This month’s city council meeting, which took place on March 20^th, proves that Peachtree City still can’t get enough of pickleball.  Public comment included one enthusiastic citizen asking about a time frame for pickleball court completion, while yet another citizen was more enthused that the new public pickleball facilities will result in his neighbors playing loud pickleball games at the new institutions and not outside his house.  The latter noted that the new facilities were announced on his birthday.  Another citizen brought forward a desire to have more public park bathrooms, for obvious hygiene reasons.  It should go without saying the effect that public bathrooms have on the cleanliness of nearby woods.  

An agreement was also approved between the city and the board of education- allowing the BOE to use the city’s baseball field at the athletic complex so MacIntosh high school can use it while its own field is undergoing renovations.  Peachtree City will in return be permitted to use the old JC Booth middle school gym for events.  No money will change hands in this contract- just two different segments of the government working with one another for mutual benefit.

There was also debate over an amendment concerning tattoo parlors.  The amendment, put forth in 2010, greatly restricts tattoo parlors in Peachtree City in the name of safety concerns regarding needles, as well as the criminal aspect of tattooing minors.  Council members were concerned that this ordinance may negatively impact businesses looking to practice certain cosmetic procedures.

Interestingly, much of the discourse regarding this issue was about the proper procedure for putting items on the agenda and prioritization, rather than about the actual issue, but when all was said and done the ordinance was sent to the planning committee.  Councilman Clint Holland stated that local businesses are supported, but only if they follow the ordinances.  Ordinances such as the one in question are not there to hinder businesses, but they may change the way they operate in order to maintain the safety of Peachtree City’s citizens.

A few public hearings took place- with two variance Requests regarding front setbacks on a property on Moba Drive being approved.  In the same area, a special use permit for golf carts rental was approved.  However, a variance request for a curb cut on a property on Robinson Road was denied on a 2-2 vote.  

The City of Civility agreement was discussed, with Councilwoman Brown stating that even since the adoption of the resolution, there have been problems with indecorous behavior on the city council, often involving personal beratements.  “Signing that document means nothing.  Signing that document achieves nothing.  Either you are civil or you are not.  Signing a paper does not make it so.”

Councilwoman Johnson argued, however, that we owe it to our citizens to have the agreement as something for council members to hold themselves to- in spite of uncivil moments that may occur in the future.  In the end, further discussion of the matter was left until the next meeting- so stay tuned for more city council updates!

Link to Peachtree City Ordinance: https://mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us/api/ordinanceDownload/11414/299603/pdf