Ellijay City Councilmembers tabled a resolution to adopt Shrine Club Drive into the city street system when meeting Monday, June 15.
Last October, councilmembers approved giving the city’s legal counsel the authority to prepare dedication deeds to obtain rights of way from property owners along the private road so it can be taken in by the city.
The street leads to the Coosawattee Shrine Club, which is used as a county polling place for the Ellijay North precinct. Following the October 2019 council meeting, Elections Superintendent Scott Chastain noted the rough condition of the street with numerous potholes.
“It’s currently owned by landowners. The landowners would deed right of way to the City of Ellijay to make it a city street,” said Chastain then.
Mayor Al Hoyle said not all landowners have signed, which is why the item was tabled until the August council meeting.
“In August is when one of the property owners said they would be able to sign,” he added.
Paving the street is expected to be done after it is taken in by the city. The resolution states: Should the City of Ellijay be unable to secure funds to improve the street located on said real property, that said property shall be returned to the owners.
“We’re hopeful we can get it paved after we take it in. That’s been the plan for a long time. We’re going to try to get help from the state to do the paving and the state is not going to pave it if it’s in private ownership,” Hoyle said.
In other news ...
﹣ Councilmembers approved the final version of a conceptual master plan that outlines possible future improvements to the Harrison Park site. Mike Lancaster, of Friends of Harrison Park, said construction of restrooms and rehabilitation of the site’s historic Pinson Barn are the two top priorities.
﹣ Reece Sanford was appointed to serve on the city’s Downtown Development Authority.
﹣ A setback variance request for 307 Skyline Drive was approved.