Once the details get hammered out, the center of Log Round Mountain Road will be abandoned by Gilmer County.
A unanimous vote to begin the abandonment process followed a public hearing about the road, followed by a regular meeting on Dec. 8. A work session was held Dec. 7.
Planning and Zoning Director Jim Smith said the middle portion of the road being discussed was originally a logging trail. He said the county had no plans to pave or maintain the road.
Abandonment of the middle portion would allow a developer who bought a tract of land which fronts the middle portion of the road on both sides to have a seamless tract.
In exchange, the county will be getting two portions of 2 acres on either side of the land graded out where they can put water tanks for emergency services. Also, the developer will build cul-de-sacs at the terminus of Log Round Mountain Road where it comes in from Highway 382 and on the other side where it ends from Leeches Road.
Commissioners voted to allow County Attorney David Clark to work out the details. The abandonment is subject to a written agreement between the county and the developer.
Building permit fees
Gilmer County commissioners voted for moderate increases to the various fees for building and related activities.
As part of the process, they resurrected enforcement of a site location permit which will now cost $50.
“I strongly recommend we get back to that,” Smith said. “It does not hurt to at least put eyes on it.”
Gilmer County Commission Chair Charlie Paris said the permit was resurrected because so many variances are being requested after construction for structures which were built inside setbacks.
What exactly will have to be inspected is still being worked out. Paris said he was against requiring a survey before the inspection.
County Attorney Clark was against having county employees measure the layout.
“It is not beneficial for county employees to be in the measurement business,” he said.
Smith said even without a survey, county employees needed to be looking at the site and the plan and making sure the construction was not taking place within the setback areas.
Other business
﹣ Post Commissioner Karleen Ferguson represented the county at her last regular meeting. She thanks the staff for their hard work and said the county was in good hands.
﹣ The organization handling indigent legal aid for Gilmer, Pickens and Fannin counties was asking for a doubling of funds in the coming year. The board asked Clark to let them know they would look at a 50 percent increase.
﹣ Commissioners were told Whitepath Road would have to be closed for work in the future while a culvert is repaired underneath the road.
﹣ The second reading of the revised Farm Winery ordinance passed. The revisions included allowing more tasting rooms and striking a prohibition of having a residence located on the winery property.