Newspaper Page Text
Serving Braselton, Hoschton, Chateau Elan, Traditions, Reunion, Deaton Creek and West Jackson 500 copy
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Vol. 10 No. 31 A publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. www.BraseltonNewsTODAY.com 12 pages
Downtown residential community proposed
By Alex Pace
Developers are proposing a residential com
munity in downtown Braselton with a mix of
townhomes and single-family units.
Mike and Robin Embry, longtime developers
in metro-Atlanta, spoke to the Braselton Down
town Development Authority’s economic vitality
committee on Friday. The duo plans to construct
229 residential units on 63 acres behind the old
cotton gin on Davis Street.
Two entrances are planned, one on Davis Street
with the other on Maddox Road.
Townhomes would front Davis Street and M.
Embry hopes to establish those properties as live/
work for residents who want to run a home busi
ness. Parking has been adjusted on the concept
plan to make room for occasional patrons.
Other than that, no exclusive commercial or
retail space is planned within the development.
M. Embry said there just isn't enough room.
“We don’t really have a spot for it,” he said.
Rooftops also have to come before small retail
and commercial shops can survive, M. Embry
said.
Property neighboring the cotton gin is slated
for future commercial use, though. Matt Ruppel
said that project may begin after the cotton gin
is rehabbed and converted to a brewpub and the
town’s infrastructure is completed in the area.
“That’s the next step on the agenda.” Ruppel
said.
The group also discussed ways to connect the
proposed residential areas to downtown, includ
ing a possible green path. One of the main goals,
M. Embry said, is to get the residents to walk to
downtown.
The price point will vary on the residences,
but M. Embry said he wants to keep everything
under $400,000.
Developers are looking at classic home designs,
so the houses will look like they’re a part of the
historic community. Open space and park areas
are also planned within the community.
It will also likely be open for all ages. M.
Embry said he thinks there are “enough” age-re
stricted coming into the area.
The property is located in three jurisdictions:
Braselton, Hoschton and Jackson County. That
may make things more complicated as develop
ers will have to get some property annexed.
M. Embry said the property could close at the
first of the year and the project could begin next
spring.
But first, they plan to involve the nearby com
munity. M. Embry said they may send out letters
to neighbors to seek community input.
Checking out cotton gin designs
After hearing about the proposed residential community behind
the cotton gin in downtown Braselton, the economic vitality com
mittee got a look at possible designs for the rehabbed cotton gin.
Developers are working on financing and design plans. They plan
to convert the site to become a brewpub.
Getting creative during art class
BrieAnna Harrison and Morgan Bryan are shown having fun crafting Saturday morning at the Hoschton
Heritage Arts Council and Heart and Soul’s third annual summer art class. See more on page 3A.
Photo by Jessica Brown
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Beauty and the Beast
to screen Saturday
The popular “Beauty and the Beast” will be the movie
under the Town Green stars in downtown Braselton on
Saturday, July 15, at dusk.
Rated PG, the movie runs 129 minutes and stars
Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast.
The movie is free to all who are encouraged to bring
blankets or chairs. Food vendors are scheduled to offer
a variety of items.
This and other family events are presented by the Bra
selton Visitors Bureau.
The Town Green is located in the heart of the historic
downtown at 9924 Davis Street.
For more information, visit www.braseltonevents.com.
Culver’s proposed
in Braselton
By Alex Pace
Braselton town leaders will consider another request for
a drive-thru restaurant within the Highpointe Development
later this month.
Carter Engineering Consultants is requesting a condi
tional use for a drive-thru Culver’s restaurant within the
development. The Braselton Planning Commission will
have a public hearing on July 24, followed by a Braselton
Town Council public hearing on Aug. 10.
The council has approved several drive-thru restaurants
within the development, including the recently-approved
Chick-fil-A. But the proposals have brought opposition,
against both the increase in drive-thrus and added traffic on
Thompson Mill Road.
The development is located on Hwy. 211 in between
Hwy. 347 and Thompson Mill Road.
Also at its meeting, the planning commission and coun
cil will consider a request for annexation and rezoning of
9.3 acres at 1492 Jesse Cronic Road. Tom Henderson is
requesting a residential rezoning.
Hoschton mulls council
pay, city administrator
By Alex Pace
How much should a mayor and city council member be
paid?
City attorney Thomas Mitchell brought up that topic at
the Hoschton City Council’s meeting on Monday.
He said if the city wants to make a change, it needs to
do so before qualifying in August. The change can’t be
implemented until after a city election.
Mitchell noted “it is becoming a problem” to get people
to run for office in some parts of the state. Increased pay
could be an incentive to get some candidates to run.
The Hoschton City Council and mayor are paid on a
per-meeting basis, but many said they don’t accept any
payment.
Council member Jim Cleveland recommended paying
the mayor $1,600 a month and council members $100 a
month.
“That’s what I would consider fair for a size of town like
this,” he said, adding he wouldn’t accept any payment.
Others stressed council members should be motivated to
help the city, not by money.
“No one’s up here for the money,” said council member
Mindi Kiewert.
The council discussed several options, but no action
was taken. Among those was implementing pay for future
council members and mayors, but not for current members.
Another option would be increasing the mayor’s pay only
until a city administrator is hired. As the city grows, the
council may look to hire an administrator.
No action was taken on that item, either, and mayor The
resa Kenerly noted “maybe it’s not quite time.”
DEPOT RATE HIKE DETERS CUSTOMERS
Rentals have declined after a recent rate hike for the
Hoschton Train Depot.
The council previously voted to raise the cost for the
rental to $250 for Hoschton residents and $350 for out-of-
city residents. Renters must also submit a $150 security
deposit, which is refunded after the event.
“I wouldn’t rent it for that either,” said Cleveland.
The number of events reportedly declined after the rate
hike. (It was only rented once in the past month).
continued on page 2
