An update to the City of Blue Ridge’s Planning and Zoning fees was approved in a resolution during their regular meeting March 17.
Demolition permits were added with commercial costing $200 and residential $100.
Conditional use fees for residential and commercial properties were added and cost $750 and $950 respectively.
Zoning certification letters were also added for $25 each along with plat reviews for $100.
A residential variance was increased by $100 to $300; residential and commercial right-of-way abandonments and road abandonments were increased to $100 from $50.
Site plan review/building permit processing fees for commercial properties were increased to $250 from $50 and residential to $100 plus $50 per unit from just $25 per unit.
Commercial zones for less than 10 acres were increased by $200 to $950.
Erecting large signs was changed to a flat fee of $150 from $1 per square foot.
The council also approved Carter & Sloope to prepare the City Asset Management Plan, a requirement by the Environmental Pr otection Agency for renewal of their drinking water permit.
The agreement requires the city to pay at the end of the project, not to exceed $22,000.
Mayor Andy Rhodes said the project will take “about a year to complete;” though, it is “something that we’re kind of behind the ball on.”
A motion by Councilman Bubba Gibbs to have Scott Mathis contracted to review the city’s technology failed, and an alternate motion by Councilman Jack Taylor passed.
Taylor’s motion was to have Ellijay Telephone Company (ETC), who is currently contracted for such services, to complete a review to address holes in the city’s information technology.
If the city deems it necessary to bring in a “second opinion” following ETC’s review, they agree to contract Mathis.
During public comment, Liz Nicholas spoke concerning an increase in the homeless population and trash within the city.
Nicholas said that in speaking with some of the homeless, they have all been brought here from outside the area, saying it’s “easier to be homeless in Blue Ridge.”