Gwinnett Daily Post

BUFORD - By annexing seven parcels of land in Monday's city commission meeting, Buford brought an additional 20 acres into its city limits.

Eleven acres, more than half the acreage, lie along Gravel Springs Road near the Mall of Georgia. The Gravel Springs Road area appears to be evolving from its residential roots into a business/commercial spot. Buford's Comprehensive Land-Use Plan indicates the general area of Gravel Springs Road is expected to be used for commercial purposes, while Gwinnett County's Land-Use Plan shows it to be developed as medium-density residential at four to seven units per acre.

All annexations had the blessings of Buford's Planning and Zoning Board and Gwinnett and Hall counties, depending upon where the property lay.

Buford annexed six acres of residential property owned by Lamarr Bullock on Gravel Springs Road.

A separate four acres at 3270 Gravel Springs Road, near the Mall of Georgia, entered Buford. The formerly residential property was rezoned to commercial to be compatible with adjoining property.

Less than one acre at 3220 Gravel Springs Road was annexed into Buford and rezoned from residential to commercial. A house that sits on the property will be upgraded and opened as an office/retail establishment.

Less than one acre on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Hall County near McEver Road was annexed into Buford and rezoned from residential/agricultural to commercial. A special-use permit, which would allow Pedro Montenegro to open a retail tire store, was tabled until the June city commission meeting.

Four residential acres connecting Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and South Waterworks Road were annexed into Buford.

Four acres at 2463 Buford Dam Road were annexed and rezoned from residential to commercial use. The rental house on the property will be converted into an office, with the rear possibly used for boat storage in the future. This property was a pocket of county land surrounded on two sides by the city of Buford.

Less than one acre at 5575 Lakeshore Drive was annexed in Buford retaining its residential zoning.

Larry Marsingill

appointed housing

authority commissioner

Larry Marsingill, 67, was appointed to Buford's Housing Authority Commission to fill the seat vacated by David House. House, 81, served 35 years in the voluntary position of Housing Authority Commissioner. He retired March 31.

Marsingill, a Navy veteran, was educated in Buford schools and has lived in the city most of his life. He is active with the Church of God and was married to his wife, Doris, for 48 years. House has been a resident of the Buford Housing Authority since 1995.

Portion of Sudderth Road abandoned

Old Sudderth Road is following a new path. The road has been rerouted and upgraded to create a safer road for drivers and walkers. As a result, about 200 feet of the old Sudderth Road, about a quarter of which lies in Sugar Hill, is now unused and will be abandoned.

City Commission Chairman Phillip beard said the abandoned road will be given to the adjoining property owners.

New furniture for

new City Hall

Buford City Commissioners approved spending $281,000 to furnish the new City Hall building. The contract was awarded to Interior Space Consultants, the lowest bidder.