Gwinnett Daily Post

NORCROSS -- City Council members voted Monday to table consideration of an EB-5 immigrant visa program, an immigrant visa category in which a foreign national who invests $500,000 in approved investment projects or $1 million in a business that creates 10 jobs in the United States may be granted permanent resident status.

Councilman Keith Shewbert said Monday that, "this is a very complex financial concept, and I've been uncomfortable with it."

Shewbert went on to say that he does not like the idea of immigrants basically "paying $500,000 to go to the front of the visa line."

Consideration of the matter has been tabled until the city's April policy session, giving City Manager Rudolph Smith and his team time to review the EB-5 presentation thoroughly.

Noise ordinance changes approved

Council members voted to approve changes to the city's noise ordinance Monday, giving code enforcement officers more clear guidelines and direction in enforcing noise levels with respect to lawn care, entertainment and automobile noise.