Augusta could close the door on new apartments in most of the city

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Augusta Commission are discussing imposing a moratorium on apartments except for in the downtown business district.

The matter came up for discussion Tuesday when commissioners met at the committee level, meaning that many actions must be approved by the full commission.

“I believe strongly that this potential moratorium will give us an opportunity to kind of reassess where we are to create opportunities to have a discussion, especially with our planning and development department, about how we can create a more efficient process to create more single-family residences,” says Mayor Garnett Johnson.

This moratorium would not apply to downtown apartments.

Some city leaders feel apartments pose challenges to infrastructure, schools and utilities.

“Whenever we get to a point where we’re creating more apartment complexes, more apartment dwellers than we are single family residents that creates a problem, I believe, with our ability to deliver services to our taxpayers,” Johnson says.

On Tuesday, leaders expressed that apartments can look quite a bit different in five to 15 years because the issues are different than maintaining a house.

And Mayor Pro Tempore Wayne Guilfoyle says apartment complexes displace houses.

City leaders noted that there’s been an uptick in multi-family homes in south Augusta near the industrial park.

“We should be creating more single-family residents for Augusta, Richmond County, we should be creating more workforce housing, more affordable housing, more housing availability to those that are entering the housing market,” says Johnson.

Guilfoyle said it’s a challenge that there are few commercial areas in that vicinity, and the only way to attract them is to build “rooftops” and that apartments are not “rooftops.”

He said houses would “complement” the area.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson expressed concern that the moratorium could open the door to displacement of some of the population.

With half the population in Augusta renting, Mayor Garnett Johnson said there should be more affordable options, and that “we should be encouraging people to buy houses.”

Johnson says when it comes to single-family homes, Augusta is being outpaced by neighboring counties.

“Especially in south Richmond County, they’re concerned with their numbers,” said Johnson. “We should be creating more single-family residences for Augusta, Richmond County, we should be creating more workforce housing, more affordable housing and more housing availability to those who are entering the housing market.”

There was no action taken today but, Commissioner Francine Scott said officials should meet with the builders’ association and that the community isn’t building fast enough.

OTHER MATTERS

Mosquitoes: Health district seeks more money

1. Mosquitoes are arriving with the spring, and the pesky parasites got some discussion among Augusta Commission Tuesday.
2. This year is especially bad for the insects because of the conditions created by Hurricane Helene nearly six months ago,
3. Commissioners heard from Lee A. Donohue, East Central Health District director.
4. Spraying for the pests is about to begin, a seasonal process that takes place from around the Masters Tournament until November.
5. This year, Donohue is asking for more money.
6. The current allocation is $485,000 for mosquito control and disease prevention, but Donohue is seeking $290,835 more this year – including $48,000 for a new truck – and a sustained budget increase of $242,835 per year.
7. That would still put Richmond County well under what Chatham County spends – over $5.4 million a year.

Hurricane Helene: Millions more for cleanup

1. Leaders approved supplemental funding not to exceed $15 million for Hurricane Helene debris removal services with Ceres Environmental Services. The city has spent $28 million so far, and officials hope this latest money closes out the project.
2. Leaders also approved supplemental funding not to exceed $3.728 million for debris removal monitoring services with Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood.
3. Mayor Garnett Johnson said the city is still in line for 100% reimbursement from the federal government for cleanup work done before March 23. After that, the rate is 75%.
4. 13 districts have finished the final , but 23 districts, including Blythe, still have not been completed.

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