Commissioners Discuss Historic Overlay District

CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County Commissioners devoted much of Monday’s work session to a discussion about the creation of an Historic Overlay District, a complex issue they acknowledged would require months of planning and a considerable amount of public involvement.

Tom O’Bryant, Director of Community and Economic Development, said his department had conducted a study and identified about 150 areas for a potential historic overlay.

“White County already has the largest historic area in the eastern United States in the Sautee Nacoochee Valley,” O’Bryant said. “We also have a large campground that is historically significant.”

The study also identified some 25 cemeteries associated with local churches and approximately 65 family cemeteries, some of which date back to the early 1800s.

Commissioner Edwin Nix said in planning a historic overlay district it is important to protect private property rights. For example, if a 150-year-old barn on private property is placed into a historic district, he wants to ensure the property owner’s rights are protected.

The Board also held a public hearing on an application submitted by Kenneth R. Grimes to redistrict 1.39 acres of property located on FM Road from R-3 (Residential Seasonal District) to R-1 (Single Family Residential). No one spoke in opposition.

Commissioners agreed to allow the Sheriff’s Office to surplus 11 vehicles that are no longer serviceable. That issue will be added to the consent agenda and voted on at the March meeting.
County Manager Michael Melton told commissioners bids received on the Carolina Springs Road project were way over budget and commissioners decided it would be best to re-bid the project.

Commissioners decided there was no desire to have a portion of Bean Creek Road paved and withdrew the issue from consideration but wanted to begin prep work on Stanley Nix Road this summer. Nelson Grading was the low bidder on that project at $95,899 but the county will also have to pay an additional $134,261 to move 12 power poles and 10 telephone lines. That issue will be voted on at the next regular meeting.