Flowery Branch tackles growth

Published:  03-21-2005

City Council schedules 2 days of planning sessions

The Flowery Branch City Council plans to spend 12 hours over the next two days mapping out long-range plans for the fast growing city in southern Hall County.

The meetings, set for 1 to 5 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the depot, are open to the public. There is no cost to attend.

Council members agreed to a council retreat in part due to the city's growth, which could cause a strain on services if foresight is not applied soon, said city management.

Our own estimates, based on approved developments, average occupancy and average vacancy rates, place our population at approximately 10,000 by the year 2010. With a growth rate that could easily reach 350 to 500 percent by 2010, the council knew that now was the right time to hold a retreat.

The city's agenda for the sessions lists several issues for discussion, among them: zoning for the future; how to attract more commercial development; and "what will Flowery Branch look like in 20 years."

It also includes talk of an organizational chart and duties, pursuing an aggressive annexation policy and whether the city needs to purchase more land for government facilities.

"Think of it as the local government doing exactly what the constituents expect it to do: plan ahead and run an effective and efficient government," city management said.

By MATT WEEKS, The Times

E-mail: mweeks@gainesvilletimes.com
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/stories/20050321/localnews/86901.shtml

Originally published Monday, March 21, 2005