FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners discussed the public’s growing fascination with Build-to-Rent communities catching on across the nation. While there have been no zoning applications relative to this model in Forsyth County, Commissioners anticipated the possibility of future applications and began to discuss n Build-to-Rent Ordinance

One possible definition is a community or 15 percent or larger part of a community of single-family residences offered for rental only in a professionally managed community single-family detached or detached homes or townhomes.

Some potential restrictions discussed included establishing a Build-to-Rent zoning district; establish build-to-rent as a conditional use; establish development standards for build to rent; specify types of dwellings such as attached, detached, attached multifamily.

Ultimately, commissioners directed attorney Ken Jarrard to work with Planning Director Tom Brown to draft an ordinance for them to consider.

The Board approved:

• A sole source purchase totaling $4.3 million to Ten-8 for several fire apparatuses for the County Fire to include one Arrow Pumper Truck, one Arrow Aerial Tower Truck, one Arrow Heavy Rescue Squad Truck and, one Arrow HazMat Squad Truck;
• Authorization for the Fire Department to apply for the Fiscal Year 2021 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program which totals $1.7 million for the three-year period and will allow the hiring of six new Firefighter positions;
• A list of items as surplus with authorization for the Department of Procurement to dispose of accordingly;
• The award of Bid 21-154-5211 for construction of the Phase 5 Big Creek Greenway Trailhead for the Department of Parks and Recreation to Diversified Construction of Georgia, Inc. in the amount of $1,689,000.00;
• The award of RFP 21-188-5211 for Phase 2 Lanierland Park Playground Design and Installation for the Department of Parks and Recreation to PlaySouth Playground Creators in the amount of $249,996.00;

• The award of Bid 21-145-1620 to provide Commissioning Services for the County’s new Administration Building Bid 21-145-1620 to Total Systems Commissioning Authority Services, Inc. in the amount of $84,000.00;
• Acceptance of the Council of Accountability Courts Judges State of Georgia Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program in the amount of $97,200.00.  Funding will be used for emergency shelter for individuals with mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders that are currently participating in the Accountability Courts Program;
• Authorization for the Sheriff’s Office to accept the award from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation in the amount of $49,550.00 with no match required with approval of a Budget Resolution;
• Authorization for staff to proceed with the Public Hearing process regarding a proposed abandonment of a portion of Era Road (a/k/a Old Tribble Road) as requested by HEPCM, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, to facilitate the Publix-anchored commercial development at the intersection of SR20 and Tribble Road;
• Reappointment of Richard Neville as Counsel and Hearing Officer to the Civil Service Board for calendar year 2022;
• Board reappointment of Kathy Echols as Clerk to the Civil Service Board for calendar year 2022;
• Drafting of County ordinances regarding build-for-rent communities;
• A presentation regarding the future Employee Center with possible Board direction;
• Authorization to hire an additional Deputy Sheriff for the purposes of adding an additional inmate litter and grass detail;
• Adoption of the 2022-2026 5-year Capital Improvement Program;
• A Resolution ratifying the proposed BOC District Boundary Map previously approved by the Board on Oct. 21, 2021, or to consider modified district boundaries;
• Enabling legislation, with regard to qualifications for Board of Commissioners’ office.