A firm has been chosen to construct a new roundabout in north Forsyth.
The roundabout bid was one of several items approved on Thursday’s regular Forsyth County Commissioners’ meeting, where commissioners also approved changes to hours for a medical facility and funds for the renovation of a county facility.
Roundabout moves ahead
Commissioners also voted 4-1, with District 5 Commissioner Laura Semanson opposed, to award a $503,562.64 bid to Vertical Earth for construction of a roundabout at John Burruss and Karr Road.
When asked by District 1 Commissioner Pete Amos, County Manager Eric Johnson said county staff was not giving a recommendation on the decision because the county had not “resolved issues outstanding with three [previous] projects.”
“I know we’ve had some problems with them before,” Amos said. “I’m not saying they deserve another chance, but [the company] is the lowest bidder. They do good work.”
Medical facility approved
Forsyth County Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve a county-initiated request for a conditional-use permit to allow a medical facility on Rowe Lane near Hammond’s Crossing to operate at hours not usually allowed under the commercial business district (CBD) zoning.
Zoning attorney Emory Lipscomb said the facility would be for a “kidney care, dialysis facility” and the change in hours was needed for patients.
“This facility, to accommodate everyone, has patients that can only come in the night,” Lipscomb said. “There aren’t that many of them, but it serves as a great service to be able to look after those people.”
There were no other speakers in the public hearing.
Resolution approved
At a recent work session, commissioners discussed potential renovations to the county administration building in the area where commissioners hold their work sessions and other county staff have offices.
At the work session, County Attorney Ken Jarrard recommended a resolution to allow SPLOST VII funds at be used on the project.
Commissioners voted 5-0 to pass the resolution on Thursday.
The project will include moving around offices in the building. Often during work sessions, seats for those attending the meeting can be limited.
The project will not impact the nearby reception area, which was also recently renovated. Wiring the room for cameras to keep staff from having to film meetings and having a special room for county staff to watch the meeting were proposed at the work session to maximize space.