Commissioners oppose bills aimed at state control of land use issues

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Two resolutions unanimously approved by the Board of Commissioners during Tuesday’s work session are on their way to the Forsyth County state delegation.

The first expresses strong opposition to HB1093 and SB 494 similar bills that would prohibit local government from imposing restrictions on land use issues that apply to long-term rental agreements.

County Attorney Ken Jarrard said the non-binding resolution would state “these sort of laws at the state level go to the heart of our local land use issues and should remain a local issue. City and County governments are uniquely situated to know the needs of their constituents.”

Build-to-Rent communities are developments where there are no owners of individual lots. The residents are all tenants. Those communities are becoming increasingly popular across the country.

“If these bills are adopted, or some similar variation it would stop the county’s ability to make any regulations that affect those sorts of subdivisions,” Jarrard said.

“There are 159 counties across the state of Georgia that all have unique characteristics,” Commission Chairman Alfred John said. “Those counties should be allowed to decide for themselves what is best for their citizens and residents.”

Commissioner Todd Levent added, “The state doesn’t like it when the federal government tells them what to do and local government doesn’t like the state telling us what to do. We know our community better than anybody else.”

The second resolution will request the state delegation to increase the hotel/motel tax from 5 percent to 8 percent. John said surprisingly many of the hotel managers he spoke to support the increase.