The Milledgeville City Council met July 8 to host two public hearings, leading to the approval of the first step to potentially build 11 boutique hotels at 560 W. Martin Luther King Dr.
The council hosted a public hearing to amend the land development code to allow for the placement of boutique hotels with green space. The Planning and Zoning Committee met June 2 and unanimously approved this request with the stipulation that a maximum of 11 units be allowed in total. The owner of the property stated he wishes to build something “unique” with “suites” that will offer a place for students or visitors to stay.
According to the owner, each building will be ADA accessible, and it is estimated to take a year to complete the project. It will be a “keyless” hotel with no managers on-site and gate access with a code to be a “no person access hotel.” The standard suite is about 300 square feet for a standard hotel so the suites will be no more than 300-320 square feet.
“Excellent idea,” commented Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan. “Hopefully you will have some turnover, as you said, with bringing in some more doctors and nurses that take advantage of it (being near the hospital) as well. I like the plan and the layout.
“You couldn’t ask for a better group of people to come in and establish something,” added Parham-Copelan. “They are 100% committed. They are a great team for us and the City of Milledgeville to take on and do something with.”
Council unanimously approved the amendment to the land development code with the stipulation that a maximum of 11 units be allowed in total to be added to the contract.
Another hearing was held to discuss an ordinance establishing the reapportioned election districts. No one spoke for or against the ordinance and it was unanimously approved.
Council also unanimously approved:
• Theissuanceofamoratorium on the permitting of convenience stores, food marts and vape shops.
• Acontractwith Terracon Consults Inc. for Geotechnical Engineering Services in connection with Turnup Seed Engineering.
• Aresolutionauthorizing TEFRA approval for the Milledgeville Housing Authority. This resolution affirms that a public hearing was held in Henry County for a project that the Milledgeville Housing Authority allocated tax-exempt bonds to in 2023, after a city project fell through, to assist with the development of a multifamily housing project in Henry County. It needed additional tax-exempt debt to be completed due to rising construction costs. The bonds issued in 2023 are not an obligation for the city of Milledgeville or the housing authority, according to a representative at the council meeting. There is no liability, and the bonds are solely secured by revenues of the property. This resolution only approves that the required public hearing was held in Henry County and the Henry County Board of Commissioners had already adopted a similar resolution. Please refer to nine minutes in the recording of the council meeting to hear the full details.
• Theissuanceofa memorandum of understanding to formalize a binding cooperative agreement related to processing of GCSU Department of Public Safety citations between Georgia College State University and the City of Milledgeville.
• AcontractforQuitclaim Deed between the mayor and alderman of the City of Milledgeville and 111 N. Wayne St. LLC.