Newspaper Page Text
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2009
THE JACKSON HERALD
PAGE 5A
Chateau Elan, hospital to fuel Braselton growth
Braselton
working on
20-year plan
BY KERRI TESTEMENT
CHATEAU ELAN and a
proposed hospital will anchor
Braselton’s future “economic syn
ergy,” according to a consultant.
Lakey Boyd, principal of the
Market + Main, said the area
around Ga. Hwy. 211 and
Thompson Mill Road in Braselton
is the best spot in the town for
offices — especially those for
medical-based businesses.
“We feel like this has the most
potential, in terms of activity cen
ters, at least in the short-term,”
she said.
Boyd is one of several consul
tants from three firms working on
Braselton’s comprehensive plan
— a document that will guide
planning for the town over the
next 20 years.
Tuesday’s gathering marked
the third public meeting address
ing the community “vision” of
the town. Braselton is required
to finish its comprehensive plan
update in October 2010, although
it is expected to be completed
this fall.
Eric Bosnian, associate prin
cipal of Urban Collage, said
planning-related decisions for the
next two decades must follow
Braselton’s comprehensive plan
to be legal.
“You’re basically laying the
ground rules for the next 20 years,”
he told a group of residents.
Based on a community prefer
ence survey and input from a
public meeting in April, the con
sultants identified eight “character
areas” in Braselton.
Those areas will set the “char
acter, vision and expectation” for
those geographic areas for the
next 20 years, Bosnian said.
Now, town officials will roll up
their sleeves to focus on the top
three “character areas” — those
areas most likely to see signifi
cant growth over the next two
decades.
The top three “character areas”
are the historic downtown, the
Hwy. 211/Thompson Mill
Road “activity center” and the
“Braselton Gateway,” at 1-85 and
Hwy. 211 in Barrow County.
Bosnian said the town should
capitalize on the proposed South
Hall campus of Northeast Georgia
Medical Center, which should
attract new medical-based offices
and jobs along Hwy. 211 and
Thompson Mill Road.
The Gainesville-based health
system is planning to open a
100-bed hospital in Braselton in
2012, although the plans remain
the center of an ongoing law
suit. A medical office building to
serve the new hospital opened on
Thompson Mill Road in 2008.
Chateau Elan is also expected
to remain an economic force for
Braselton, too.
The winery and resort’s master
plan includes an estimated 2,200
houses at final build out. Chateau
Elan’s master plan also features
retail space at the intersection of
Hwy. 211 and Thompson Mill
Road.
“Those are the two economic
engines that are going to drive that
area,” Bosnian said.
The best spot for retail devel
opments in town will be the
“Braselton Gateway” near 1-85
and Hwy. 211, Boyd said.
That area includes large, vacant
land that could feature high-qual
ity, regional commercial projects,
Bosnian said.
And the success of attracting
private investment in historic
downtown will hinge on public
ly-funded improvements in the
area and better market conditions,
Bosnian said.
Braselton plans to build a “town
green” in the heart of downtown
and improve other aspects of the
area with a streetscape project.
Boyd said the consultants have
been making their recommenda
tions for the town based on exist
ing market conditions.
“A lot of things can change
in this five-year window, 10-year
window and certainly 20 years
from now,” she said.
However, the economic slow
down has allowed governments
to better plan for growth, Bosnian
pointed out.
“At some point, our vision hits
an economic reality,” he said.
A community survey identified
funding public services, a town
center or gathering place, and
parks and open space as the top
budget priorities in Braselton.
Among the top quality of life
issues, Braselton residents said
they wanted to encourage quality
design and development, enhance
the town’s identity, balance land
uses and make transportation
improvements.
When asked what “icons”
Braselton has, survey respon
dents said town hall/downtown.
Chateau Elan and the Braselton
family homes in downtown.
And when it comes to housing,
there is a general consensus in the
town that Braselton has plenty of
starter houses and executive hous
es — but is missing a “middle
market” of residences, Bosnian
said.
Survey respondents also said
they moved to Braselton because
of its location, its balance of
“country” and “city,” Chateau
Elan, and some said they moved
back to their “hometown.”
“A lot of folks are here because
of Chateau Elan — either the resi
dential development or the golf
courses that they frequent on a
regular basis,” Bosnian said.
Interestingly, the survey showed
that Braselton newcomers favored
to leave the town unchanged,
while long-time residents wanted
changes, he added.
CITIZENS OFFER INPUT
Braselton Mayor Pat Graham (far right) listens to Donna Bryant during Tuesday’s
public hearing on the town’s comprehensive plan. Bryant, along with Sandie Miller
(middle) were some of the estimated 20 residents that gathered to offer their input
on the comprehensive plan update. Photo by Kerri Testement
Thanks ‘boys
Dear Editor:
We wish to thank the 2009
Jefferson Varsity Baseball Team
and Staff for one of the most
exciting high school baseball
seasons we have ever witnessed.
What a game, what a team, what
a season! Edge-of-your-seat plays,
cheering until we went hoarse
and standing ovations for those
exhilarating runs slammed over
the fence.
Thank you Coach Knight for
your dedication and leadership
that was reflected in the continu
ous improvement of skills and
teamwork throughout the season.
Thank you parents for your par
ticipation in the lives of these
Thanks for
Dear Editor:
I would like to express my
heartfelt appreciation to everyone
who helped in any way to make
the Rev. Dennis and Frances
Kesler benefit a great success.
It is wonderful to live in a com
munity with such a giving heart
even in times that are tough for
everyone. It is a joy to see such a
cooperative spirit among all those
who worked tirelessly to conduct
such a wonderful appreciation
day.
of summer’
young men, which was evident
in their fine character and sports
manship. And a special thank you
to the community for embracing
the “newcomers” and allowing us
to participate in the triumphs and
disappointments of your young
people.
We salute the Dragon Fans,
Friends and Family who make
every game so much fun and end
lessly entertaining. We look for
ward to next Spring when we will
once again hear that wonderful
and timelessly American phrase
“Play Ball!”
Sincerely,
Jack and Frances Lester
Jefferson Dragon Boosters
benefit help
Bro. Dennis and Mrs. Frances
have been a blessing to many
families over the years and it was
a joy for them to see such an
outpouring of friendship with
everyone coming by to enjoy the
fellowship.
May God bless our country and
each one of you.
Sincerely,
Mike Stowers
Pastor, New Hope
Baptist Church
Nicholson
Sewer spill reported in Jefferson
A SEWER SPILL was report
ed in Jefferson last week.
In accordance with the
Georgia Environmental
Protection Division, the City of
Jefferson is required to notify
the public of a minor sewer
spill (less than 10,000-gallons).
The spill occurred along the
main sanitary sewer located
beneath Athens Street.
The broken sanitary sewer was
repaired on Saturday, May 16.
Warning notices have been
posted at the Curry Creek tribu
tary that crosses under Athens
Street. Water quality samples
have been taken and analyzed.
No harmful contaminants were
detected, city officials state.
The family of
LOUISE MADDOX
Would like to express our sincere
gratitude to all who had a part in the
memorial of our mother.
Special thanks to Walnut Fork Baptist
Church and Evans Funeral Home.
Ann and Donna
and Grandchildren
Noise continued from page 1A
don’t fall on a Friday or
Saturday. The city manager
and police chief would have
to approve the request.
The council also added a
clause to the ordinance that
would say if one portion of
the noise ordinance is ruled
void, the entire ordinance
would not be voided.
The noise ordinance
changes will take effect on
July 1.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business on
Monday, the Jefferson City
Council:
•named Greg Laugh-
inghouse and Robert Martin
to the city planning com
mission. Laughinghouse
and Martin will fill two
vacant seats after Arcade left
the Quad Cities Planning
Commission.
•reappointed Vernel Hix
and Jane Kinney to the
library board. Council mem
ber Steve Kinney recused
himself from the vote.
•approved a resolution sup
porting “Preserve America.”
The move will allow the city
to apply for grants from the
organization.
•declared several items
from the police department,
including cell phones, old
uniforms, a patrol vehicle, a
camcorder and radio equip
ment, as surplus and selling
it.
•appointed city clerk
Elizabeth McDonald as elec
tion superintendent and Ron
King as election manager.
LANDSCAPING & HORSE ARENAS
• RIVER SAND
• TOP SOIL
• RIVER ROCK
• WHITE SAND
• FILL DIRT
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437 Lee Street
Jefferson, GA 30549
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Make plans for Relay for Life
THE ANNUAL
American Cancer
Society Relay For
Life in Jackson
County is just
around the comer
and I hope that you
have made your
plans to be there.
The location has
changed this year,
but the event will
be just as great as
it has ever been.
If you have never attended,
I hope that you will make
the effort to come see what
all the excitement is about.
We will be holding
the relay at East Jackson
Comprehensive High School
at their wonderful football
facility on May 29 and 30.
The ceremony will begin
at 7 p.m. The school is
located just off Highway
441, between Commerce
and Nicholson. If you need
directions, just call 706-367-
8574 or 706-367-9721 and
we will be glad to give you
the best way to get there.
Many of us are true die
hard relay participants and
we have been involved
since the relay first began in
Jackson County. Many of us
have been asked why we do
this event year after year. It
is hard to explain to some
one that has never attended
the relay just how this event
can change a person’s life.
How do you explain
about a newly-diagnosed
cancer patient who attends
the relay and meets another
cancer survivor that has
the same form of cancer
that he does and he is still
alive? What a great testi
monial for the new cancer
patient. He now has HOPE!
How do you explain about
a caregiver who has trav
eled the path of compas
sion, love, joy, sorrow, guilt,
loss and depression? You
tell about them meeting the
only other person who could
possibly understand this dif
ficult journey they have been
on - another caregiver.
How do you explain about
a friend or co-worker who
has seen someone they know
and love battle this deadly
disease and felt they could
do very little to help? Yes,
they could take the person to
treatments, mow their yard
or take them dinner, but they
feel that this just isn’t enough.
For relay they form a team,
raise money, educate people
about cancer, and fight back
against a disease that takes too
much. This is how they help.
These people have discov
ered that at the relay the main
ingredient of the event is -
HOPE. You feel it in the air
at 3 a.m. when you’re walk
ing the track for your team.
Energy is in the air and you
can almost touch it
in the morning mist.
This energy is HOPE
and it is the combined
power of hundreds
and thousands of
people that come
together in a common
cause - to eradicate a
terrible disease. Just
imagine this energy
taking place at relays
all around the world!
There are many
people that say they don’t
come to relay because they
can’t stay up all night. You
don’t have to stay up. Come
for the survivor lap, enjoy all
the great food that is avail
able, take part in the games
and enjoy the wonderful
entertainment we have each
year, and then leave when you
get tired. You don’t have to
be on a team to participate in
the event. Come support your
friends and neighbors and
most of all give your support
to the survivors. That is what
this is all about - survivors.
If you are survivor, we
want you at the relay. We
have been told that there are
approximately 2000 survivors
in Jackson County. Where
are they? Last year we had
about 150 to attend the event
and this year we want more.
The relay is for you and
about how more people are
surviving cancer because of
the new treatment and medi
cines that have been found
through research. Funding for
research comes from money
that is raised through relays.
We are proud that we have so
many survivors in the county
and we want to recognize
you so please come join us
on Friday night, May 29.
I want to personally thank
everyone that is helping the
relay in any way. I am a can
cer survivor and I have lost
too many friends and relatives
to this deadly disease. I have
some great friends that are
fighting the cancer battle right
now and I don’t want them
to lose. It means a lot when
you know that a community
has taken up the fight also.
That is what relay is — the
community fighting cancer
and giving HOPE to the sur
vivors and future generations.
The relay is held to remem
ber those we have lost to
cancer, to give support to
everyone battling the dis
ease and to work toward the
day that no one ever has to
hear the words - “you have
cancer” - again. Now is not
the time to give up. Now
is the time to stand up and
remember, celebrate and fight
back. Please come join us.
Sandra Fite is an employee
with MainStreet Newspapers
and is a member of the
Relay for Life committee.
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