The Braselton news. (Jefferson, Ga) 2006-current, September 20, 2023, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextServing Braselton, Hoschton, Chateau Elan, Traditions, Reunion, Deaton Creek and West Jackson $1.00 copy Wednesday, September 20, 2023 Vol. 16 No. 41 A publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. www.BraseltonNewsTODAY.com 12 pages Big games ahead The Jackson County softball, team gears up for a critical portion of its regular season schedule PAGE7A Passing Panthers The Jackson County football team hopes to build on strides made in its passing game last week PAGE7A Jackson Co. County BOC sets tax rates, budget By Mike Buffington mike@mainstreetnews. com A major expansion of the Jackson County gov ernment’s financial foot print is on tap next year following action by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. The BOC set its mill- age rate and 2024 bud get on Sept. 18. The budget shows some key growth in revenues and expenses. The board set a mill- age rate of 7.748 mills in incorporated areas of the county and 6.171 mills for unincorporated ar eas. Both rates are lower than last year and are the full “rollback rates” to offset last year’s higher property assessments. The incorporated rate fell by 1.39 mills and unincorporated dropped by 1.629 mills (the dif ference in incorporated and unincorporated is due to how insurance premium taxes are han dled differently in the two areas.) In theory, proper ty owners should pay about the same coun ty-levied property taxes this year as they did last year if their assessment went up around 25% or less. Property values that went up over 30% See BOC, page 3A South Hall Hall BOC approves South Hall com maze, pumpkin patch By Ben Munro The Hall County Board ben@mainstreetnews.com 0 f Commissioners (BOC) Plans for a com maze and on Thursday (Sept. 14) pumpkin patch in South Hall unanimously approved an can proceed following final agri-entertainment use with approval from Hall County leaders See A PP roval >P a S e 1 2d INSIDE See the fall edition of Braselton TODAY inside this week’s paper MAILING LABEL Hoschton raUrr Photo by Ben Munro Residential development issues drew a packed house to the Hoschton City Council’s Sept. 14 work session. Major developments Large Hoschton development on Hwy. 53 approved unanimously By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews. com A 1,000-plus home development that was largely op posed by residents at public hearings and prompted an arbitration hearing with Jackson County received the green light from Hoschton leaders. The Hoschton City Council voted 4-0 Monday (Sept. 18) to approve an annexation and planned unit devel opment rezoning for Rocklyn Homes for 287 acres zoned agricultural on Hwy. 53 on the south side of town near the large Twin Lakes subdivision. The project will include 651 single-family homes, 404 townhomes and 24 acres of civic space. Groans were heard from those attending Monday’s meeting after the council passed the annexation and rezoning. The project had drawn considerable push- back from residents during two packed public hearings earlier this year. Those who spoke against the proj ect feared the impact of the large development on the city’s infrastructure — particularly water and sewer — and on local law enforcement, schools, police, fire service and traffic. Rocklyn representatives during public hearings said that they are in negotiations with Jackson County school leaders to sell the school system property at a below-market price for a future school site. See Hoschton, page 12A Vote on another large development in Hoschton tabled By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews. com Another large-scale development is pro posed for Hoschton. but an answer from the city council is on hold for at least a month City leaders on Monday (Sept. 18) tabled their vote on a rezoning request for 55 acres on Nancy Industrial Dr. and Amy Industrial Lane from light industrial to a planned unit development. The matter will come before the council again at its October voting ses sion The rezoning would allow for a mixed- unit development of 712 residences (360 apartments and 352 townhomes) and 63,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, office and civic space. Amenities include a poof green- space and pickleball courts. Five acres would be donated to the city. Charles Ross, who spoke on behalf of ap plicant G.R’s Enterprises, said the applicant was approached to build a track terminal, al lowed by right on the property, but switched those plans after being asked “by some of the See Development, page 12A o Braselton Recent analysis highlights Braselton population and demographic trends By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews.com A recent analysis revealed notable trends from Bra- selton’s population and de mographics compared to the four-county area (Jackson County, Hall County, Barrow County and Gwinnett Coun ty) in which the town’s mu nicipal limits reach. According to a study from Mark Kooyman, the CEO of a brand-growth firm, Experi ence, who once ran Cartoon Network, the town stands as more college educated and affluent with higher-priced housing than many of the neighboring populations. Kooyman presented the statistics Sept. 7 at the Bra selton Town Council’s work session. The analysis originat ed as a county-based presen tation to the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce in June and more recently to lo cal leaders. Here are the highlights of See Study, page 12A —ir A recent data analysis compared Braselton’s population and demographic trends against the town’s four-county region. o

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The Braselton news. (Jefferson, Ga) 2006-current, September 20, 2023, Image 1