Board of Commissioners approves initial expenses for Land Bank
Featured Stories July 9, 2021
County Manager Kevin Tanner
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a request by County Manager Kevin Tanner to authorize initial expenses for the newly created Forsyth County/City of Cumming Land Bank.
Tanner said counsel will draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will require those expenses for the Anderson Lake (also known as the Greenleaf Development) to be brought into the Land Bank.
“The Land Bank had a meeting with the Tax Commissioner this week and we feel like we have a good plan,” Tanner said. “It’s going to require a judge to issue the title and there is a cost to do that per parcel.”
The MOU would establish that once the properties are sold the Land Bank will reimburse the county for any legal fees and other money associated with acquisition of the titles.
The Greenleaf development near the Forsyth and Dawson County line started some 15 years ago but was abandoned after it became the subject of builder-based fraud. The developer and appraiser went to jail. The 60 lots were too small permit septic tanks, there was no sewer and the county did not approve the streets.
The lots became overgrown with weeds and the few houses that were built were vandalized subject to burglary, loitering and other crimes. The county had the homes demolished in 2015.
In other New Business, the Board voted unanimously to approve payment of $25,000 from Geico Insurance on behalf of client for damage to a Sheriff’s Office patrol unit.
The Board also voted unanimously to renew the annual Insurance Coverage Agreement with ACCG-IRMA in the amount of $931,872;
Forsyth County Board of Commissioners to discuss land bank at Thursday meeting
News July 7, 2021
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.