Tucker’s City Council held their last April meeting on Monday night at the City Hall Annex denying a rezoning for a residential development along Lawrenceville Highway.
The project, led by developer Ardent Companies, called for 25 townhomes and 20 single-family detached homes to be located on the south side of Lawrenceville at Bishop Drive. It failed on a 5-2 vote. Last month, Ardent Companies was granted a rezoning for a 24-single family detached home development on the north side of Lawrenceville.
Council also voted unanimously to pass a budget for Fiscal Year 2019. The $12.8 million plan spells out funding for the City’s newly acquired parks, as well as setting priorities for the new SPLOST program. As the City grows, this budget allows for the creation of six full-time staff positions, including a Field Superintendent, an additional Code Enforcement Officer and a new Community Development planner. It also funds much-talked about needs like a pilot program for security cameras in Tucker parks and upgrades to the restrooms at Tucker Recreation Center. This budget will allow the City to maintain its current cash reserve of $3.5 million through the end of next fiscal year.
The third major issue that saw action was the City’s first-ever Comprehensive Plan. Council cast a unanimous vote to approve the Plan, which guides land use and development decisions to be made in the City for decades to come.
Earlier in the meeting, Council voted unanimously to amend the City’s Alcohol Ordinance. This change will increase the number of temporary permit events allowed to non-profit civic organizations from two to four in a calendar year. They also approved an ordinance to establish motor vehicle and traffic regulations in the City. This ordinance empowers DeKalb County Police to enforce traffic laws within the Tucker City limits.
