New Residential Neighborhood Coming to Loganville

The Loganville City Council held a joint work session and regular meeting Thursday (Nov. 14) where numerous items were passed and discussed and many people were recognized. 

Here's a recap of the session and meeting: 

-The city council voted unanimously to approve a variance to a construction company wanting to build a 50-lot residential subdivision in an area off Lee Byrd Road that has been undeveloped since at least 2008. HardiePlank, which is a concrete fiber board that the builders want to construct with, is not listed under the city's ordinance as an acceptable material for building homes, so the city granted the company relief from that section of the ordinance. The construction company said it intends to start building Birchwood Place subdivision immediately. The homes, which will have a craftsman look, will start in the mid-$200,000s. 

-The council also approved to ease its water leak policy in order to be more customer friendly. Residents were being charged with the retail rate for leaks, so the council agreed to update its policy to charge the wholesale rate instead. 

-The council gave the go-ahead for City Manager Bill Jones to find and purchase a bucket truck. According to Councilman Mike Jones, the city's current bucket truck needs to be traded in because it's in disrepair. Some funds already have been put aside for the truck, but the council agreed to spend no more than $45,000. 

-Phase two of the 2014 Community Development Block Grant was passed, which will give the city of Loganville $425,417 for street improvements in the Fox Chase subdivision.

-The 2014 LMIG Allotment was approved. Mike Jones said the state funds will pay for paving streets in and around town. 

-Loganville Police Chief Mike McHugh and the rest of the police department presented Janice Tribble of the Walton County Special Olympics with a check for $4,200. The funds were raised from the Donut Dash 5K and fun run from Nov. 2. 

-The city's three school resource officers, Lt. Joseph Cantrell, Sgt. Dustin Peterson and Ofc. Bob Gilbert, also were recognized for their work at Loganville schools, particularly through the DARE program. 

-The council approved to allow PVC pipes to be built in less stress areas for water and sewer purposes. 

-The Civil Air Patrol was recognized for their assistance every year during the Autumn Heritage Festival.

-Councilmembers agreed to sell its mobile stage to the city of Grayson. 

-The American Legion Riders of Post 233 in Loganville gave special thanks to the city of Loganville for hosting a Veterans Day celebration. 

-The Stormwater Maintenance policy was passed. There were no changes to the policy, but the state needed the policy to be resubmitted. 

-Husband and wife Ron and Kim Smith were recognized for their volunteer work with Trick or Treat on Main Street on Halloween weekend. 

-Chairwoman Ann Jones of the O'Kelly Memorial Library nominated Nancy Curry, Mayor Dan Curry's wife, to fill a seat on the board. The council voted unanimously for her to join as a board member.