Toccoa Commission Approves Ordinance Amendment

Toccoa City Commissioners approve changes to the city’s ordinance on erosion and sedimentation control to match state law.

On Monday, city commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance amendment to the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act following a second reading and public hearing on the proposal.

Nobody from the public spoke on the proposed changes during the public hearing.

Toccoa City Manager Billy Morse said that the changes would not have any impact on Toccoa.

“There are some definitions, but none of them have a direct impact to us,” said Morse. “There is an addition of coastal marshlands, but obviously that does not affect us and there are some requirements on the permitee, so land owners and contractors must meet education and training requirements and certainly would recommend approval. That will let us maintain our local issuing authority status. I think that means a lot to the folks that need these permits.”

City commissioners had held a first reading and public hearing on the changes last month and there was not any comment at that meeting either.

Morse said these changes were necessary to match local law to changes in state law approved by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

In other action from Monday’s Toccoa City Commission meeting, the commission voted unanimously to move its December 26 meeting to December 19.

Morse says that December 26 is a city holiday, prompting the move.