Newspaper Page Text
Serving Braselton, Hoschton, Chateau Elan, Traditions, Reunion, Deaton Creek and West Jackson 500 copy
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Vol. 10 No. 32 A publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. www.BraseltonNewsTODAY.com 16 pages, 2 sections
WJ warehouse request tabled
Developers propose traffic improvements, commercial section for Hwy. 53
By Alex Pace
A request for another large warehouse in West Jackson
was tabled on Monday with a 4-1 vote.
The Jackson County Board of Commissioners postponed
a vote until next month on two requests from Ridgeline
Property Group. Developers plan to construct a one-million
square-foot industrial site at 6275 Hwy. 53, Braselton, but
face heavy restrictions since the property is located within
the West Jackson overlay district.
Ridgeline is requesting an increase in the building size (up
from 150,000 sq. ft.) and the use of concrete tilt, which Rid
geline’s Mike Gray said is a preferred construction method.
Staff members and the Jackson County Planning Commis
sion recommended denying the two requests.
Gray presented his case for the development on Monday,
touting the additional jobs and tax revenues the develop
ment would bring. He said the larger building would be
easier on utilities; attract a better tenant; and bring a lower
amount of traffic compared to other industrial uses.
Gray admitted traffic is an issue on Hwy. 53. His proposed
solution is to implement turning lanes and decel lanes and
create a four-lane entrance into the development.
He also proposed preserving the front section of the devel
opment (fronting Hwy. 53) for some type of commercial
use. The entire property is zoned industrial, though, and
would require a map amendment and rezoning before any
part could be used as commercial.
At least one commissioner is concerned about granting a
variance in the overlay district. Commissioner Chas Hardy
said the strict rules attempt to control traffic and aesthetics
in the area. He questioned whether granting one variance
would open the door to more requests.
“From there on out, we have no legs to stand on,” said
Hardy.
The request will be heard again in August after a split vote
to table it (with Ralph Richardson opposed).
Braselton woman
calls for stricter
fireworks rules
By Alex Pace
Fireworks light up the sky during many holidays. The
bright lights and loud noises are a source of entertainment
for some, but a nuisance to others.
A Braselton woman is calling for stricter regulations on
fireworks after the recent July 4 holiday. Cynthia Gilmore
told the Jackson County Board of Commissioners Monday
that she spent four days with a “traumatized, heavily sedat
ed dog” while a neighbor set off fireworks.
She noted the noise impacts “livestock, pets, elderly peo
ple, PTSD sufferers and children” and questioned why the
county doesn’t have a noise ordinance.
“To date, there’s no noise ordinance in Jackson County,
which seems odd given construction noise, fireworks and
gunshots shot off indiscriminately,” Gilmore said.
Gilmore also cited the amount of time public safety
spends responding to nuisance calls.
“Why should one individual be allowed to disrupt so
many and tie up manpower with impunity,” she said.
Gilmore proposed the board educate the public about the
state’s fireworks laws; contact state representatives to get
the laws changed; and “put more bite” in citations. She also
plans to contact her state representatives.
Hoschton
man arrested
in drug bust
Hall County authorities arrested a Hoschton man last
week in a big drug bust in Buford.
Jason Lee Watson, 40. of Hoschton, and Meagan Victo
ria Feaster, 26, of Gainesville, face charges of trafficking
heroin; possession of heroin with the intent to distribute;
trafficking methamphetamine; possession of methamphet-
amine with the intent to distribute; possession with the
intent to distribute LSD, MDMA, hydrocodone, oxy
codone, alprazolam, suboxone, clonazepam, methadone,
amphetamine and hentermine; possession of marijuana;
and possession of a firearm during the commission of a
felony.
Hall County’s Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad task force
officers arrested the duo on July 11. Officers found the
duo at a campsite on Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford, and
confiscated 30.5 grams of heroin packaged in three separate
bags; 352 grams of methamphetamine packaged in four
separate bags; two doses of LSD; an MDMA pill; eight
grams of marijuana; and 94 pills of various types.
The drags totaled nearly $42,000.
Officers also found a handgun, digital scales, drag para
phernalia and over $5,600 in cash.
Watson and Feaster were booked into the Hall County
Jail.
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Racers take
a lap at
Road Atlanta
Racers take a lap at
Road Atlanta during
an event that was
held this past week
end. The Braselton
racing venue was the
site of Performance
Riding Experience
(PRE) Track Days
over the weekend.
Photos by
Jessica Brown
Culver’s vote
deferred
By Alex Pace
Developers have deferred a request for a Culver’s
drive-thru restaurant in Braselton.
Carter Engineering Consultants is requesting a con
ditional use for a drive-thru Culver’s restaurant within
the Highpointe Development. The Braselton Planning
Commission was set for a public hearing on July 24, but
developers have deferred the request.
The Braselton Town 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-thras and added traffic on Thompson Mill Road.
A request for annexation and rezoning of 9.3 acres at
1492 Jesse Cronic Road is still on the July 24 agenda.
Tom Henderson is requesting a residential rezoning.
English charged
in Floyd scheme
A Hoschton man is among those charged in a massive
theft and bribery scheme involving the Floyd County
School System in Rome.
David Gary English, 38, was arrested last week on theft
by taking, bribery and violation of the Georgia RICO Act.
according to the Rome News-Tribune.
English is an owner of Southeastern Security Profession
als. He is alleged to have taken more than $60,000 from
the school system between 2011 and 2014; to have bribed
the system’s former maintenance director with money and
Atlanta Hawks tickets.
A civil suit has also been filed in the case.
Allegations about a massive fraud scheme came out in
2015, according to the RNT. Ten people are alleged to have
inflated and falsified invoices being paid by the school
system.
