind the Sterling on the Lake neighborhood. Earlier this year when the Council first considered this matter, I decided to take a ride down Bragg Road and check it out for myself. The road is a very narrow gravel road with extremely deep ditches on either side of the roadway and has many varying levels of elevation. Besides concerns with the physical safety of the road, our police have also documented a lot of criminal behavior on the road. Thus, in an unanimous vote, the Council felt that closing the City's portion of the road was in the best interest of the citizens of Flowery Branch. Additional sections of the road owned by Hall County will now need to be addressed by the County at a future date.
As always, if anyone has any questions about these matters or any other issues considered by the Council, feel free to e-mail me at Amandasfb@flowerybranchga.org or call me any time at (770) 967-6681.
Amanda
