City of Dawsonville

The agenda for the meeting included calling the meeting to order, roll call, invocation and pledge, approval of the agenda, and consideration for approval of the minutes from the February 23, 2026, meeting. Key discussion items involved a potential executive session, action on ethics complaints filed against Councilmembers Caleb Phillips, William Illg, and Sandra Sawyer, with options including complaint dismissal or scheduling hearings, and the possibility of engaging an attorney to assist the Board.

The regular meeting included the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the August 25, 2025 meeting. A public hearing was held regarding Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) request COA-C2500117 for 10 Ted Chester St, which proposed material changes including a paved drive-through, an illuminated menu board, outdoor freezers, a covered patio, a wall sign, and a wooden privacy fence. Staff recommended approval with conditions. The main discussion in the summary section focused on a subsequent item regarding the development of a 21.63-acre parcel, which necessitated a COA for excavation and earthwork on the portion within the historical district to create four single-family residential lots. Staff determined this portion of the site is a non-contributing resource to the Historic District and recommended approval of the COA for the earthwork only, pending compliance with other regulations.

The City Council meeting included consideration of the consent agenda, which covered approval of minutes from previous meetings, approval of a permit fee waiver request for the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame event benefiting the Dawson County Humane Society, approval of the 2026 Farmer's Market Use Agreement with the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce, and approval of a proposal from Geosciences Engineering, Inc. for construction materials testing services for the Water Pollution Control Plant Facility. Business included the first reading of an Ordinance to Amend The Civil Emergencies Ordinance. The Council also considered an agreement with Jeff Miller Productions for 2026 Concert Events. Discussions during the retreat spanned extensive updates to zoning ordinances, including floodplain construction, wetlands, tree ordinance best practices, and detailed reviews of numerous zoning chapters concerning residential, commercial, and industrial districts, with many existing categories slated for retirement.

The agenda for the City Council meeting included the first reading of Ordinance No. 01-2026, concerning an amendment to the Civil Emergencies Ordinance to adjust the duration of emergency powers. Additionally, the Council was set to consider Resolution No. R2026-01 supporting the USDOT BUILD Grant Application for the Multimodal Downtown Connections Project. Staff reports were scheduled from the City Manager and Finance Director, including updates on leak adjustments, storm recovery efforts, the new Wastewater Treatment Plant construction progress, and a review of fund balances through January 31, 2026, across General Fund, Water/Sewer/Garbage Fund, and various SPLOST funds. The meeting also included an Employee Recognition segment.

The City of Dawsonville's Comprehensive Plan Update outlines the strategic direction for the next five years, emphasizing "smart growth" to preserve its small-town character and enhance community quality. The plan focuses on key areas such as downtown development, cultural activities, fostering a walkable environment, and making pragmatic land-use decisions. It identifies critical issues like uncontrolled growth and traffic, while leveraging opportunities in infrastructure, local businesses, and heritage tourism to support economic development and maintain Quality Local Government (QLG) status.