Residents press county on transit, fireworks and lighting as commissioners approve consent agenda

Public commenters raised several practical concerns during Cherokee County’s July 7 meeting while the commission approved a multi‑item consent agenda.

Transit and county microtransit: Benjamin Offenberg told the board the county’s microtransit service (CATS) is hard to find online and lacks a user‑friendly booking site. “There’s not really a website for that either … you have to make a phone call,” Offenberg said; he said improved visibility and an online booking tool would make the service more useful and said he would submit suggestions to commissioners by email. Planning staff confirmed microtransit was part of the Bells Ferry LCI transit feasibility work and described it as a demand‑response county service rather than fixed‑route bus service.

Fireworks enforcement: Zeb Fry, a Ball Ground horseman, criticized the county’s fireworks ordinance enforcement and said departments and agencies sometimes point fingers when citizens call for help during holiday disturbances. Fry argued the ordinance needs stronger enforcement, clearer signage, and education at fireworks retailers, and questioned whether citations were being issued for clear violations.

Light pollution from RV storage: A resident who said they live on Water Tank Road described recent additions of RV storage and taller LED lights at a nearby Flex Storage site that have created glare and light pollution into their yard. Commissioners noted the county has a lighting ordinance that governs angle and brightness and suggested the Marshals Office and code enforcement may need to investigate compliance.

Consent agenda highlights: The board approved a 12‑item consent agenda that included: accountability courts subgrants from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council totaling $1,447,719 (with a county match increase of $25,362); a Violence Against Women Act grant for the District Attorney’s Office of $124,444 (with a required local match of $31,111); Atlanta Regional Commission subgrants to senior services of $1,532,612 (federal/state funds with a $99,595 county match); a $5,000 federal boost program allocation for Recreation and Parks; Marshals Office purchase authorization for two Ford F‑150 pickup trucks not to exceed $108,000 (SPLOST‑funded); and an MOU with the City of Ball Ground for a Ball Ground Highway sidewalk project with an estimated county construction share of $425,928. The board approved the consent items unanimously.

Other board business: Commissioners also approved several planning‑and‑zoning decisions (scheduling a second public hearing for case 2606011, approving a separate rezoning for a 12.5‑acre residential subdivision, and approving a revised alternate tree plan for the Redbarn tract) and agreed to a five‑year right‑of‑entry agreement with Georgia Power to provide staging areas for power restoration in major disasters.

The meeting adjourned after the business was complete.