Annexation of nearly 300 acres for a future subdivision and a final amendment to the motorized carts ordinance were among the topics of discussion at the Dec. 18 Richmond Hill City Council meeting.
Merely a month after council members granted a zoning classification for developer Ellis Skinner’s Colonial Marsh subdivision, Skinner’s request to have 273.57 acres on Harris Trail Road annexed was unanimously approved.
Mayor Pro-Tem Floyd Hilliard said Skinner has no immediate plans to develop the tract and that county officials aren’t opposed to the annexation. Skinner reportedly plans to put a subdivision on the property.
The list of approved streets for the motorized carts ordinance was unanimously voted in. It outlaws the use of such vehicles on the following streets: Edsel Drive, Ivy Street, Frances Meeks Way, or any street where the speed limit is above 35 mph. The ordinance also outlaws such vehicles on or within 100 feet of state routes, such as GA 25 and US 17 and county roads, such as Harris Trail Road, Timber Trail Road, Brisbon Road and Port Royal Road, unless on a properly marked cart path.
In other business:
- Fire Chief Vernon Rushing said his department has reached a new milestone by responding to over 600 calls this year thus far. He said, in comparison, there were merely 67 calls in 1997.
- Site plan approval was granted to Charlie Stafford for his forthcoming vehicle storage and restoration shop buildings on the lot behind Bryan Bank and Mulberry subdivision. Stafford shifted the site from the Mulberry side to the other side, moving it further away from the homes in the subdivision.
- Planning and Zoning Director Steve Scholar addressed the fact that individuals have been avidly posting signs in "the old Richmond Hill car lot" near Sterling Creek and on numerous telephone polls throughout the city.
He said this is against city policy, and action will be taken against offenders if it continues.
He also said he is confident that newly-hired code enforcer, and former RHPD officer, Chaley Davis will swiftly tackle this issue as "she has attacked her code enforcement duties with a vigor that I have not seen before," Scholar said.
- A 24-month extension was granted to Atlantic Coastal Equipment on Edsel Drive to continue to maintain their office out of a trailer.
- Resident Dan Waddel was granted temporary approval to park his tow truck in the driveway of his home on Sterling Creek Drive. Council allowed him to do so for 90 days while he searches for a location for his now home-based towing company.
-Approval was granted to Parker Precast on Edsel Drive to clear 2.8 acres of land for a storage facility for concrete products.