An ongoing dispute between Habersham County and the City of Baldwin over plans by Baldwin to annex property planned for development by a Gainesville firm appears to be over.
The controversy has centered around several pieces of land in the Ga. 365/Duncan Bridge Road corridor and possible adverse impacts on traffic and emergency response, and the proposed land-use changes. The six parcels are part of a larger commercial development proposal by Cook Construction. The county commission had twice taken a stand against the annexation.
A called meeting of an arbitration panel appointed to hear the matter had been planned for this morning but was canceled Thursday when county officials announced that a resolution had been reached allowing the annexation but requiring Baldwin to impose specific development restrictions for at least two years after annexation. This will apply to the current property owner and any future owners.
The conditions, while addressing the county’s concerns, do not alter the annexation itself but limit how the land can be developed and are binding not only on the current property owners but any future owners as well.