Forsyth County Board of Commissioners to discuss land bank at Thursday meeting

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Board of Commissioners will discuss funding for the Forsyth County/City of Cumming Land Bank Authority and of retaining counsel for guidance and related matters when it meets Thursday July 8 at 5 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 110 East Main Street in Cumming.

The purpose of the land bank is to focus on conversion of vacant, abandoned and tax-delinquent properties to productive use.

One example of such a property is the Greenleaf development near the Forsyth, Dawson County line started some 15 years ago that was abandoned after it became the subject of builder-based fraud. The 60 lots were too small to permit septic tanks, there was no sewer and the county did not approve the streets.

The lots were overgrown with weeds and the few houses that were built were vandalized subject to burglary, loitering, abandoned vehicles. The county had the homes demolished in 2015.u

County officials hope the land bank will help the community turn an eyesore into a more productive use.

The Board will also discuss acceptance of  payment of policy limits of $25,000 for damage sustained to Unit # 124 with authorization for the Risk and Safety Manager to execute the Property Damage Release with Michelle Desjardins and GEICO Indemnity Company.

There will also be a discussion regarding the renewal of an annual Insurance Coverage Agreement with ACCG-IRMA in the amount of $931,872.