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Every article, meeting preview and report we have published, newest first.
Board extends sketch plat moratorium to May 4, 2027, pauses CBD grocer permits and picks Mendy Moore as 2027 chair
The Forsyth County commission on November 5 extended its moratorium on sketch plats and land disturbance permits for older residential zonings, approved a moratorium through December 4 on new grocer applications on CBD-zoned land, elected Mendy Moore chair for 2027, approved five land-use requests and withdrew or postponed seven others.
Army Corps to release more water from Buford Dam as drought pulls Lake Lanier down
Lanier stood at 1,062.38 feet on Nov. 11, more than 8½ feet below summer full pool. The whole county's drinking water comes through one intake whose pipe sits at 1,020 feet.
Forsyth County pauses new grocery store permits on CBD-zoned land until Dec. 4
Commissioners voted 4-1 on Nov. 5 for a short moratorium while they consider requiring a conditional use permit for grocers in older strip centers. Parking, cart corrals and dumpsters drove the discussion.
Forsyth's peak week for deer on the roads is Nov. 10-16
Georgia's rut map, built from deer-vehicle crash data, puts Forsyth County's peak deer movement this week. Dusk now falls around the evening commute. Parks around Buford Dam are closed through Nov. 12 for a deer hunt.
What the Forsyth County commission will take up at its Nov. 10 work session
On Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM at 110 East Main Street, Suite 220 in Cumming, the board will consider a deadline for short-term rentals operating under a claim of nonconforming status, a $5,769,879.00 change order for the Antioch Water Treatment Plant's backup generator, and two land-use items in District 1.
The Nov. 7 household hazardous waste drop-off is full. Here's where some of it can still go.
Registration is required and every slot is taken. County recycling centers take paint, batteries, electronics and motor oil, some for a fee.
What the Forsyth County commission will take up on Nov. 5
On Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM at 110 East Main Street, Suite 220 in Cumming, the board will hold a public hearing on extending its moratorium on sketch plats and land disturbance permits, will discuss a possible new moratorium and a clinic zoning change, and has several zoning cases on the agenda.
The Fowler Park entrance to the Big Creek Greenway is closed. The trail past it opens on weekends.
Crews began replacing the boardwalk at the Fowler Park Trailhead on Oct. 26, and the county expects the trailhead to stay closed through the end of the year.
The board postponed all three rezoning reviews and asked staff for a mass-grading rule
The Forsyth County commission postponed three Board-generated rezoning reviews on October 20, sent a zoning-buffer change to the public hearing process, approved 26 items including Old Atlanta Road contracts, and asked staff for mass-grading code revisions.
A warehouse with no tenant yet is going up on Ronald Reagan Boulevard
The county rezoned the 7.93-acre site for industrial use a year ago. The building permit was issued Oct. 2, and the leasing listing says the space will be ready Feb. 1, 2027.
Forsyth County extends its freeze on sketch plats and land disturbance permits to May 4, 2027
It covers residential land zoned before April 13, 2017. The Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 on Nov. 5 to extend it a third time.
Forsyth County eliminated the South Forsyth precinct. Here's where its voters go on Nov. 3.
About 5,700 registered voters have a new Election Day polling place this year, the county estimates. Advance voting is open through Oct. 30.
Board extends residential rezoning moratorium to April 13, 2027; 11 hearings and cases postponed
The Forsyth County commission approved a 180-day extension of its moratorium on residential rezoning applications on October 15, held an informational hearing on the 2027 comprehensive plan update, approved seven zoning cases and postponed 11 hearings and cases.
What the Forsyth County commission will take up on Oct. 20
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM at 110 East Main Street in Cumming, the board will consider Old Atlanta Road widening contracts, three possible board-generated rezonings and a Planning Commission recommendation on zoning buffers.
What the Forsyth County commission will take up on Oct. 15
On Oct. 15, the county commission will hold public hearings on extending its residential rezoning moratorium, the 2027 comprehensive plan update and several zoning cases.
The county's water director says a full-plant ozone system is in design. Here's what the county's records show about it.
Levels are still high and treated water sometimes stays above the taste level, the county's water director said. The county is designing a bigger ozone system, with no date or price given. The county's own records show the second intake is a 2031 project and the taste line in the capital plan is funded for 2029–2030.
The board approved 16 of 18 work-session items, postponed one rezoning and withdrew another
The board approved or authorized 16 of 18 work-session items, postponed one rezoning and withdrew another.
Board approves a landscape variance and code changes, postpones three hearings
The Forsyth County commission adopted the agenda as amended, approved a landscape-strip alternate design and Unified Development Code amendments, postponed three public hearings, and denied a request for a new zoning-appeal hearing on October 1.
Delayed rezonings, road funding and condemnation of two sidewalk parcels
On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM at 110 East Main Street, Suite 220, Cumming, the board will take up delayed rezoning matters, time-sensitive road funding and resolutions to condemn property interests for a sidewalk project.
What the Forsyth County commission will take up on October 1
On October 1, the board will hold five public hearings on parcel requests and code amendments, and consider a request to appeal a denied pool variance.
Chick-fil-A opens Oct. 1 at Bethelview and Castleberry. Here's what else is coming to Southard Exchange.
The new Chick-fil-A opened Oct. 1; 7 Brew, Maepole and Fifth Third Bank are planned along the development's new internal road.
Forsyth's tap water tastes earthy. The county says it's safe — here's why it still tastes that way
Forsyth County says its tap water is safe to drink. Sept. 1 samples explain why some customers can still taste earthy MIB after treatment.
What the Forsyth County commission did on Sept. 22
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved several major projects, postponed a rezoning, directed follow-up work on planning issues, and took additional action after executive session.
What the Forsyth County commission will take up on Sept. 22
On September 22, the board will consider a time-sensitive road-maintenance agreement, land-use questions and several large capital and transportation commitments.
Forsyth County's first Whole Foods is a bet on south Forsyth's numbers
Forsyth County's first Whole Foods is taking shape at Fuqua Development's Forsyth Town Center, and the developer has told a Cumming land brokerage it opens in February 2027. Swig and Dave's Hot Chicken are planned for the center too.
Why black bear sightings happen in Forsyth County: What residents should do
Most bears seen in Forsyth are likely passing through. Here’s why they appear, what attracts them and when to call for help.
Forsyth County plans tennis and pickleball court improvements at three parks
Four new tennis courts are planned at Sawnee Mountain Park, while courts at Matt Community Park and Coal Mountain Park are scheduled for resurfacing. The county says some disruption is expected, but construction dates, costs, and closure schedules have not yet been published.
Friends Cumming Grill receives U grade in Aug. 4 health inspection
Friends Cumming Grill received a U grade with a score of 42 in an Aug. 4 routine inspection. The public report lists violations involving food protection, temperatures, sanitation, facility maintenance and pest control, and says the facility voluntarily closed pending compliance and reinspection.