A request to extend a Special Use Permit (SUP) for another nine months for a proposed assisted senior living facility on Eagle Drive was approved by the Covington City Council Wednesday night.
Attorney David Ozburn with the Alexander Royston Law Firm in Covington spoke on behalf Chandler and Brown, sellers of the property located at 10500 Eagle Drive.
“The property is under contract, but one of the conditions on the sale, which is expected to close by the end of the year, is that the special use permit be in place,” Ozburn said. “We’re here to have that SUP extended so the sale can go through, and construction can begin.”
Ozburn, who was hired last month, said the buyer has contracted with Oaks Senior Living, which operates assisted living communities in Cumming, Brasselton, Pooler and Woodstock, to build and run the facility.
Mayor Ronnie Johnston and Council Member Hawnethia Williams, Post 2, West, were concerned that the proposed facility was much smaller than originally proposed.
“There were grand plans to go there, but market studies said it needed to be scaled down,” Ozburn agreed. “I want to say [there will be] 70 to 80 units, but I don’t want to overstate it. It’s projected to create 65 jobs ranging in all levels of education and pay. It’s going to be good for the tax base.”
Council Member Mike Whatley, Post 2, East, said he believed there was a need for assisted living facilities in Covington and Newton County. “Those that are opened today are full,” he said, as he made a motion to extend the SUP for nine months. “Let’s get it done in nine months and get it [the facility] on the ground.”
The council unanimously approved the nine month extension to the SUP.
De-annexation ordinance read
The council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to deannex a piece of land in the East Metro Industrial Park on Moore and East Metro Parkway.
'Life of the Party' to film on the Square
A request to close the inner parking area of the Historic Square from 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, to 8 a.m., Friday, Oct. 14 for the filming of scenes for the movie, “Life of the Party,” was also unanimously approved.
Additional intermittent street closings were also approved for Monticello Street SW to Pennington Street SW, Monday through Friday, Oct. 10 through 14, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Hendricks Street SW from Ivy Street to South Street SW, Monday and Tuesday, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 1 p.m. to 7 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 13 from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. and Friday, Oct. 14 from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, for truck parking. City Manager Leigh Anne Knight told the council that those streets would not be completely blocked.
Booster fire hoses to be purchased with sub money
The council voted to accept a grant from Firehouse Subs for $16,902.25. The grant will be used to purchase booster fire hoses for the Covington Fire Department.
