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County targets site along Etowah River
Eagles Beak may be fifth green space site
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Forsyth County News
Also Thursday, commissioners voted to approve the following:

• A conditional use permit for Lindley Development for a personal care home and institutionalized living facility on about 9 acres at Jot Em Down and Cantrell roads.

• Inviting representatives from the Lake Lanier Association and the 1071 Coalition to Tuesday’s work session to discuss funding for lake studies.
Forsyth County is poised to acquire a fifth green space site.

The county commission voted Thursday to spend $5.5 million for what is known as the Eagle’s Beak, 202 acres along the Etowah River in northwestern Forsyth.

With the acquisition, the county would have about $3 million remaining from the $36 million it could use to acquire green space as part of the $100 million parks, recreation and green space bond.

The commission has already spent $8.9 million for 186-acre Wallace Tatum tract in northwestern Forsyth and $8.5 million on 63-acre Harrison property in south Forsyth.

It acquired the 43-acre Buice property, also in south Forsyth, for $5.1 million. Pending is a deal to buy the 100-acre McClure property for $5 million.

The board voted 5-0 to buy the Eagle’s Beak site. The deal closes in 60 days, during which time the county can get out of the contract, while losing $15,000 in earnest money.

About $1 million, separate from the $36 million earmarked for green space, likely could go toward development of the property.

That separate funding, which involves the Etowah Blueway, is listed in the language of the $100 million parks bond list of projects.

Commissioner Patrick Bell praised the Eagle’s Beak decision.

“Even though this happens to be in my district, it’s a great acquisition for the entire county,” Bell said. “The Etowah River happens to run through that corner, but it allows Forsyth County to become part of a five-county group ... the Etowah Blueway.”

Plans for the blueway include a canoe launching area, trails and pavilions.

E-mail Frank Reddy at frankreddy@forsythnews.com.