With a focus on infrastructure, economic development and amenities, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners chairman Todd Levent delivered the 2017 State of the County address Thursday.
Levent said that “hasty” home construction that’s led to an overburdened infrastructure is being addressed through an early update of the county’s comprehensive plan to balance residential and commercial growth. He said that’s tied into to moratoriums in several zoning categories while the county seeks to lower the density in each category. He also indicated monthly workshops with the county’s Planning Commission will put a more intensive focus on pending zoning cases.
The chairman touted infrastructure upgrades seeking to cope with the arrival of new residents-up nearly 26 percent from 2010 to 2016-ranging from the widening of Ga. 400 and other key arterial roadways to the creation of new county parks and fire stations to seeking a new water supply intake from Lake Lanier.
On the business development front, Levent noted that a multi-government-agency Economic Stakeholder Development Group has been revived and is developing and executing a new community-based economic development plan. He said its aims are to develop the commercial sector of the economy and create high-paying jobs. He said the county created more than 800 new jobs last year.
Levent also praised the county’s median income and high-school graduation rate-both well above the national average and gave kudos to the sheriff’s office fo its war on drugs.
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