March 9 Council Recap: Downtown Playground, Goshen Lane Road Deal and Spring Contracts Win Unanimous Approval

The Woodstock City Council moved through a full slate of action items Monday night, advancing a long-anticipated downtown playground expansion, locking in a road construction partnership and clearing a series of contracts for the city's upcoming event season, all on unanimous 5-0 votes, with Mayor Pro Tem Colin Ake absent.

The March 9 session unfolded largely as anticipated, following the agenda Woodstock Community News previewed last week. No items were tabled or continued, and no significant opposition emerged from the dais. The meeting convened at 7 p.m. in The Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main Street.

**Downtown Playground Gets a Phase II**

The council's most consequential action centered on the Downtown Playground Phase II project, which drew two separate approvals. The downtown playground, a fixture of Woodstock's City Center corridor and a draw for families visiting the Main Street area, has long been eyed for expansion to add play features and improve access from multiple entry points.

First, the council passed a budget amendment accelerating the project by drawing on SPLOST VII reserves rather than waiting for a future fiscal year. Immediately after, the council approved an agreement with Earth Elements NM, LLC to handle engineering, design and construction management for the expansion. Parks and Recreation Director Brian Borden presented both items.

City Manager Jeff Moon offered additional context during the Parks and Recreation presentation, clarifying that the Phase II work is already fully funded within the SPLOST VII budget, meaning no new tax dollars are being committed. SPLOST, or Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, is a one-cent sales tax Cherokee County voters have repeatedly approved to fund capital projects without raising property taxes.

The council also approved a third agreement with Earth Elements NM, LLC, this one for the development of a master plan for Johnston Farm Park, along with a related $33,500 budget amendment. Johnston Farm, one of Woodstock's larger undeveloped park holdings, has been the subject of community interest for years as the city works to expand recreational options beyond its dense downtown core. Moon explained that roughly $8 million originally set aside for other parks and recreation purposes is now available for redirection following the passage of the Parks Bond, making those dollars the appropriate funding source for the master plan effort. Mayor Michael Caldwell said he was excited about both the playground and Johnston Farm projects.

**Goshen Lane Extension Moves Forward**

On the infrastructure front, the council approved a development agreement with Beers Construction Partners, Inc. for construction of the Goshen Lane extension south of Dupree Road. The city owns the parcel where the roadway segment is planned, and Beers, which holds a previously approved five-unit townhome development adjacent to the site, will construct the road in conjunction with that project. Capital Improvement Plan Administrator Chris Luly presented the item.

The arrangement is a practical example of how Woodstock has pursued its Grid Street Plan: leveraging private development activity to build out a connected street network without shouldering the full construction cost alone. For residents and commuters, a more complete grid means fewer dead ends and better circulation through the city's growing core.

Tied to the Goshen Lane deal, the council also approved a one-year extension of the Conditional Use Permit for the five-townhome development at 119 Dupree Road, pushing the deadline to March 9, 2027. Community Development Director Melissa Sigmund presented the item, noting that the time required to negotiate the development agreement, along with a potentially extended construction timeline, justified giving the developer additional runway before pulling building permits.

**Consent Agenda: Events, Repairs and a New Business**

The council dispatched the full consent agenda in a single 5-0 vote, clearing a range of items that touch daily life in Woodstock.

An alcohol license was approved for Sushi Bros, operating as Ding Teng, Inc., at 10029 Highway 92, Suite 180, for on-premise consumption with Sunday sales of malt beverages and wine. Hui Qin Chen is listed as owner, with Yan Chen as registered agent.

Looking ahead to summer, the council approved a fireworks display agreement with Pyro Productions, Inc. for the city's July 4, 2026 celebration and a master services agreement with Titan Global Enterprises for security during the 2026 event season, routine but essential contracts that underpin Woodstock's reputation as one of Cherokee County's premier destinations for community events.

The consent agenda also included approval of emergency repairs at the city's wastewater treatment plant, repurposing funds from a UV disinfection project to cover the purchase of three Flyght submersible mixers, a UBI 6024 two-lobe blower replacement and membrane cleaning and maintenance. Staff flagged the work as urgent to prevent further equipment damage, the kind of behind-the-scenes infrastructure investment that rarely draws headlines but keeps essential services running.

Also cleared on consent: a change of nonconforming use for Suite 160 at 105 Smokehill Lane, where ARS, Inc., represented by applicant Stacey Yancy, will operate an emergency remediation and restoration business. The suite previously housed a nonconforming book wholesale business. Staff recommended approval, noting the building was constructed with loading dock doors and high ceilings consistent with warehouse-style operations.

Rounding out the consent agenda, the council approved the surplus and disposal of four Police Department vehicles through a local auction and waived a public input meeting for Paragon Accounting & Tax Solutions, which plans to seek a variance for angled parking in front of its future location at 9026 Main Street.

**Ceremony, Community and Public Comment**

Before the business portion of the meeting, Mayor Caldwell presented a proclamation to the Girl Scouts, who also led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. Rector Tyler Kerley from Resurrection Anglican Church delivered the invocation.

Caldwell also honored Fire Battalion Chief Shane Tetterton as part of the city's annual Arbor Day Celebration, recognizing Tetterton's 30 years of service to Woodstock. Tetterton received a wind chime, an appreciation letter from the mayor and city manager, and a certificate noting the location and description of a tree planted in his name, a tradition that puts down roots, literally, in recognition of long careers spent serving the community.

Communications and Marketing Manager Stacy Brown announced two upcoming downtown events: the Woodstock Shamrock Crawl on Saturday, March 14, from 2 to 6 p.m., and the Spring Sip and Shop on Thursday, March 26, from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets for the Spring Sip and Shop are $10, available at the Woodstock Visitors Center or online at visitwoodstockga.com.

During the public comment period, Martha Jean Schindler was the sole registered speaker. She addressed the council with concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

The council approved the Feb. 23, 2026, meeting minutes on a 3-1-2 vote, with Council Members David Potts and Brian Wolfe abstaining and Mayor Pro Tem Ake absent.

Following staff and council comments, City Manager Moon requested an executive session on personnel, litigation or real estate matters, noting in advance that no action would be taken following the closed session. The council retreated into and returned from executive session before adjourning unanimously.