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Mayor and Council have put a sixth-month moratorium on allowing new CBD stores from opening in the city.

City officials say some CBD stores may actually be selling products that are illegal and include elevated levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, the major psychoactive component of cannabis.

“Some of these stores have actually expanded to sell a whole lot more products and there’s not a way to regulate the products they’re selling,” Mayor Barbara Bender said. “And some of (the products) are above the legal limits and they are selling things that are illegal. It’s become quite a quagmire.”

While the moratorium is in place, the Planning and Zoning Department will conduct a study to investigate the current status and propose necessary changes to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance.

“What we want to do right now is put a stop to any new applications coming in for these types of stores, selling these types of products, so that we can put it into our development regulations to require a special use permit which requires them to come before Mayor and Council. At this point we feel like this is the step we can take to try and at least not allow more to open in the city.”

The resolution containing the moratorium approved by Mayor and Council notes, cannabis-based products are largely unregulated under the law the health impacts of CBD and cannabis-based products are largely unknown.

Bender said state Rep. Shelly Hutchinson told her she will bring the issue before the state legislature.

The moratorium went in effect immediately and runs through July 23, 2023.

Changes to the Unified Development Ordinance were approved that will tighten up regulations on “Build to Rent” developments following action by Mayor and Council last week.

They approved text amendments to the UDO to establish definitions and regulations for certain zoning classes for “Build to Rent” developments – single-family housing developments that have become popular in recent years but have drawn criticism from those who say they do not add to a municipality’s quality of life.

A build-to-rent home is one that has been built for the purpose of long-term rental. Unlike standard apartments and similar, multi-family structures, build-to-rent homes are specifically intended to be an option for individuals searching for a long-term rental residence - several years or more versus short-term leases.

Often these communities are marketed toward individuals and families who can't qualify for a mortgage loan due to poor credit, lack the funds for a proper down payment, or are facing financial hardships.

The changes to the UDO require builders of Build to Rent developments to take part a pre-submittal application review meeting with city officials; increase the length and width of driveways in such developments; increase street and cul-de-sac dimensions; and adds Build to Rent designations to existing residential development codes. The change also calls for the establishment of a property owners’ association in Build to Rent developments which will be in charge of maintenance of the homes and grounds and can be contacted by the city should code enforcement issues arise.

“I would like to say thank you to (Councilman) Tod Warner who has been a champion of these text amendments to our code,” said Mayor Barbara Bender. "These subdivisions, I think are, in my personal opinion, the scourge of the nation. These developments, to me, are very dangerous for our future. They’re a threat to homeownership and I think it‘s going to trap a lot of people in rental situations that they find that they cannot get themselves out of.”

Bender continued, “We don’t have a mechanism that we are aware of that we can totally eliminate or refuse these types of developments so we have chosen to pick out those areas that we typically have with rental properties in residential neighborhoods and try to make some changes to development codes that would help alleviate these types of problems should we have to approve some type of development like this in the city.”

For the eighth time in nine years, City Controller Jan Burke was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

Burke was given the award once again for her comprehensive annual financial report.

“It is imperative the city’s finances are compiled and reported accurately,” Burke said. “As a resident of Snellville, I would want to know the city’s finances are being compiled accurately and being treated with the upmost care and respect. I am honored once again to receive this award.”

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management, according to GFOA documents.

GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research for more than 20,500 members and the communities they serve.

The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel of GFOA officials to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

Street sweeping will commence Jan. 16 in Sector 1 in Snellville.
Crews will be sweeping during the day.

Sector 1 streets include:
Amber Woods Drive
Bennett Ridge
Bent Trail
Berkshire Court
Brookstone Drive
Carolina Wind Court
Chancellor Court
Chaparral Court
Chaparral Drive
Clower Street
Collinswood Drive
Deerfield Run
Dogwood Road
Dogwood Circle
Driftwood Place
Eastgate Drive
Eastgate Place
Eastwood Drive
Englewood Way
Epping Forest Ct
Fabersham Drive
Highriggs Lane
Hills Way
Hugh Drive
Junes Court
Kimberly Way
Lashley Court
Long Street
Meadow Crest Terrace
Meadow Drive
Meadow Hurst Lane
Nt. Zion Church Rd.
Myra Lane
Old Grayson Rd
Pine Road
Pinehurst Lane
Radbury Lane
Ramblewood Way
Ridgewood Way
Roxboro Drive
Shannahan Place
Statewood Court
Thomason Drive
Timber Lane
Town Place
Tuffstown Court
Valley Creek Circle
Valley View Road
Village Court
Vine Street
Wickliffe Court
Wickliffe Place
Windburn Court (Short)
Windburn Court (Long)
Winding Creek Circle
Windsor Court
Windsor Drive
Windsor Lane

The city will notify residents when sweeping in Sector 2 begins.

****“The spring 2023 Snellville Citizen’s Police Academy class has unfortunately been canceled. We will have details on how to apply for the fall Citizen’s Police Academy class in the following months. If you have already submitted an application for the spring session, your application will be held on file and you will automatically be registered for the fall session. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to seeing you in the fall.

The City of Snellville Police Department is offering the 34th session of the Snellville Citizens Police Academy for the spring of 2023.

The popular class is designed to strengthen the bond of friendship and cooperation between citizens and the police department.

The nine-week class begins on March 16 and ends May 11.

The class will help citizens gain a better understanding of the risks and responsibilities of the city's police officers. Some of the classes included in this training will be Domestic Violence, Traffic Stops, Building Searches, Driving Under the Influence and Firearms Safety. This program, which takes place at the police station at 2315 Wisteria Drive, also includes a ride along program with a Snellville police officer.

Applications must be returned no later than 5 p.m. March 3.

Space is limited and your application must be filled out completely and must be notarized.

Applicants will be notified via e-mail or phone call, as to the status of their application.

If you have any questions or concerns contact Sgt. Scott Smith at ssmith@snellville.gov.

To apply, click on the following link.

https://www.snellville.org/sites/default/files/uploads/police/scpa-application-revised.pdf

Mayor Barbara Bender and Lisa Platt, director of Parks and Recreation, presented Earnestine Jones of Snellville with the 2022 Active Adult Center Volunteer of the Year Award, Monday.

“It’s because of volunteers like Ms. Jones that the city is able to provide such great events for our citizens,” said Mayor Barbara Bender.

Jones is involved at the center and volunteers regularly in many different areas.  She currently serves on the Advisory Committee representing the Travel Club.  After recently retiring from her full-time job she has helped tremendously with many of their events and activities.  In February, she coordinated the Black History Program which has become a huge success.  In addition, Jones has willingly stepped up to organize the Red Hat Society group, also known as The Royal Red Hatters of Snellville, by offering to serve as their queen. She has put in a multitude of hours organizing socials and programs for this fun group of ladies. 

The City of Snellville commended and acknowledged Jones for her extra-ordinary service to the Parks and Recreation Department by devoting her time and efforts to serving their citizens. 

“Snellville Parks and Recreation takes pride in serving all of our citizens and visitors, but our staff at the Senior Center love providing programs for our active adults to stimulate their mind, body and spirit,” Platt said. “SPRD staff are always looking for new programs and ideas, along with the steady favorites, to enhance the experience our members have at the center. Without dedicated volunteers like Earnestine, our staff would never be able to get it all done. Earnestine never questions a task we ask of her, she simply says ok and helps us in any way she can. She is an invaluable asset to our staff and to all our members.  We’re privileged to have her assist us as we serve our community, and we are forever grateful to her.”   

The Snellville Police Department has a long-standing tradition of partnering with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and participation in the Georgia Governor’s Challenge. The Governor’s Challenge Awards is the state’s premier law enforcement awards ceremony for recognizing state, local, campus, and military law enforcement units for the outstanding work they do in promoting highway safety through education and enforcement. On Dec. 9, the Snellville Police Department was recognized for excellence at the Georgia Governor’s Challenge Awards banquet and received the following awards:

1st Place in Category 4: Awarded to the agency with the highest cumulative score for their submission for agencies with 46-75 officers.

Regional Challenge Winner: Awarded to the agency with the highest cumulative score for agencies their size in the Southeast region.

Distracted Driving Award: Awarded to the agency in the state who made the most effort to reduce the hazards caused by distracted driving through enforcement and education.

”We are proud of our officer’s efforts in education and enforcement to keep our citizens and the motoring public safe on the streets of Snellville,” said SPD Chief Greg Perry. “We will continue to do everything possible to reduce the number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on our roadways in the future.”

There will be three new construction projects in Snellville following action taken by Mayor and Council Monday.

An 11-lot single family housing development will be built on 2.765 acres at 2706 Lenora Church Road near T.W. Briscoe Park.

The development will include a total of 11 lots and abundant open space, according to developers. Homes will be two-stories with a modern farmhouse-style architecture, including a variety of concrete exterior materials. Homes will range between 2,400 and 2,800 square feet, all of which will include a minimum two-car garage.

The price of the homes will start in the mid-$500s. As proposed, the development will include sidewalks throughout the site, which provide safe and efficient access to Lenora Church Road and the park.

Mayor and Council also gave the go ahead for an indoor self-storage facility next to Hampton Inn & Suites on Pharrs Road near Highway 124.

Plans call for a three‐story, 100,149-square-foot climate controlled self‐storage facility on the 1.82-acre site located in the Park Place development which also houses Cracker Barrel and Freddy’s among other businesses.

T.W. Briscoe Park will get a much-needed new maintenance building as the current one housing parks equipment is in poor condition.

During the summer, the Mayor and Council approved a proposal from Champion Buildings, Inc. for the new maintenance building. The proposal also included delivering and erecting the building totaled $254,500.

Then city officials bid the site grading, interior finishes, and asphalt and concrete work separately.

The project will take place in three phases after a $1.569 million contract was awarded to Diversified Construction of Georgia. Funding for Phase One and Two of the project will come from 2017 Special Local Option Sales Tax funds.

Phase One – The civil and infrastructure work will be performed, including all underground utilities, paving and grading, building concrete pad, and all required plumbing stub outs.

Phase Two – The pre-engineered metal building will be erected by the manufacturer (already approved).

Phase Three – The interior build-out will be performed, including all interior partitions.

The City of Snellville is mourning the loss of longtime councilman Samuel Wayne Odum who passed away Thursday.
He was 92.
Odum was the longest serving councilmember in the city’s history, serving several terms spanning the course of 33 years from 1963 to 1999. The city’s former senior center was named after him, city officials said. He was instrumental in creating T.W. Briscoe Park and a sewer system in the city.
Former Mayor Emmett Clower praised Odum for his service to the city and considered him a great friend.
“Wayne Odum was a man of his word,” Clower said. “He loved Snellville.”
The City of Snellville flag at City Hall has been lowered in his honor.
Funeral services will be at Tom Wages Funeral Home in Snellville.

Several streets in Snellville will get new road surfaces and improved stormwater infrastructure thanks to action taken by Mayor and Council in recent months.

A total of 10 stormwater drainage projects will commence Dec. 1 to improve the handling of stormwater and reduce the city’s overall inventory of poor infrastructure. 

Weather permitting, the $1.39 million project will be completed by The Dickerson Group, Inc. by June 2023.

The projects will take place at: 2025 Highriggs Lane; 1830-1840 Meadowchase Court; 3060-3065 Oak Meadow Drive;  2747 Oak Meadow Lane; 3155 Pond Ridge Trail; 2221 Westridge Drive; 2281 Westridge Drive; 2963 Williams Place; 2975 FlintRock Way; and 2849 Mountain View Road.

Earlier this month, the annual resurfacing and paving project bid was awarded to Pittman Construction Company in the amount of $1.4 million.

The funds for the patching, milling and resurfacing will be taken from our LMIG allotment and city’s budgeted capital paving expense. The road improvements will begin after the new year and be completed, weather permitting, by June 2023.

The roadwork will take place in two subdivisions.

In Old Hickory subdivision, the following streets will be resurfaced: Benchmark Dive; Gazebo Lane; Hickory Station Circle; Hickory Station Drive; Picket Fence Lane; and Wicker Wood Way.

In Woodberry subdivision, the following streets will be resurfaced: Woodberry Run Drive; Glenwood Lane; Glenwood Way; and South Crestview Drive.