January, 2007

A Note from Mike

Hello, Everyone:

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday season. Now that it's the new year, the other commissioners and I are beginning to work on the goals that were proposed at the annual Commission retreat in December. In the previous issue of my newsletter, I promised to share these goals with you, and you will find them below.

I am always interested in the opinions of District 3 residents. If you have any concerns you think I should know about, come by one of my "Meetings with Mike," (see the schedule below), contact me by email at mike.beaudreau@gwinnettcounty.com, or call my office at 770-822-7003. I hope to hear from you soon.

Mike

District 3 Goals for 2007

Commissioner Mike Beaudreau has eight major goals he hopes to see completed during 2007.

Goal 1: Improve our Quality of Life Task Force to continue the Fixing Broken Windows initiative

Mike proposes a dedicated 30 person department that includes ten additional members charged with enforcing the county's zoning laws, especially in deteriorating neighborhoods. The task force would report to a single division director responsible to the chief of police, and would combine the present efforts of the county's public safety and development departments in this area.

"County residents continually tell us that we are not doing enough to enforce our zoning laws," Mike said. "By creating a single department responsible for our efforts in this area, and adding a director who can act as an ombudsman for the community, we can continue the progress we have made in in fighting blight."

Goal 2: Encourage legislators to reform the current annexation process, giving counties a larger say in city annexations

Despite the fact that large counties like Gwinnett provide most of the services and transportation infrastructure for a city, a county has no say when a city tries to annex county land. Changing state law to give counties a voice in the decision will minimize disruptions to service planning and land use, while preserving the quality of life for county residents.

Mike noted that he strongly supported House Bill 962, known as the Fair Annexation Act, which died in the closing days of last year's legislative session. "Current law allows developers to subvert the county's zoning requirements by getting their property annexed by a city with less stringent zoning regulations and higher densities. As a result, the county cannot properly plan for new services, such as additional schools and increased public safety."

Goal 3: Work with state legislators to change laws on rental housing

Rental housing is governed by state law, however zoning code enforcement is left to the cities and counties. By changing state law to require a local registered agent for each piece of rental property, allowing property inspections, and clarifying the remedies the county could take in case of a violation, we can greatly reduce the problems caused by absentee landlords.

"Currently, we may be unable to locate the owner of rental property that is in violation of code, effectively preventing us from getting the problem fixed. These proposed changes would let the county go after the slumlords that have no real interest in preserving the county's quality of life.", Commissioner Beaudreau said.

Goal 4: Write and introduce improvements to the Georgia State Transfer of Development Rights Legislation for the 2007 legislative session

These changes to state law would make it easier to preserve existing low density property. A transfer of development rights (TDR) would allow a developer to purchase two unrelated pieces of property. One tract would be in an area that is currently low density, while the other would be in an area targeted for increased density. In exchange for agreeing not to develop, or minimally develop, the low density land, the developer would gain the right to construct a more dense development than would otherwise be possible in the remaining tract.

The Commissioner commented, "Improving this legislation would give the county a tool to encourage developers to set aside areas of open space. In the long run, it will support the county's current pattern of diverse land use".

Goal 5: Create a new zoning designation that requires less dense housing

Much of undeveloped Gwinnett County is zoned RA-200, a zoning designation left over from the time 40 years ago when there was considerable farming activity. A newly created Estate Lot designation would require larger, more estate-sized lots than are currently available as an option.

Mike expressed frustration with the current designations. "When someone wants to develop one of these older properties, I have no choice but to offer them R-100 zoning, which provides for the density of a typical subdivision. This new classification will provide a way for aging property owners to sell land that may have been in their family for generations, while providing for less intense land use."

Goal 6: Change the way rezoning hearings are scheduled to reduce the wait times for commercial rezonings

The county commission holds public hearings on rezoning applications once a month. The present calendar system calls for residential rezonings one month, change of conditions and variances the second month, and commercial rezonings the third month. By changing this procedure to allow any type of rezoning to come before the commission during any month, the extensive backlog of commercial rezoning applications will be reduced.

"One of the county's overall goals is to increase the tax base of high-quality commercial properties. Companies seeking to relocate to Gwinnett are often stymied by the excessively long wait time it takes to get their project approved, and may decide to locate elsewhere. This change will allow these cases to be heard in a more timely manner.", commented the commissioner.

Goal 7: Work with the Gwinnett Chamber and other agencies to promote a "One Gwinnett" initiative

As Gwinnett County becomes more diverse, we are beginning to see investments made by Koreans, Hispanics, Indians, and members of other nationalities. It's not unreasonable to expect that this investment will increase, given Gwinnett's favorable location and quality of life. The county should actively partner with the Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders to integrate these newcomers into our community. A One Gwinnett initiative would allow the county to be proactive instead of reactive in dealing with any issues brought on by increased diversity should problems arise.

Goal 8: Increase state funding for the Gwinnett County Health Department

State funding for the county's health department is based on a formula using county population from the 1970s. The county must encourage the state legislature to revise this formula to account for the explosive growth of Gwinnett and metro Atlanta in the past 35 years.

Commissioner Beaudreau said, "We must work with the Gwinnett legislative delegation to equalize the funding of county health departments based on current population. At the present time, only one other Georgia county receives fewer dollars per resident for health care than Gwinnett. This change will go a long way towards reducing the perceived lack of heath care noted by Partnership Gwinnett and other studies."

Commission Passes 2007 Budget

As one of its first acts in the new year, Commissioners approved the county's $1.68 billion dollar budget for 2007. The new budget provides salary increases for county employees, and a substantial pay raise for public safety personnel. "This is a responsible budget that address the Board's highest priorities", commented Commissioner Beaudreau. The new budget was passed without the need to raise property taxes.

Grand Openings and Groundbreakings

Residents of the Grayson area are enjoying their new library, which opened in October on Grayson Parkway. In addition, District 3 residents in the Snellville area can now take advantage of the new County Tag Office, located on Lenora Church Road, which opened in November. The facility is adjacent to the replacement Fire Station 24, which is expected to open soon. The county also opened its replacement Eastside police precinct in Dacula during the fall.

The Department of Community Services began work to convert the old Mountain Park pool site into a teen park, and started construction on Duncan Creek Park in the Hamilton Mill area. District 3 residents will also benefit from a number of new road and sidewalk construction projects that were approved during the fall, including a realignment of Centerville Rosebud and Mink Livesey Roads, new turn lanes on Grayson Parkway near the library, new turn lanes on Brushy Fork Road near Magill Elementary, and sidewalks on Oak Road and Garner Road.

Meetings with Mike Winter Schedule

If you have a have a question about or an issue with the county or its government, you are welcome to share it with Mike at one of the popular "Meetings With Mike", held once a month on Saturdays. Over 300 people have stopped by to have a private discussion with the commissioner.

In January, Meetings with Mike will be held on Saturday the 13th from 10 AM until Noon at his office on the second floor of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center on Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Mike will also meet with residents on February and March 10th.

Meetings don't require appointments, and are first-come first served.

Note: Dates for Meetings with Mike may change. Check www.MikeBeaudreau.com for late revisions.

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