Newspaper Page Text
Serving Braselton, Hoschton, Chateau Elan, Traditions, Reunion, Deaton Creek and West Jackson 500 copy
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Vol. 10 No. 38 A publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. www.BraseltonNewsTODAY.com 16 pages, 2 sections
Culver’s gets initial green light
Two new Braselton planners want traffic study before vote
By Alex Pace
A request for another drive-thru restau
rant in Braselton got the initial green light
on Monday despite the votes of two new
planners.
The Braselton Planning Commission
voted 3-2 to approve a drive-thru for a
Culver's within the Highpointe Develop
ment with newly-appointed members Billy
Edwards and Stephanie Williams opposed.
A second public hearing is planned at the
Braselton Town Council’s Sept. 7 meeting
with a possible vote Sept. 11.
Culver's, a restaurant known for its burg
ers and custard, plans to locate within the
Highpointe Development off Hwy. 211
between Thompson Mill Road and Hwy.
347. John Stell, who spoke for the appli
cation, said unlike the previously approved
coffee shops and Chick-fil-A, most Culver’s
patrons (about 60 percent) are expected to
choose the dine-in option over the drive-
thru.
The proposed Braselton site includes 54
parking spaces and will likely have over
100 inside seats.
The request raised questions from
Edwards and Williams, who voted to post
pone the application until developers com
plete a traffic study to see if a stop light is
necessary at the intersection of Hwy. 347
and the development's entrance.
Edwards argued that without that light,
most people traveling from the develop
ment to the Spout Springs Road area will
take a right-turn on Thompson Mill Road to
avoid a left turn on Hwy. 347.
But commission member Tony Price
argued a traffic study will only look at
current traffic patterns. He said the site may
not warrant a stop light today, but may need
one after Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Braselton expands and other developments
in the area come online.
(Another development site plan was
recently approved at the comer of Thomp
son Mill Road and Hwy. 211. Known as
“The Village at Chateau,” the development
includes a 36,000 square-foot grocery store,
along with 16,800 sq. ft. of shops and 5.200
sq. ft. of retail shops.)
Fearing an increase in traffic, many area
residents have been vocal opponents during
public hearings for other requests.
On Monday, Dale Shapiro was the only
citizen to speak up about the request. She
questioned what the traffic volume will be
and whether Culver’s high-volume traffic
times will coincide with high-traffic times
of other nearby restaurants.
Williams questioned fellow commission
members on how they would address cit
izens who are upset with the number of
drive-thrus in the area.
Commission member Burgess Baird said
that if the town wants restaurants, it has to
approve drive-thrus. With the exception of
sit-down eateries, Baird said most franchis
es have drive-thrus.
“It’s what the people want,” he said.
Williams also questioned whether the
town has considered capping the number of
drive-thrus.
“When is enough, enough?” she asked.
The application was approved with sev
eral conditions, requiring an internal side
walk and limiting signage and architectural
colors.
continued on page 2A
One council
seat contested
in Braselton
We Remember 50 Years Ago:
The Floyd Hoard Assassination
Part 5:
The trials and
aftermath for county
Starts on Page 1B
Two people qualified for a Braselton Town Council
seat vacated by Rhonda Stites. The District 4 council
seat is the only contested position on the Nov. 7 ballot.
Candidates for the District 4 seat are: Robert Clark
(6322 Stonebridge Cove, 678-230-7675) and Hardy
Johnson (5799 Chickasaw Lane, 954-205-6068).
Only incumbents qualified for the remaining seats
up for election including Braselton mayor Bill Orr and
District 2 council person Peggy Slappey.
In Hoschton, incumbent mayor Theresa Kenerly and
council members Jim Cleveland and Tracy Jordan were
the only people to qualify.
The voter registration deadline for the Nov. 7 election
is Oct. 10.
Town Green named
best design project ’
The Braselton Town Green earned the Downtown
Excellence - Best Design Project of the Year last week
at the Georgia Downtown Association's annual confer
ence.
“The project is a work of art that encompasses exactly
what the community wanted exactly where they wanted
it,” said town manager Jennifer Scott. “It's a gathering
place for municipal, business or private events and built
for everyone to enjoy. The gazebo, paved paths, open
grassy areas and benches lend to a perfect amphitheater
for gatherings.”
Presented in Columbus, the project required moving
a state highway in a National Register historic district
with a creek crossing it to make it all come together.
The project was completed during the Town’s centennial
year of 2016.
“We appreciate the honor by the Georgia Downtown
Association,” said mayor Bill Orr. “Town Green is a
perfect complement to the historic Braselton Brothers
Store center with its myriad businesses. It's also envi
sioned to be a catalyst for future private development in
our downtown.”
The Georgia Downtown Association is an advocacy,
education and training organization which promotes
the economic redevelopment of Georgia's traditional
downtowns.
Park scene of ‘Flash Mob’ birthday
Surprise!
Barbara Rowley was sur
prised when she received
lots of hugs and gifts
from friends and family
last Monday on the Town
Green in Braselton. Those
who participated were
part of Jackson County’s
first flash mob who faked
their interest in the total
solar eclipse when in
fact they were there to
celebrate Rowley’s 75th
birthday. See more on
page 3A.
Photos by Wesleigh Sagon
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Man gets prison, $300,000 fine
A Gaffney, S.C., man pled guilty to a drug charge
and was fined $300,000 in Superior Court of Jackson
County recently.
Randy Hodge, 41. pled guilty to trafficking in meth-
amphetamine. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison
with credit for time served and waived his Fourth
Amendment rights, in addition to the fine.
He was arrested Jan. 11 after a two-vehicle accident
ended with him trapped in a car on Interstate 85. The
car was traveling north on the interstate.
Arrested with him was Tiffany Leeann Suttles. They
were charged with possession of methamphetamine,
driving while driver’s license is suspended or revoked,
no proof of insurance, possession with intent to dis
tribute a controlled substance, possession of marijuana
less than an ounce, trafficking in illegal drugs, posses
sion of a controlled substance and original container
violation.
According to “inmate information” on the sheriff's
office website, Suttles remains in the county jail. Sut
tles. 33. is from Forest City, N.C.
Suttles has pled not guilty, according to the clerk of
court's office.
Braselton police officers were first on the scene of
the wreck.
Bundles of money fell from the overturned vehicle,
and the towing company later found more money and
several cell phones.