Hogansville City Council extends data center moratorium, moves forward with new ordinance

The Hogansville City Council recently honored City Clerk LeAnn Lehigh for her dedicated service during Professional Municipal Clerks Week, a surprise recognition joined by her family. In other key developments, the council voted to extend its moratorium on data centers for an additional 90 days, setting the new expiration date in early August. City Manager Lisa Kelly reported that an appointed data center committee, working with staff and Canvas Planning consultant Aaron Fortner, is developing a comprehensive data center ordinance. The committee is on its fourth draft, with plans to present it to the Hogansville Planning & Zoning Commission on May 21. If approved, the city council will proceed with a public hearing and first reading on June 15, followed by a potential second reading and adoption on July 6. The council also approved an agreement for the acquisition of a strip of land essential for completing the Blue Creek Technology Parkway. This land deal will facilitate the construction of an exit ramp directly from I-85, connecting to the parkway and Amazon’s facilities. The City of Hogansville will acquire the land, with Amazon covering the funding for both the acquisition and parkway construction. Further council business included approving a property donation at 102 N. Highway 29 from Pristine Realty to the city and authorizing the purchase of patriotic flags and banners for downtown Hogansville, totaling up to $3,500, to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and future patriotic events. A resolution was also passed designating the city manager as custodian for FDIC insurance coverage at Anchor Bank following the closure of Community Bank & Trust.