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City-owned property may be placed on real estate market
Council looks at selling land in city square; swapping land with developer
City-owned property in Hoschton may be exchanging hands soon — depending on actions by the council next month.
On Monday, the Hoschton City Council reviewed two plans for property transactions of city-owned land.
The first proposal — which divided the council — calls for the city to sell two of three vacant lots on the city square for development. A third lot would remain the city’s property for future government expansion.
The proposal would require that the lots be substantially developed within 18 months of a closing date, or the city reserves the right to purchase the land at a 15 percent discount.
Council member James Keinard said he opposed the sale of the city-owned lots, because it might someday lead to Hoschton officials seeking eminent domain for a government expansion project.
“Why take someone else’s property if we already have property,” he questioned.
Council member Deborah Donaldson said the city already owns the building being leased by Lil’ Hooties Ice Cream Parlor, the neighboring police department building, and city hall — which can be expanded to an existing lower level or have a new upper level constructed.
The council suggested that money from the sale of the city square lots be reserved for a capital improvement fund to expand or construct city-owned facilities.
Council member Ben Davis said the city square with new stores on the lots will become a destination for pedestrians in Hoschton.
Council member Brian Boehmer warned that the city square may stagnate without new growth.
But other council members didn’t favor the proposal to sell the lots.
“I don’t think we should sell that piece of property at all,” said council member Ronald Holcomb.
Joyce Peppers said: “It would be nice if the city could put something there for the city.”
Davis said the city can’t afford such a proposal.
And mayor Billy Holder said he had mixed feelings about the proposed real estate move.
“Both (sides) have got a good point — and I can agree with both (sides), but we can’t do both things,” he said. “You’ve put me in a bind here for wanting me to break a tie when I don’t wholeheartedly believe in either (side).”
At Holder’s request, the council agreed to table the proposed land sell for one month.
Ken Gary, who is developing several lots next to Frankie’s Hair Salon in the city square, said the council should consider expanding its 18-month construction deadline for the lots to 24 months or longer.
“In this building business, 18 months flies by pretty fast,” he said.
The additional timeline, Gary said, would open the door for more bids for the lots at a potential higher price tag.
LAND SWAP
Gary was also the subject of a second proposed real estate transaction that the council reviewed.
Gary is developing The Village at Hoschton, a 91-lot subdivision on Cabin Drive, and Brookglen, an 88-lot subdivision. Both developments are located within walking distance of the West Jackson Park at Hoschton.
Hoschton officials were considering a plan to construct a ground water storage tank on 1.1 acres of city-owned property on Cabin Drive. The site is located across from the entrance of The Village at Hoschton subdivision.
Gary told the council he didn’t want the sight of a 75-foot high water storage tank greeting his subdivision.
He offered to swap a 1.65-acre piece of property that he owned near the park, in exchange for the city-owned land on Cabin Drive. Gary later sweetened the offer by proposing to give the city $40,000 for two tennis courts on the property near the park.
“I’m giving you $40,000 and a tract of land that’s better than you’ve got,” he told the council on Monday.
An appraisal of the city-owned property is expected to be completed by the Oct. 3 council meeting.
Attorney Mark Scott, who was representing the city, said getting the appraisal of the Hoschton-owned property was a matter of public trust.
The council agreed to accept Gary’s offer, provided the appraisal of the city-owned property is of equal or greater value than Gary’s 1.65 acres, plus $40,000.
Gary added that he is waiting for Jackson County officials to begin road projects that are serving his developments.
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