The Cumming City Council approved two variance requests and a list of conditions for development of a new apartment community following a public hearing during its February meeting. Brookside Heights, a high-end, gated community, will be located on approximately 37 acres on Hwy. 20, and will be built and managed by Roberts Properties, Inc. The 210-unit development will feature a 5,000-square-foot clubhouse, fitness center, swimming pool, playground, and other amenities. In separate variance applications, the developer requested permission to eliminate previously proposed tennis courts and replace them with the playground. The second variance called for reducing the number of one-bedroom units and increasing the number of three-bedroom units. The site also includes 14 acres of green space on one side, as well as just over 2.5 acres of green space frontage. Council unanimously approved both variances and the overall development with a "site plan specific" designation, which ensures the long-term protection of the green space, even if the property is sold in the future. Council also approved several pages of other conditions that were developed by planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Board, which recommended approval of the project after a public hearing during its January meeting.

• Approved an easement along Lanier 400 Parkway for Georgia Power to install electric lines to serve the Alliance Academy for Innovation, a non-traditional high school currently under construction. 

• Held a public hearing regarding the City's Draft Comprehensive Plan. Jerry Weitz, a consultant who  is leading the comprehensive plan update process, noted the next step in the process is to send the draft to the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for approval by both entities. Council voted to table taking any action on the draft until the March meeting, giving them more time to review the document, which will ultimately serve as a planning guide for the next 20 years. 

• Voted 4-0, with Councilman Christopher Light recused due to a professional conflict, to annex and rezone the RaceTrac gas station on Hwy. 20 near Market Place Boulevard.

• Approved a request to advertise for bids for the decommissioning of a wastewater pumping station at Cruise Marketplace on Samples Road. 

• Approved the following budgeted purchases: A 2017 Chevrolet Silverado for the Street Department; printing of spring and summer brochures, and additional youth basketball jerseys for the Recreation & Parks Department; a 2017 Chevrolet Impala, and a 900 horsepower pump, for use at the Utilities Department raw water intake facility; new document management software, and 13 Tasers for the Cumming Police Department. 

• "A St. Patrick's Day Celebration" featuring Chloe Agnew (former member of Celtic Woman) and Dermot Kiernan - 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. March 4.   
• Me & 4 Others: '50s and '60s Rock Music - 8 p.m. March 10 and 8 p.m. March 11.
• "Deep River: Spirituals by the Cumming Playhouse Singers" - 8 p.m. March 18 and 3 p.m. March 19.
• "A Patriotic Salute to America and Our Armed Forces" - March 24-April 2, 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays.   

To the Cumming Fairgrounds

• Forsyth County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 31, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 1.

Click here for calendar.

• Planning & Zoning Board - 5 p.m. March 21.
• City Council - 6 p.m. March 21.

Both meetings are open to the public and held in the third-floor Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 Main Street. For all meetings after 5 p.m., please enter through the rear parking lot entrance. Click here for previous meeting videos. 

Don't forget: Daylight Savings Time begins this month. Spring forward one hour and change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on March 12!