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Board wants to reconsider mountain request
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Forsyth County News
The Forsyth County commission wants to re-examine a recent decision.

Chairman Charles Laughinghouse announced at Thursday's meeting that he will move to revoke a May 20 resolution that would allow a property on Sawnee Mountain to be subdivided.

The 2-acre site was split into two in 2009, against a restrictive covenant prohibiting a subdivision until 2014 or unless a majority of neighboring property owners approved.

Members of the Lucas family told the commission last month that they weren't aware of the covenant until finding a buyer for the vacant acre.

The covenant had been put in place by the Barker family upon selling the mountain property in 1994.

Laughinghouse said Thursday that the commission didn't have all the information it needed to make the previous decision and would reconsider the matter if the vote were rescinded.

It's possible, Laughinghouse said, that majority of neighbors may not agree to changing the covenant for the property.

He noted that the subdivision restriction may have been put in place to prevent traffic along the narrow, steep mountain road.

Also on Thursday, the commission:

* Granted a public hearing to Tyrone Rogers, who lives in the Highlands at Sawnee Mountain subdivision, to review the recent denial of a back yard variance by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Rogers had a contractor build a large stone fireplace in his backyard without a permit or approval for a variance.

As a result, some concerned neighbors have asked that the fireplace be removed.

Commissioner Jim Boff was the lone vote against holding the hearing, which is set for July 1.

* Amended zoning conditions for the proposed Matt Green community on Matt Highway near Doctor Bramblett Road.  

The changes will let the developer delay the start of construction on the mixed-use development until the economy improves.

The wait will also allow a nearby mulch business to continue operating and keep jobs.

* Heard the first reading of proposed changes to the alcohol ordinance that would allow wine tasting rooms in the county.

Commissioners discussed lowering the proposed license fee to be comparable to those of nearby counties. The second public hearing is set for July 1.

* Approved revisions to the county soil erosion and sedimentation control ordinance, which sets environmental standards for developers.

-- Unless noted otherwise, all votes were 4-0, with Commissioner Jim Harrell absent.