FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — During Thursday’s regular meeting, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Randy Rich as mediator for the local option sales tax talks with the City of Cumming.

Rich is a former Superior Court Judge in Gwinnett County. In introducing Rich, County Attorney Ken Jarrard said he has conferred with City officials and they agree with the choice. Rich is expected start work next week at a rate of $500 per hour.

The Board denied a request by Nima Amin to  amendment  of zoning conditions that would allow two additional rows of parking along Windermere Parkway for a fine wine and spirits store.

Commissioners approved a zoning variance by DJ and Ankita Patel to reduce a rear set back from 20 feet to 9 feet to accommodate construction of a swimming pool at 7015 Laurel Oak Drive in Suwanee.

They also approved an alternate design for the RBM of Atlanta Mercedes Benz dealership located at 335, 345 McFarland Parkway and 535 Staghorn Lane in Alpharetta.