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M&C OK CC Expansion
Plan, Hancock Closing
Although several commissioners argued for
further consideration, a plan to expand the
Classic Center by permanently closing a block
of Hancock Avenue went forward last week on
an 8-2 commission vote. Critics of the pro
posal seemed to become increasingly scarce as
the expanded public input process reached its
close, while supporters continued to warn that
delay would cost the county in future con
vention business. Only commissioners Jared
Bailey and Ed Robinson voted against pro
ceeding with "Option 1A," which will double
the size of the Classic Center's existing exhibit
hall by building it out across what is now a
public street.
"I think we're being pushed too hard with
too little information," said Bailey, adding
he'd like to "shelve this project for as long as
it takes for us to do it right." Robinson said
some plan is needed for encouraging retail
along Foundry Street, and that the street
closing may be "killing off the expansion of a
large portion of downtown."
Commissioner Harry Sims warned that a
proposed river district, where it has been sug
gested much of that expansion would take
place, was once used as a trash dump "from
the top of the hill all the way down to the
river," and that remediating it for residential
uses would be expensive. A consultant's report
on developing such a district is expected
soon.
The approved concept will allow a planned
hotel next door to the Classic Center to be
connected directly to it—or nearly so—by
swapping two strips of land between the
private hotel's developer and the county,
closing the entire block of Hancock between
Thomas and Foundry streets. Both parties have
agreed in principle to such a swap, which
will also allow better service access from
Dougherty Street to the expanded exhibit hall.
And dipping a foot into state politics, the
commissioners passed a resolution asking Gov.
Nathan Deal in a letter to veto House Bill 179,
which would allow billboard companies to
remove trees from public property if they block
billboards. Suggested by Commissioner Andy
Herod and approved unanimously, the letter
says the law would bar even tree-planting pro
grams that might block future billboards. And
"the Georgia Department of Transportation
has revealed that their costs for managing the
billboard program last year were 5915,000 but
their revenues were only 5155,000," requiring
taxpayers to subsidize the billboard industry,
the letter says. The City of Roswell has passed
a similar resolution.
Commissioners also voted to broaden a
local ordinance to allow occasional special
events (like music concerts) at locations other
than just downtown. Under present law, the
county had declined to gi/e permits for a
proposed Georgia Theatre benefit concert off
Spring Valley Road, ACC Planning Director Brad
Griffin told Flagpole. Mayor Nancy Denson put
the broader ordinance on last week's agenda,
and commissioners passed it unanimously; it
allows events up to 72 hours long in certain
rural, commercial and industrial zones (at
least 300 feet from any residence), provided
noise, alcohol and other ordinances are com
plied with. Griffin said he expects the Spring
Valley event planners may now reapply for
permits.
John Huie
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APRIL 13,2011 FLAGPOLE.COM 5
