DEMOREST, Ga. — The Demorest City Council will hold a special called meeting Tuesday evening to conduct a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the city’s 2025 budget and take final action on two zoning-related matters approved on first reading last week.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. June 9 at the Demorest Municipal Conference Center, 250 Alabama St.
The primary purpose of the meeting is to satisfy state public hearing requirements before council members vote on the proposed budget amendment.
According to the meeting notice, public hearings on the amendment were scheduled for June 2 and June 9, with the amended budget available for public inspection at City Hall. Following Tuesday’s hearing, the council is expected to vote on adoption of the amendment.
No details regarding the specific budget changes were included in the meeting agenda.
Fisk Avenue permit returns for final vote
Council members are also scheduled to consider a second reading of a special-use permit for 415 Fisk Ave., the former Sherwood Clinical building.
The proposal, approved on first reading June 2, would allow developers Alan Baker and Philip Smith to convert the vacant commercial building into eight residential luxury villas.
During last week’s public hearing, Smith told council members the project is focused on rehabilitating the existing structure, which has suffered extensive water damage and deterioration after sitting vacant for an extended period.
The council approved the permit on first reading with several conditions designed to limit future development. Those conditions restrict the project to the existing building, cap the development at eight residential units, prohibit short-term rentals and require any future expansion or additional residential construction to return to the council for approval.
Additional requirements include demolition of dilapidated accessory structures, approval of a final site plan, adequate parking, screened trash collection areas and compliance with city lighting standards. The permit also expires if certificates of occupancy are not issued within two years.
The second reading is expected to be largely procedural unless council members propose additional changes.
Pilates zoning amendment
The council will also consider a second reading of an amendment to Table 7.1 of the city’s zoning ordinance.
The proposed amendment would add Pilates studios and similar exercise facilities as a permitted use within B-1 commercial zoning districts. The ordinance received its first reading during the June 2 meeting following a public hearing.
If approved Tuesday, the amendment would become part of the city’s zoning regulations.
The special meeting agenda contains no other business items. Council members are expected to adjourn following action on the budget amendment and the two ordinance matters.
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