Community Development News
County Submits LWCF Grant for Moore’s Bridge Park
June 29, 2010
Update June 29, 2010 - The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has pre-approved Moore’s Bridge Park for funding. Submittal of the final application is forthcoming.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Carroll County Department of Community Development staff recently submitted a pre-application for the 2010 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant cycle for the development and rehabilitation of Moore’s Bridge Park. This federal grant program helps state and local governments acquire recreation lands, and develop and rehabilitate outdoor recreation facilities. Carroll County is applying for a grant maximum of $100,000. The source of the Carroll County cash match ($50,000) will be proceeds from the 2003 and 2008 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The source of in-kind match will be County labor and equipment. If recommended for funding, the County will proceed with the formal application process.
In 2009, Carroll County purchased approximately 485 acres (Moore’s Bridge Park) from the Trust for Public Land for use as a passive recreation park. This park is located near Whitesburg, Georgia in Southeast Carroll County and buffers 1.4 miles of the Chattahoochee River. The park is layered with history, including Civil War, Native American, African American, and transportation history. This site once served as the gateway to Southern Carroll County. Priority will be placed on conserving and interpreting the property’s rich history and notable features.
A key feature of Moore’s Bridge Park is the Historic James Moore House. James D. Moore was originally the land owner of this property, and his house is the most historically significant feature still standing on the site. The James Moore house is centrally located within the park just above the former Horace King Covered Bridge site, and provides opportunities for many types of functions including educational and historical events.
Another magnificent component of the park is the Horace King Covered Bridge site. The first Moore’s Bridge was built in 1857 by Horace King, who was also a 1/3 owner along with James Moore and Charles Mabry. This 480 foot long wooden covered bridge spanning the Chattahoochee River was burned by Union troops during the Civil War on July 14, 1864. Horace King built a second wooden covered bridge between 1867 and 1868, which he also co-owned with Moore and Mabry. This bridge was washed away in the flood of 1881. During the early 1900’s the Jones family acquired the site and erected a metal bridge across the Chattahoochee in 1917. Remnants of the 1917 metal bridge are still visible at the park site. Carroll County will recognize the historical significance of the site with interpretive signage and various programs.
Community Development staff worked with Daryl Johnson with Carroll County Parks & Recreation, who recommended a variety of features to incorporate into Moore’s Bridge Park.
Initial ideas include:
• A trail system that incorporates restored trails with new trails for humans and horses
alike. The trail system will be the “veins” of the park, as they will traverse the site and tie together the various features.
• Creation of a replica Covered Bridge across a water body within the park,
in honor of the historical Horace King Covered Bridge.
• Construction of two other bridges over key water bodies.
• Equestrian trails that will integrate horses into the park’s beauty.
• Establishment of a canoe/kayak launch area on the Chattahoochee River.
• Adding a parking area at each of the park’s two entries.
• Construction of two comfort centers that will be designed with environmental-friendly principles (such as waterless toilets).
• Signage at both park entrances, as well as interpretative signage within the park.
• Camping areas that will draw visitors to the park’s beauty and activities.
Moore’s Bridge Park is a local jewel that will be enjoyed by County residents and visitors alike for years to come. This grant affords the County the perfect opportunity to both rehabilitate and develop the park. By highlighting the past and pointing towards the future, Moore’s Bridge Park will serve as a local and regional destination.
Additional Sources Used - Moore’s Bridge Park Plan
Carroll County News
TAG / TAX OFFICE NEW EXTENDED HOURS
June 24, 2010
The Carroll County Tax Commissioner’s Office is now open for extended hours for Tag / Tax Service. The new hours are: Monday through Friday, from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.
Community Development News
Zoning Ordinance to be Updated
June 16, 2010
Carroll County has grown in population from approximately 65,000 residents when zoning regulations were first implemented in 1987, to approximately 115,000 residents presently. This explosive growth experienced here in Carroll County was mirrored by the rest of the metro Atlanta region, triggering new residential, commercial, and industrial development. With this large growth, comes the challenge of effectively encouraging it, while at the same time, trying to protect the interests of established residents and businesses.
Over the years, since zoning regulations were first introduced into unincorporated Carroll County, the County has used virtually the same zoning ordinance to administer land use. For the first several years after its adoption, the zoning ordinance served its purpose well. However, over time, it has become antiquated, and is no longer the best instrument to regulate land use in a growing suburban county.
The ordinance has been tweaked several times in recent years, in an attempt to address needs and issues that have arisen over time. The Community Development staff realized that with the economic slowdown, this was the perfect time to undertake the complete revision of the county zoning code. The zoning ordinance revision is being spearheaded in house by the staff thus keeping costs significantly lower than if an outside consultant performed the task entirely. A citizen group (Zoning Advisory Panel) appointed by Chairman Chappell met last spring with the Community Development staff to listen and present feedback on initial drafts of the ordinance. Since then, the staff, with the help of several interns, has been completing the full draft. The main goal of the rewrite is to be able to address the needs of a modern Carroll County, and provide for the effective regulation of myriads of land use possibilities.
After a final draft is completed in the coming months, the next step in the process will be a legal review of the document. After that review and any necessary revisions, the Zoning Advisory Panel will meet one last time, and after that, the Board of Commissioners will discuss the draft at work sessions for their review. Public hearings and review sessions will be advertised, so that the public has ample time to read, review and comment on the proposed new ordinance and map.
Carroll County News
Judicial Center Update - 6-3-2010
June 3, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2010
Construction of the new Carroll County Judicial Center is set to begin on Thursday, June 10, 2010 after a Notice to Proceed is issued by the County. At the June 1st meeting, the Board of Commissioners approved the low bid of $16,939,927 from J & R Construction and Development, a local building contractor. This bid includes plans for a 5th Floor and will also enable Court House employees to remain in the Annex while construction is underway.
Court services will not be interrupted during construction, which is anticipated to take 18 months. Starting after business hours, Wednesday, June 9, 2010, Tanner Street south of the new parking deck and the parking lots adjacent to the Court House will be closed. Residents will be able to park in the newly opened deck off Tanner Street and access the building from the Newnan Street entrance.
Carroll County News
Community Videos
May 19, 2010
http://www.elocallink.tv/mlink/csoon.php?x=UWNealY7A28
Carroll County News
Census 2010
April 1, 2010
Didn’t receive a Census form? Questions? Call 1-866-872-6868 with any questions or concerns you have about the 2010 Census.
A Question Assistance Center is currently located at the Burson Center.
