September, 2006

A Note from Mike

Hello, Everyone:

It's hard to believe that the first two years of my term serving you as District 3 commissioner are almost over. Before I was elected, I defined several goals I would try to accomplish during my term. Looking back at what's been done so far, I see that we've made progress on many of these goals, but that there are still some challenges ahead.

Below, you'll see a recap of these goals, and some of the things that we've accomplished towards achieving them. Over the next few months, county departments will be setting their goals for the next year, culminating in the annual Commission Retreat in November, where I and the other commissioners will set goals for 2007. I'll share those with you in the next issue of my newsletter.

I enjoyed meeting many of you at some of the county grand openings and events we held over the summer, and I hope to meet more of you at the County Fair, one of the high school football games this season, or at the grand opening of the Grayson Library later this fall. 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 Issues: A Report Card

As he campaigned for county commissioner, Mike spelled out four key issues that he felt were important to District 3 residents that he would address if he were elected. Almost two years into his term, he's made progress achieving those goals.

Goal 1: Foster a More Open and Accessible County Government

• Mike has met with over 300 District 3 residents at Saturday Meetings with Mike, held each month at his office in the Justice and Administration Center
• County Commission meetings are now broadcast live on Gwinnett TV, and are streamed over the Internet.
• Mike brought in county Transportation department officials and outside consultants for a special meeting with homeowners affected by the Sugarloaf Parkway extension so they could get their questions answered prior to the county's approval of the project.
• A new section of the county's website offers information for homeowner's associations.
• Mike has attended over 100 community meetings and festivals to gather constituents input and feedback.

Goal 2: Promote Community Friendly Growth

• Mike sponsored changes in the county's zoning regulations that prohibit vinyl siding for certain types of cluster housing, and require higher quality building materials for exteriors.
• New conservation subdivisions must now go through a planning department review and public hearing before they can be built, thanks to Mike's zoning changes. Prior to this change they could be built without going through zoning or a public hearing.
• Mike has denied many rezoning applications in District 3 that do not conform to the county's land use plan. For example, the Lake Lucerne-Five Forks Trickum Road Gas Station, zonings off Oleander Road, West Park Place, and Grayson-New Hope Road have all been turned down.
• Mike supported the state's Fair Annexation Act, which would have limited the ability of cities to annex property that could be developed for less desirable land uses than what the county had planned. Although the act didn't pass, he will support it again in 2007.
• Mike has voted to approve overlay districts in new commercial areas in District 3, requiring higher quality buildings and improved amenities. He as worked with the Highway 78 Community Improvement District to improve the quality of life in the Lake Lucerne and Snellville areas.

Goal 3: Reduce the County's Tax Rate

• For two consecutive years, the millage rate has been reduced for the county portion of property taxes.
• Mike sponsored changes to development regulations requiring 100 year minimum standards and higher quality materials for storm drains, thereby saving the county money in maintenance and replacement down the road.
• Mike has voted to spend county funds on projects that will improve the quality of life for county residents, including new and improved parks, libraries, and roads, while questioning spending on projects of little or no benefit to most county residents.
• The county established an economic development department charged with bringing in high quality jobs and growing the business tax base, thereby reducing the tax burden on homeowners. This effort has already landed a new data canter in Gwinnett for Hewlett-Packard.

Goal 4: Make Gwinnett a Safer Place to Live

• Mike voted in favor of pay increases and hiring incentives for Gwinnett's public safety personnel.
• Mike supported the county's Operation Fixing Broken Windows, and voted in favor of ordinance changes that support the project's efforts.
• Mike is supporting changes in the property ordinance that would require absentee owners to register, making it easier to enforce zoning and occupancy violations.
• During Mike's term, the county has broken ground on the new Police Training Facility in Lawrenceville, the Eastside Police Precinct in Dacula, and new or replacement fire stations in Dacula, Grayson, and Snellville. These facilities are expected to open in 2006 and 2007.

Goal 5: Reduce the Number of Trailers in Our Schools

• Mike has imposed conditions on several large-scale development projects, limiting the number of new homes each year until the school system can provide adequate classrooms to support the new residents.
• Mike has denied many rezonings in school clusters that are overcrowded.

You can read a more complete list of the goals and results on Mike's website.

Highway 20 Widening Underway

Orange cones have arrived on Highway 20 in the Grayson area, marking the start of construction of two additional lanes between Plantation Boulevard and Ozora Road. Groundbreaking ceremonies for ther project were held in late July.

Commissioner Beaudreau commented, "Most people don't know the amount of red tape a project like this has to go through before construction can begin. Even though the widening of Grayson Highway was planned before I took office, I've still had to spend time working with county and state DOT officials clearing up obstacles to getting construction started."

This phase of the project is the first of three that will ultimately make Highway 20 at least four lanes throughout the county. Construction is expected to be complete in August, 2008.

County and Chamber of Commerce Start Projects to Plan For Gwinnett in 2030

The Gwinnett County Planning Department has begun working on an project to plan for the county's needs in the year 2030. The 2030 Unified Plan includes a new Comprehensive Plan covering land use and development, a new Consolidated Plan, which includes community development and housing plans, and a new Comprehensive Transportation Plan, which details needs for the county's transportation network. The final plan will be presented to the Commissioners for a vote in early 2008.

While much of the work needed to develop these plans is being done by county staff and consultants, county residents have their say through a planning advisory committee of 23 people that meets monthly to review options and make recommendations. Commissioner Beaudreau appointed two members of the committee, one from Hamilton Mill and the other from Snellville, to serve on the committee. In addition, District 3 residents represent other community groups and interests, including the Highway 78 CID, the Transit Advisory Board, the Planning Commission, and the Gwinnett Municipal Association.

"The 2030 Unified Plan will be used by the County Commission for the next ten years as the basis for decisions on growth, zoning, and development", said Commissioner Beaudreau. "It is a very important document that guide's the county's future, and I'm proud to see so many people from District 3 will have a voice in shaping it."

Separately, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce has begun a study to determine a plan for economic growth and development within the county. Called Partnership Gwinnett, the study is expected to yield both an overview of where the county is now, an an action plan for community and economic development.

You can learn more about these programs at the 2030 Unified Plan website and the Partnership Gwinnett Website.

Groundbreakings and Grand Openings

Over the summer, District 3 had several groundbreakings for new facilities, and grand openings of more recreational facilities. On a hot early July day, residents in South Gwinnett came out in force to enjoy the cool waters of the county's newest aquatic center at Lenora Park. On the same day, horseback riders and trail bikers gathered to celebrate the opening of new trails at Yellow River Park. In August, area residents celebrated the start of football season, with the opening of the new field at Bethesda Park, home of the Brookwood Football Association.

County officials also held groundbreaking ceremonies for two new fire stations in District 3. The new fire station 27 on Old Fountain Road will serve the growing Dacula area, while the replacement Fire Station 8 in Grayson will be located behind the existing station. The move of the Grayson fire station was prompted by the widening of Highway 20.

The commission also approved several road improvements in District 3, including new turn lanes at Parkview High School, sidewalks connecting Shiloh High School and the Centerville Community Center, and reworking the intersection of Centerville-Rosebud Road and Lenora Church Road. These projects should be completed over the winter.

Later on this fall, look for the grand openings of the new fire station and tag office in Snellville, and the new Grayson library branch.

Meetings with Mike Fall 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 October, Meetings with Mike will be held on Saturday the 14th 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 November 11th and December 9th.

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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