Cherokee County will waive land disturbance and building permit fees for churches along Ga. 20 that will have to sell their land and relocate elsewhere in the county due to a highway widening project.

The Cherokee Board of Commissioners approved the waivers, which will be available to Macedonia Baptist Church, Philadelphia Baptist Church and Buffington Baptist Church. The churches had contacted the county Development Services Center and requested the waivers, staff said in a report to commissioners.

So far, only Macedonia Baptist has received permits, staff said. Fees to be waived for that church are $5,362 for a land disturbance permit, and $7,616 for a building permit. The other churches are under review or have not yet submitted plans to the county.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is widening Ga. 20 from Canton to Cumming in Cherokee and Forsyth counties. Information: https://bit.ly/2gFjpab