Planning and Development:
Development Studies. A market analysis of the Buford Highway corridor is complete and will allow us to assess the development potential of key real estate categories in the area. In coming weeks, planning staff will be working on initial recommendations for the Mayor and City Council to consider going through the process of updating land use policies. The Bleakly Advisory Group’s market study and project updates are available on the city’s website at http://cityofsugarhill.com/departments /planning-and-development/planning/
A similar market analysis of the Highway 20 corridor is nearly complete and we have scheduled a public meeting on Wednesday, March 29th at 6:00 p.m. at Sugar Hill City Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to gather community input toward a vision for future development along and near the Highway.
Development Permits. Six single family home permits were issued for the month of February with an average of 3,353 square feet. Seventeen multi-family home permits were issue averaging 2,053 square feet. New land disturbance permits were issued for The Gates at West Oak on West Price Road, a 14 lot residential subdivision, and RaceTrac at the intersection of Highway 20 and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.
Code Enforcement/Building Inspections. In the month of February, 365 building inspections were done and 742 have been completed year to date. This is a significant increase compared to the 385 completed to date in 2016. Zoning and property maintenance code inspection also increased, with 525 having been completed year to date as compared to 297 in the previous year.
Parks and Recreation:
City Hall/Downtown/Town Green: Lawn maintenance throughout the downtown area is in full swing this month as the warmer weather has arrived. Weekly maintenance to the property around City Hall, the Buice Center, The Suite Spot and the Community Center continue as well.
Parks. Maintenance to include treatments of winter and spring herbicides were applied to the grass athletic fields. The brick paver parking lot at the Community Garden is substantially complete with punch list items expected to be completed this month.
Golf Course. Last month was the best financial February the course has had since 2011. The course is off to a great start with the mild temperatures experienced throughout the winter. Georgia Lottery Keno was approved for sale in the bar and grill area at the clubhouse. Operation should begin the middle of this month.
Marketing, Events and Economic Development:
2017 Concert Series. The Quantum National Bank Concert series lineup has been announced. It includes Collective Soul on May 26th, Boz Scaggs on June 10th, KC and the Sunshine Band on July 15th, Josh Turner on August 12th, Ben Folds on September 2nd and Atlanta Rhythm Section on November 11th. Tickets went on sale Monday, March 13th at www.thebowlatsugarhill.com. Sugar Hill residents can use a discount code to receive $5 off per seat purchase.
Public Charette for Park. The City of Sugar Hill is hosting a public meeting to discuss the future use of 22 acres of greenspace recently purchased by the city along Highway 20 between Sugar Ridge Drive and Arbor Clos subdivision. The charrette, scheduled for March 15th at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the History Museum Room, will allow the public to provide input on how they would like to see the property utilized in the future.
Marketing. Staff has been working to secure marketing plans for the concert series. The event calendar has been mailed out to residents and will be included in the SweetLife Newsletter. Advertising will also been done at Suwanee Sports Academy, which has a social media following of over 50,000 people. Additionally, advertisements for the city will be featured in Explore Gwinnett Magazine.
Public Works and Utilities:
Street/Stormwater. Our street department staff has been gearing up for mowing season over the last weeks of February as temperatures were unseasonably warm and grasses started coming out of dormancy. In the closing weeks of the month, staff focused on getting some of the winter projects completed including demolition work at the future project site on Hillcrest downtown and on the property on Cumming Highway at 6144, recently acquired. They were also busy replacing signs in Sugar Crossing and other locations as a part of the sign maintenance and replacement program. The stormwater staff has been busy keeping up with new development inspections along with our regulatory inspections required by EPD. With the recent rains, the stormwater team has been working to keep our storm drains clear of debris.
Gas. The Gas Department is busy again with utility location and adjustments for new construction in our area as progress continues picking up in 2017. Staff is working with the RaceTrac contractor to complete the relocation work required for the gas station at the east end of Alton Tucker Road. Gas department staff completed 51 work orders, 10 new service installations and 550 locates for the month.
Construction Update:
E Center. The site is now fully involved with foundation construction continuing on the east end of the project, structural concrete wall construction on the north side, steel framing being assembled on the west end of the project and deliveries and staging in between. Staff continues working through the interior design decisions, exterior finishes, and lease up work as we get ready to push for the 2018 opening.
Sugar Hill Greenway Project, Phase I. The project is now moving into full-scale data development with the surveying getting underway this month. The first phase of this project will connect the city’s downtown with the two parks on Level Creek and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard along with some new stops on Level Creek Road and Whitehead Road in the planning stages. The nearly five-mile route is programmed for construction to begin later this year and is attracting interest and support from the friends of the greenway group. A site walk has been scheduled for April 11 at 5 o’clock to allow the Friends of the Greenway group to visit a portion of the route and get acquainted with the design considerations, challenges, and participate in the layout process.
Community Garden Parking Lot. The community garden parking lot upgrade is substantially complete with only minor cleanup and punch list items remaining. The improvement to the parking lot will help maintain participation and grow interest in the community garden.
Gateway Sign at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. The sign is in the late stages of production and we are getting very close to delivery and placement. The site work is close to wrapping up as well with the electrical wiring, cast stone cap, and pavers being the remaining items needed to conclude the project.
Highway 20 Widening. CW Matthews is wrapping up construction activity and closing out their operations with a significant portion of their focus being the striping required at intersections for gore areas and turn lanes. The construction trailers are set to be closed out this month and will give an indication that work will be tapering off soon. For safety reasons, the speed limit will remain at 35 until such time as all construction activity is concluded.
