Politics & Government

Woodstock City Council To Revisit Ward Redistricting

The City Council first reviewed the measure late last month.

The Woodstock City Council will once again review altering the boundaries of the city's six wards during its meeting on Monday.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Chambers at City Center. Reapportioning the city's wards occurs every 10 years after the U.S. Census is taken. Based on the city's 2010 population of 23,896, each ward ideally would have 3,982 residents, or 16 percent of the total population.

The city has to stay within the mandated 5 percent range, which means each ward could have between 3,783 to 4,181 citizens. The city experienced significant growth on its east side, so the wards will have to be changed to accommodate the changes. 

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The council will also consider requesting the Georgia Department of Transportation transfer funds from its proposed transportation enhancement (TE) grant slated to fund the North Main Streetscapes project to an extension of the current streetscape to the southern end between Oak St and Fowler Street.

The city discovered the intersection of Main Street and Rope Mill Road near the railroad tracks presented issues that are not part of the scope of the TE grant. The transfer would increase parking along the railroad tracks across from Century House Tavern and extend and improve the sidewalk along both sides of Main Street.

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It would also add crosswalks from the east to west sides of Main, allowing pedestrians to safely cross from the new Walton Communities project to the shops and restaurants on the east side of the railroad tracks.

That would reduce parking demand and, if the city deems it appropriate, add a traffic signal to the intersection of Main and Fowler Streets, which already has significant congestion that's slated to increase once Walton Communities build its apartment complex. 

County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens will present a presentation on the upcoming Homestead Option Sales Tax referendum voters will consider on Nov. 6. The one percent sales tax would be used to reduce the county's maintenance and operations portion of property taxes.

Other items on the agenda include:

  • Mayor Donnie Henriques will read a proclamation for Cherokee Christian Athletes Day and a proclamation dedicating October as Fire Prevention Month;
  • consider approval for revisions to the city's fee schedule for the administration and water and sewer departments;
  • consider approval of revisions to the fee schedule for the building department;
  • consider approval to purchase a new rescue vehicle for the Fire Department;
  • consider approval to revise the contract with Waste Management regarding billing; and 
  • consider approval of a sublease agreement with Community Southern Bank for parking in downtown.


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