Storm drain art contest challenges students to promote water quality
Press Release August 23, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Keep Forsyth County Beautiful and the Forsyth County Department of Water & Sewer invite high school students to showcase their artistic abilities in the 2021 Storm Drain Art Contest.
Current Forsyth County high school students are asked to submit original artwork that educates about water quality and clearly enhances the theme: Only Rain Goes Down the Drain.
Submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, and will be judged by a review panel. Winners will be announced in early October. Three contest winners will receive $100 in compensation for their work, certificates of recognition and will have the opportunity to paint theircreations on designated storm drains throughout the city and county.
“As water flows over land, streets and parking lots after a rain event, numerous contaminants including trash, chemicals, pet waste, motor oil, yard clippings, sediment, and fertilizers are collected along the way ending up in our water systems,” said Forsyth County Manager of Environmental Programs Tammy Wright. “Our hope is that this contest will help educate our residents about watershed health and the importance of keeping our waterways clean.”
Entries must be submitted by email to Apryl Milam at [email protected]. Each entry email must contain a .jpg, .png or .pdf file of the original work of art with signed entry and release forms. If your email was sent successfully, you will receive an automatic reply. If you have not received a reply, call 770-205-4550 ext. 7142 to confirm receipt.
Commissioners meeting set Thursday at 5 p.m.
News May 19, 2021
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting Thursday (May 20) at 5 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 110 E. Main Street, Suite 220 in Cumming.
Under Announcements IV. Announcements and Reports:
- There will be a presentation of Law Enforcement Commendation Medal Award to Corporal Deborah Forrest by the Robert Forsyth Chapter, Georgia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution;
- There will be a presentation of a Proclamation declaring the month of May as Lupus Awareness Month in Forsyth County;
- There will be a presentation of a Resolution recognizing Simran Gupta for winning the National Middle School Essay Contest;
- There will be a presentation of a Resolution recognizing Vinayak Menon for winning the American Legion Constitution Oratorical Contest;
- There will be a presentation of a Resolution recognizing Keep Forsyth County Beautiful (KFCB) for its recent accomplishments;
- There will be a presentation of a Retirement Award to Pat Carson.
Public Hearings will include:
- A request for an Alcohol License to sell malt beverages (beer), wine, and distilled spirits for consumption on the premises for Pure Pho and Grill 1 Inc dba Pure Pho & Grill located at 410 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 208 – Named Licensee is Tuan Truong;
- A request for an Alcohol License to sell malt beverages (beer), wine, and distilled spirits for consumption on the premises for Dogs on Point LLC dba The Original Hot Dog Factory located at 6330 Halcyon Way, Suite 770 – Named Licensee is Ismael Ramos;
- A request for an Alcohol License to sell malt beverages (beer) and wine for consumption on the premises for Kozzina LLC dba Besties located at 5238 McGinnis Ferry Road – Named Licensee is Carina Balonchard;
- Public Hearing and possible vote regarding the approval of a Sketch Plat for Highway 9 Land LLC and variances to UDC 12-10.15 and UDC Table 21.6 – Parcels 152-007 and 152-114 – SP210001;
- The County-Initiated variance request to: 1.) Reduce the exterior setback from 50 ft. to 15 ft. adjacent to the +/- 6.0 acre outparcel proposed to be subdivided from the property which is proposed to remain zoned A1 and as shown on the submitted concept plan on file with the County (UDC Table 11.2(b)); and, 2.) Reduce the exterior buffer from 25 ft. to 0 ft. adjacent to the +/- 6.0 acre outparcel proposed to be subdivided from the property which is proposed to remain zoned A1 and as shown on the submitted concept plan on file with the County (UDC Table 11.2(b));
- (A) AGENDA ITEM (5)(A) IS NOT A PUBLIC HEARING. AGENDA ITEM PLACED HERE FOR RELATIONSHIP WITH PRIOR PUBLIC HEARINGS (5): John Wilson – ZA3992 – to rezone from Agricultural District (A1) to Single Family Residential District (RES2) on 29.01 acres for 28 residential lots with a density of 0.97 units per acre – Parcel 169-135 – District 4 – Director, Department of Planning and Community Development;
- Adoption of Ordinance 129, also known as the Short-Term Rental Ordinance to regulate properties utilized for short-term rental, to include appointment of a registered agent; to impose certain requirements and restrictions regarding the use of properties for short-term rental; to establish an annual licensing system and a fee for same; to provide for enforcement and penalties for violations; to repeal conflicting ordinances; and for other purposes;
Under Old Business, the Board will consider:
- GPB Properties, LLC – CP210002 – request to operate an open storage yard with 82 parking spaces with an existing 2,479 sq. ft. accessory office on 2.71 acres currently zoned Agricultural District (A1) – Parcels 302-006 and 302-007.
Under New Business, the Board will consider Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and Rezoning Requests:
- Qing Zhang – ZA3996 – to rezone from Single Family Residential District (R1) to Commercial Business District (CBD) on 1.47 acres with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for an open air business associated with existing buildings totaling 2,900 sq. ft. and 13 parking spaces with the following variances: 1.) Reduce the zoning buffer along the western property boundary from 40 ft. to 30 ft. (UDC Table 12.2); 2.) Reduce the zoning setback along the western property boundary from 50 ft. to 30 ft. (UDC Table 12.2); 3.) Reduce the zoning buffer along the southern property boundary from 40 ft. to 39 ft. (UDC Table 12.2); and, 4.) Reduce the zoning setback along the southern property boundary from 50 ft. to 39 ft. (UDC Table 12.2) – Parcel 039-041;
- Paul Marks – CP210003 – to operate an open storage yard with 178 parking spaces with a 740 sq. ft. accessory office with 4 parking spaces on 6.750 acres currently zoned Agricultural District (A1) with the following variance: 1.) Eliminate the 5,000 ft. sewer distance requirement to facilitate the use of an on-site septic disposal system (UDC 18-5.18) – Parcel 144-009;
- The request by Steve and Penny Vickery for a Public Hearing regarding an appeal of the Zoning Board of Appeals’ (ZBA) decision to approve a variance on VA210006 (Alexander Hensley). The variance was approved on April 13, 2021 – AV210005;
- A Sponsorship Agreement between Forsyth County and the Vickery Residential Association for a 2020 grant for funds to repair the Green Lake Dam.
Recycle household hazardous waste May 8
Press Release April 19, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Keep Forsyth County Beautiful (KFCB), in partnership with the Forsyth County Recycling and Solid Waste Department and the City of Cumming, invites residents to participate in the Household Hazardous Waste Recycling and Disposal event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, at the Cumming Fairgrounds’ parking lot 3 (235 Castleberry Rd.).
Online registration and a printed or electronic confirmation are required for participation. Registration for County residents opens at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 26, at keepforsythcountybeautiful.org. Availability is on a first come, first served basis until the maximum amount of materials or vehicles are registered for participation.
Items that will be accepted include corrosive, ignitable, toxic and/or reactive household hazardous waste such as paints, cleaners, oils, fuels, batteries, fluorescent or HID light bulbs, herbicides, pesticides and more. Items that will not be accepted include medical waste, needles, ammunition, explosives, pharmaceuticals and non-hazardous items.
A full list of accepted materials may be found at keepforsythcountybeautiful.org, by emailing [email protected] or by calling (770) 205-4573.
“This event provides a great opportunity for residents to responsibly recycle household hazardous materials,” Forsyth County Environmental Program Manager Tammy Wright said. “Things that people use every day, such as cleaning supplies and paint, can be hazardous not only to people but the environment if not disposed of properly.”
There is no charge for dropping off household hazardous waste during the event. A $5 donation is requested to help support Keep Forsyth County Beautiful, a 501c3 non-profit organization.
Cumming Arbor Day Celebration Feb. 19
Community, Press Release February 14, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
CUMMING, Ga. — The City of Cumming is again partnering with Keep Forsyth County Beautiful, UGA Extension Services, and the Georgia Forestry Commission to present a Community Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, Feb. 19th from 5:30-7 p.m. at Cumming City Park (437 Pilgrim Mill Road). Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged for this event.
K-12th grade students throughout Forsyth County are also invited to take part in a new Arbor Day Youth Art Contest. Three winners of the contest (one each from elementary, middle and high school levels) will be selected to receive recognition and have their art displayed during the Community Arbor Day Celebration and at Cumming City Hall. Submissions must be a painting or drawing with a tree or trees as the focal point. Submissions must also include the student’s first and last name, contact email and phone number.
In addition to recognition of the Youth Art Contest winners, the Cumming Arbor Day Celebration will feature a tree planting demonstration and educational information, recognition of the City as an official “Tree City USA”, free tree saplings and seedlings to take home, and refreshments available for purchase from Tradewind Coffee Company. Click here for complete information!
Arbor Day Celebration February 19
News, Press Release February 3, 2021
KFCP to host household hazardous waste disposal event at Cumming Fairgrounds Nov. 7
News, Press Release November 3, 2020
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Keep Forsyth County Beautiful, in partnership with the City of Cumming and Forsyth County, will present a drive-through Household Hazardous Waste Recycling & Disposal Event at Cumming Fairgrounds Parking Lot #3 on Saturday, Nov. 7. Online registration and a printed or electronic confirmation are required for participation in the event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Click here to register for the event.
Items that will be accepted include corrosive, ignitable, toxic, and/or reactive products such as paints, cleaners, oils, fuels, batteries, fluorescent or HID light bulbs, herbicides, pesticides, and more. Items which will NOT be accepted include medical waste, pharmaceuticals, ammunition, explosives, electronics, and non-hazardous household items.
For the full list of accepted items and to register, click here. Questions can be addressed to [email protected] or (770) 205-4573. There is no charge to participate in the event; however, a $5 donation is requested to help support Keep Forsyth County Beautiful, a 501c3 non-profit organization.
Recycle household hazardous waste Nov. 7
News, Press Release October 20, 2020
PRESS RELEASE
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Keep Forsyth County Beautiful (KFCB), in partnership with the Forsyth County Recycling and Solid Waste Department and the City of Cumming, invites residents to participate in the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Recycling and Disposal event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Cumming Fairgrounds’ parking lot 3 (235 Castleberry Rd.).
Online registration and a printed or electronic confirmation are required for participation. Registration for County residents opens at 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, at keepforsythcountybeautiful.org. Availability is on a first come, first served basis until the maximum amount of materials or vehicles are registered for participation.
Items that will be accepted include corrosive, ignitable, toxic and/or reactive HHW such as paints, cleaners, oils, fuels, batteries, fluorescent or HID light bulbs, herbicides, pesticides and more. Items that will not be accepted include medical waste, needles, ammunition, explosives, pharmaceuticals and non-hazardous items.
A full list of accepted materials may be found at keepforsythcountybeautiful.org, by emailing [email protected] or by calling (770) 205-4573.
“This event provides a great opportunity for residents to responsibly recycle household hazardous materials,” Forsyth County Environmental Program Manager Tammy Wright said. “Things that people use every day, such as cleaning supplies and paint, can be hazardous not only to people but the environment if not disposed of properly.”
There is no charge for dropping off household hazardous waste during the event. A $5 donation is requested to help support Keep Forsyth County Beautiful, a 501c3 non-profit organization.


