[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6656599,"mediaKeyId","5134074-65ff571a5d6826721443b3e18dc29c7f","parentId",5134074,"title","Council actions at a glance: July 3 — land trust, water projects, public safety work and intergovernmental agreements approved","audioSeconds",597,"startMs",3385000,"endMs",3982000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134074-65ff571a5d6826721443b3e18dc29c7f&start=3385&end=3982","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134074-65ff571a5d6826721443b3e18dc29c7f/thumbnail_3385000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6656599/Canton-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Council-actions-at-a-glance-July-3-land-trust-water-projects-public-safety-work-and-intergovernmental-agreements-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656599-39ee58d186c300f80ebea1468ca7ff6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771005944&Signature=lbVD5jIovOsrG0Hi0eV6DphWRRX~hGooN1MCSW1kKdscPcEgtFzr-A6GUmn8JqklnW9JdKUdS9kQ0kEYfPgXWLWRgm0g1heJlfWRHNqukRNMSeCFgcWBZ~oIrNMy1xK7C~WBYfH~kc5JJwBMMu1WyZ8o93VgAtVgcgeTY-BPP0LZUKBTJ8u4CGXk-fDkgnQHiDRiAFrfDMEqDl--zHTjG5wL-rbzL9Fv1T82PKCzjMoObmJ0WO-88Eme741gxYufX4fQ5VF5~5rxrQFs53PE~vX2dyaLk6nmVy4xx1~QuDFHnYwx3Zypj-y6FArqXI5g-gEwN2GUDSMNLhaM~a1ShA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Canton","date","2025-07-04T01:02:09Z","article","The Canton mayor and council on July 3 approved a series of motions covering housing, public safety, water infrastructure and intergovernmental partnerships. The following is a summary of formal actions recorded during the meeting; these items were moved, seconded and voted on during the July 3 council meeting.

- Canton Community Land Trust: Council approved a motion to create a Canton Community Land Trust and directed staff to return with final articles of incorporation and subsequent appointments. Mover: Councilor (identified in transcript as the councilor who made the motion); second recorded. Vote: all members present voted in favor. Outcome: approved. Notes: Council asked that articles of incorporation be reviewed by city attorney and returned for final action; no property transfers were authorized at this meeting.

- Public Safety Building renovations: Council approved a contract award for interior renovations of the Public Safety Building to JP Painting and Carpenter (contract award presented by Chief Farrell). Funding sources reported: impact fees and SPLOST. Motion to approve renovations as presented passed with all members voting in favor. Outcome: approved.

- Ridge Pine elevated tank and booster pump station project: Council approved awarding the Ridge Pine elevated tank and booster pump station contract to Phoenix Fabricators & Erectors LLC in the amount of $13,237,000. The project schedule was described as roughly 580 days (about 20 months). The motion passed with all members voting in favor. Outcome: approved. Notes: Project funded through water and sewer funds; included decommissioning of the existing Ridge Pine tank and removal of the Kmart booster station.

- Tax Allocation District (TAD) intergovernmental agreement with Cherokee County: Council approved an intergovernmental agreement accepting Cherokee County’s participation in the city’s downtown/Etowah River Corridor TAD. The agreement uses the county base value as of December 2022 for increment calculation and allows financing using TAD proceeds for up to 15–20 years (per agreement limits described). Vote: all members present voted in favor. Outcome: approved.

- North Street master intergovernmental agreement (city, Downtown Development Authority, Cherokee County): Council approved a master IGA to support development of a new county annex, parking deck and a mixed‑use project along North Street. Approval carried with the contingency that county execution of both the IGA and the county’s TAD approval occur; motion recorded with one “nay” and the motion passed. Outcome: approved (contingent on county IGA and TAD documents).

- Emergency pump replacement for Ridge Pine Booster Station: Council approved an emergency replacement purchase of a pump for the Ridge Pine Booster Station in the amount of $65,685.71 after staff reported the installed pump was obsolete and parts were unavailable. Outcome: approved.

- Amicus brief update in support of City of Milton: Council approved updating an earlier amicus brief submission to the Georgia Supreme Court in response to the Court’s acceptance of Chang v. City of Milton; the mayor was authorized to sign the updated brief. Outcome: approved.

Other routine approvals recorded at the meeting: approval of the agenda as amended (motion passed), approval of draft minutes from June 5 (motion passed) and approval of various informational items. Several items discussed but not acted on included the West Main pedestrian bridge concepts, zoning map amendments (public hearing set for July 17), FY 2026 proposed budget presentation (public hearing set for July 17) and a proposed cell‑tower lease at Lake Canton (no action requested).

Where motions included explicit movers/seconders in the transcript, those names were retained above; several votes were recorded in the minutes as “all members voted for the motion” without a roll‑call tally of individual councilor names in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Canton GA City Council July 03 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Canton’s mayor and council approved a string of motions July 3 on housing, public safety and infrastructure, including creation of a city community land trust, a public‑safety renovation contract, award of a $13.237 million Ridge Pine elevated tank contract and agreements tied to a downtown redevelopment TAD and North Street project.","taxTitle","Canton City, Cherokee County, Georgia","taxId",52745,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656605,"City staff to correct multiple zoning map errors; council approves removal of development conditions at Joe Green Lane with restrictions",658,2188000,2846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134074-65ff571a5d6826721443b3e18dc29c7f&start=2188&end=2846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134074-65ff571a5d6826721443b3e18dc29c7f/thumbnail_2188000.jpg","/articles/6656605/Canton-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/City-staff-to-correct-multiple-zoning-map-errors-council-approves-removal-of-development-conditions-at-Joe-Green-Lane-with-restrictions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656605-f6f42885f1ff3b3080f77b33081fad76/orig.mp4?Expires=1771005944&Signature=kgvHX3EWb7ur-gMT4CRiVwOH5xl139lGvLkc-v5QMOnuN4tf3vKIus7MfLVNDabXvAWLDnfRycWKJewmJxpr8ZKVJC3HML5WM7o0AYjtmvK6rSkR1ZrytguDnxMUIXp~3tamcuYJNMDO3jGZGa26ptoH70NSs6mwCYFirtwvGvgEqFrdoXrqlDvKZdeufvdSWNVlm7IQ6JUnco6LYy9XG04lBBZLxsY42jPs0MSJcDPJ78mEzaafPxTVpndIOZ~unVwxXangzhuWy0um~pyctSsfQfqm~bS6~OTVf6FB0d5e3mAlYfJVmd6mpZGLtqddDQEk63dYrtnCiI81wQ1sYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community development staff briefed Canton’s mayor and council on July 3 about proposed corrections to the city's official zoning map and discussed one separate rezoning‑condition case on Joe Green Lane; the council approved the Joe Green Lane request with conditions and scheduled public hearings on map amendments for July 17.

Staff member Tyler Beebles reported that community development staff had identified seven parcels whose mapped zoning did not match recorded zoning or the unified development code. Cases included: a 33.23‑acre tract (Sanctuary) south of downtown that had been rezoned to Planned Development Residential (PD) in 2022 but appeared as R‑20 on the map because of a GIS programming error; two Ridge Road lots that were rezoned in 2007 but not updated on mapping; a property at 9469 Knox Bridge Highway that historic maps show as General Commercial but which was displayed as R‑20 after a 2014 UDC update; and two apartment complexes (Blue Ridge Hills Apartments and River Ridge Apartments) for which staff recommended zoning adjustments to match actual development and code equivalents (RM‑15 suggested for both).

Beebles said the properties’ owners have been notified and that a public hearing on the proposed map amendments is scheduled and advertised for the council’s July 17 meeting. He told the council that some mapping corrections have already been applied by the GIS department but require formal council approval to amend the official zoning map.

On the separate case ZCA 2504‑001, the owner sought to remove 2006 zoning conditions tied to a previously anticipated 69‑lot subdivision on a roughly 33‑acre parcel at the end of Joe Green Lane. The current owner sought to build a single‑family home and a single accessory dwelling unit for a relative. At the public hearing there were two speakers in favor, and staff reported no other neighborhood opposition.

Council discussion focused on protections against future development. Council members asked whether the city could limit development to the requested single principal dwelling plus one ADU and whether a 50‑foot buffer could be required adjacent to county property and nearby developments. Staff said such conditions were within council’s authority.

Councilor Johnson moved to approve ZCA 2504‑001 with the single‑home restriction and a 50‑foot buffer; a second was recorded and the motion passed with all members voting in favor. City staff clarified after the vote that kennel uses would not be permitted as a home occupation on the property and that normal accessory‑structure permitting applies.

Beebles and staff will return the zoning map corrections for formal hearing and adoption on July 17. The Joe Green Lane map amendment and the other six mapping corrections were described as largely technical fixes to align GIS displays with prior rezoning actions and annexations.","City community development staff outlined seven zoning‑map corrections and notified property owners; council approved a request to eliminate prior zoning conditions on a 33‑acre parcel at the end of Joe Green Lane, allowing one principal house and one accessory dwelling unit with a 50‑foot perimeter buffer.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656609,"City staff present four concepts and cost ranges for West Main pedestrian bridge to mill",221,3994000,4215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134074-65ff571a5d6826721443b3e18dc29c7f&start=3994&end=4215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134074-65ff571a5d6826721443b3e18dc29c7f/thumbnail_3994000.jpg","/articles/6656609/Canton-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/City-staff-present-four-concepts-and-cost-ranges-for-West-Main-pedestrian-bridge-to-mill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656609-d743ec7487b742cbf655052d7417fe3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771005944&Signature=Vhm8O4I2xZ2oCzt3hDeO4UiG0g94JsLL-3kzth3W4k0raMvAw5rA8Ryg3ZFqGzxoTHrJCMG2sKkgEMphCwhFiXi57ofgAggjZjGv9kijYnW1PyEyIa5LTFHYMNsFhRkfNUXzA58yjOWIm4iIRxPrzJlFqGnpzp7kLgRQ8j5n9hGQJRsL-RPb25j19JkRSk8RP309IJsiyxhAWNr~MqP98muUSA4uyO0US8hvGEySU1cXMbziIdR7MkhtAh~NBIOuUt54E1Le67mebaLtkINJ~wygF~uA1AVBk5RZCpa-82I3ILkFmYxRp~WKUD1xaQVvvUEN6b9jZ5YrvTN8iwkEcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City engineering staff presented four conceptual options and order‑of‑magnitude costs on July 3 for a pedestrian connection that would link the West Main Street extension to the mill over railroad tracks and help connect downtown to planned trails and the mill redevelopment.

Project consultant concepts returned price estimates ranging from about $1.5 million for an at‑grade railroad crossing to roughly $3.1 million for the most extensive ramping option on the south side. Staff said a ramp beginning on Railroad Street, rising along the side of the Legacy Sports building and crossing above the building into the mill parking deck was the least intrusive to adjacent properties and “the most attractive” option among the concepts, with a midrange estimate of approximately $2.37 million (including a conceptual contingency).

Miss Watson (city engineering staff) and design consultant PDP presented four concepts: (1) a south‑side ramp and approach (~$3.1M); (2) a Railroad Street ramp that passes above Legacy Sports (~$2.4M); (3) stairs with elevator access (~$2.2M); and (4) an at‑grade pedestrian crossing (~$1.5M). All cost estimates at concept level included a 30% contingency to reflect early‑stage uncertainty, Watson said, and budgets also included a notional $400,000 allowance for undergrounding utilities.

Staff highlighted several constraints and considerations: the railroad requires minimum clearance for a bridge (staff cited a 26‑foot clearance requirement), the mill site includes a required public landing within a nearby parking deck, and an at‑grade crossing would require additional ADA work and coordination on railroad crossing panels and signals. Watson said the railroad had been engaged in early conversations and that grant opportunities—particularly safety‑focused federal transportation grants—could help fund the work.

Councilors questioned long‑term maintenance and usage patterns, the number of daily train movements (staff said the railroad reported two train movements per day, but acknowledged trains can block crossings for longer intervals) and whether the deck and landing designs would preserve access for both downtown pedestrians and mill users. Watson said the recommended Railroad Street ramp concept would impose the least impact on adjacent property owners and would offer broader reuse (kiosk, hotel or other screens) if the city builds out a downtown map/directory software.

No funding vote or design approval took place at the meeting; staff said the concepts return as options for council’s further direction as engineering and grant work proceeds.","Design consultant concepts for a pedestrian bridge linking West Main Street and the mill returned with four options ranging from an at‑grade crossing (~$1.5M) to ramped elevated solutions (~$3.1M); staff noted grant prospects and railroad constraints and recommended a ramp along Railroad Street as least intrusive.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656613,"Explore Canton reports website, social and event growth as tourism push expands",1595,281000,1876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134074-65ff571a5d6826721443b3e18dc29c7f&start=281&end=1876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134074-65ff571a5d6826721443b3e18dc29c7f/thumbnail_281000.jpg","/articles/6656613/Canton-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/Explore-Canton-reports-website-social-and-event-growth-as-tourism-push-expands","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656613-3e426f02b15cbe65acebd9068f3834d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771005944&Signature=C3HLvq2C9M3Ej43Cr64F3zuLFwx~59-awKVWMbDZznzJ6VG-WIwe4ZlHJSQK11QUjKjt29qsA5Ia--Oa~lnsRA6s4-w~g6tZI9hjBTf4V~oAghpEy9Sn9gTSh2a3MZN6l~hNZtrHfVqrLjlYSG4mznfjR-SCH04mzB~j4sZ350zEoc5gzrY~Cur6AGBabIkdrYlJhcneJsQOggHqEo6eAlzh262vJhNDI6AfBmLAcjHWfOwi3qGT1O2mf6xijEHuNSYFI36lG7nfKEbpzK5zAeoW0omBLVb14hadc8LuIt-Ig1Ukec6Dj5n1uL5l2Es0hB2oACPM5z~uQjAVqlX07Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Explore Canton representatives told Canton’s mayor and council on July 3 that the city’s tourism marketing program has seen substantial year‑over‑year growth in web traffic, social reach and event attendance and outlined planned print and billboard campaigns and other promotions.

The presentation by Explore Canton staff member Jackie (last name not specified in the meeting transcript) summarized two years of website and social‑media metrics, a plan for a printed visitor guide and rack cards, three new billboards, partnerships with LakePoint Sports and other local initiatives. “Year over year… the first year we had 25,000 users. Since then, we have 86,000 users now,” Jackie said, reporting a 244% increase in users and a rise in Google impressions to about 2,500,000 from 700,000 the prior year.

Explore Canton framed the gains as the result of improved search engine recognition, expanded community event listings and more active social engagement. The presentation said the group now averages about 7,200 website users per month and described social growth from roughly 1,600 Facebook followers in year one to about 3,900, with impressions rising from about 74,000 to 615,000. Jackie told council the organization uses an event submission feature on the website and partners with local businesses and event organizers to populate its calendar.

Board chair Dana Cox described upcoming print and out‑of‑home work: a 5x7 visitor’s guide to be printed in a first run of 5,000 copies, rack cards with QR codes linking to the digital guide, and a one‑year contract for three billboards placed on major approaches to Canton. Cox said the three billboards were projected to generate “almost a million impressions a week between the 3 locations.” She also described a LakePoint Sports shipping‑container kiosk that will display Canton rack cards and host arcade games to engage visiting families.

Explore Canton presented third‑party sources and methods used to estimate visitor impacts. The presentation cited Explore Georgia and Symphony Economics (using U.S. Census, STR and Georgia Department of Revenue inputs) for county‑level visitor spending figures and Placer.ai for event attendance and hotel‑stay estimates. Using those sources, the presenters summarized Cherokee County visitor spending and hotel‑motel tax trends and said Explore Canton‑sponsored events drew an estimated 65,000 visitors this year based on Placer.ai data.

Councilors and staff praised the reports and noted city budget support for regional tourism efforts. Mayor (name not specified in the transcript) thanked the group and observed that daytime visitors spend money without placing long‑term demand on city services. Explore Canton said it will continue to build local audience engagement while expanding paid regional ads and exploring influencer and streaming ad opportunities.

Explore Canton said it will return with printed materials and further updates as projects—visitor’s guide, billboards, rack cards and a downtown kiosk—move toward implementation.","Explore Canton told Canton’s mayor and council its website, social channels and event sponsorships produced large year‑over‑year growth, credited in part to improved search visibility and new partnerships; the group outlined print and billboard campaigns and new visitor materials.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6656595,"City presents FY 2026 proposed budget with millage cut, $41.8M CIP and staff additions",745,6423000,7168000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134074-65ff571a5d6826721443b3e18dc29c7f&start=6423&end=7168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134074-65ff571a5d6826721443b3e18dc29c7f/thumbnail_6423000.jpg","/articles/6656595/Canton-City/Cherokee-County/Georgia/City-presents-FY-2026-proposed-budget-with-millage-cut-418M-CIP-and-staff-additions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656595-073cc26da6dd58d737a46425818d5d04/orig.mp4?Expires=1771005944&Signature=fYsMTvNpklJxZH6QJi-vE6mctZPpBIDEWcLEKLyM4u-Gz5ws2vUXTcyKqs8QsQMoaOxMqm7ATri5Qabffa6Lb4opnxRQYied8M-irQTABB4etmgGMyHhkoT1MgsvEQ5rziQehMnNNYA~39CDiMz30us4n31Rso3r-~1hw~YEZvYcmE1YsnOjOG1PjYE2xFJjpEcP~p0O26Du-xMKNmu86zrwXqi~342LjLhNTNIeqV9ioC-li5w-sTw~LBYURJAyPk-C33n2AAknTJWOkYINxwJ962eGysr89QRjKDCogvDx4mOG-gDK2L2I0c4YG29DW5gxUT8pGU53E1xJ35WUJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff presented the proposed FY 2026 budget to Canton’s mayor and council on July 3, describing a proposed property tax rate cut, a sizable capital program and limited staffing additions and compensation adjustments; council set a public hearing for July 17.

Finance presenter (identified in the packet as Mister Luckett) said the proposed budget is balanced, funds core services and proposes a millage reduction from 5.40 to 5.25 mills. The FY 2026 all‑funds budget is presented at about $94.7 million, with approximately $41.8 million recommended for capital investment—primarily water and sewer, SPLOST and impact‑fee projects. Luckett said the city’s digest grew about 7.5% year‑over‑year (preliminary assessor numbers), with roughly 4% from new construction; the new floating homestead exemption reduced taxable value by roughly $39 million and reduced city tax revenue by an estimated $200,000.

Key elements in the FY 2026 proposal included: a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment plus step increases tied to hire/anniversary dates; three new full‑time positions and one reduction for a net increase of two positions overall; sustained funding for public safety ambassadors approved in FY 2025; a recommended 2.5% water and sewer rate increase and a proposed $0.50 monthly increase in the stormwater fee (from $1.25 to $1.75). The budget adds support for a countywide technology cooperative for public safety software and a new special events fund funded by the unrestricted portion of hotel‑motel taxes and rental car taxes.

Major capital projects highlighted included $6 million for South Canton Park construction (year 1), $4.6 million for the River Mill pedestrian bridge, about $2 million for River Mill trail completion and transportation items including West Main‑to‑Mill pedestrian corridor design and signal projects. The budget book, staff said, will be posted on the city website and the city plans a public hearing on the proposed budget on July 17 and budget adoption on August 7 along with the millage rate.

Council members thanked staff for the presentation. No adoption occurred at the July 3 meeting; the council will hold a public hearing and subsequent adoption steps in July and August as required.","Finance staff presented the FY 2026 proposed budget on July 3, outlining a proposed millage reduction to 5.25, a $41.8 million capital improvement program and limited staffing and compensation increases; a public hearing is scheduled for July 17.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council actions at a glance: July 3 — land trust, water projects, public safety work and intergovernmental agreements approved

City staff to correct multiple zoning map errors; council approves removal of development conditions at Joe Green Lane with restrictions

City staff present four concepts and cost ranges for West Main pedestrian bridge to mill

Explore Canton reports website, social and event growth as tourism push expands

City presents FY 2026 proposed budget with millage cut, $41.8M CIP and staff additions