Randy Benson

The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting addressed several requests for variance relief, including relief from Street Setback requirements for a property on Lake Acworth Drive, relief from Site Plan Approval requirements for a property on Cantrell Road, and relief from Sidewalk Requirement for a property on Spring Street Ext. All three variance requests were recommended for approval, with stipulations applied to the first and third requests. Additionally, the Commission considered and recommended for approval text amendments to Chapter 73 - Zoning Ordinance of the City of Acworth, including discussion on freight branding, redevelopment district limits, rock driveways, and short-term rental registered agents. City staff provided an update on public project progress.

Key discussions during the meeting included the financial report, noting the fund balance as of June 30, 2024, and the intended disbursement to Acworth Expanding Horizons Foundation, which is now a fully transitioned 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Program reports covered the Acworth Achievers and Expanding Horizons Programs, with a focus on recruitment for the 2025-2026 program year and collaboration on community service activities. The Board proceeded with officer elections, appointing Todd Lollis as Chairman. Authorization was granted for Todd Lollis and Lewis Preston to serve as authorized signers on the bond account. Finally, the Board considered and approved the budget request of $14,000 for the 2025-2026 Acworth Achievers Program.

The meeting commenced with a call to order, followed by no public comments. Key discussions included project updates on the Public Art Master Plan and the downtown hotel project, with details provided on the artist call, potential future art projects, GIS map creation, hotel validation process, bond closing details, the relocation of the McCray Farmhouse, and updates on new downtown businesses. Marketing updates highlighted positive social media growth, recent media buys, and rebounding website traffic. Under new business, there was a discussion encouraging board members to attend other city board meetings for increased engagement and mission alignment, and staff committed to distributing a schedule of those meetings. The financial report indicated revenues at 40% from July through October, with expenditures focused on advertising fees. An update from Cobb Travel & Tourism noted soft hotel numbers for September and October but improved figures for November.

The meeting included a review of the financial report, noting current balances for Plantings, Arbor Day, and the Acworth Community Garden. Key discussion points involved updates on the Acworth Community Garden, including total produce harvested and grant applications. Project updates covered the Cauble Park renovations, the Roberts School theatre ribbon cutting, Liberty Hill Cemetery renovations, the planned move of the McCray house to house Bizarre Coffee, and new construction developments such as the Springhill by Marriot Hotel and Tacos and Burritos. Tree planting updates included installing replacement trees at the Acworth Sports Complex and planning for a replacement tree near the Logan Farm House. The commission is also completing the Tree City USA application and soliciting ideas for the Georgia Arbor Day and National Arbor Day celebrations.

The meeting commenced with the swearing-in ceremony for elected officials, including Mayor Thomas W. Allegood, Alderman Post 4 Kimberly Haase, and Alderman Post 5 Lawrence T. Houston, for their respective four-year terms. Key actions taken under the Consent Agenda involved the unanimous approval of Ordinance No. 2026-01 to appoint and set compensation for the Chief Municipal Court Judge, Associate Municipal Court Judges, and to appoint the Mayor as Judge Pro Hac Vice. Additionally, the Board approved a request to ask the Cobb Delegation to amend the City Charter by adopting the official map of corporate limits as of January 2, 2026. New Business included the swearing-in of the appointed Acworth Municipal Judges. Board members provided departmental updates, noting paving completion in Blue Springs Subdivision, a new coffee shop opening, an upcoming ribbon cutting for renovations at the Roberts School, and the continuation of the Citizens Police Academy registration.