Name of Observer: Sara Tarr
Meeting Summary
Issue: Regulating Commercial Development
Debate:
A Timnath citizen group, Guide Our Growth, collected enough signatures to force a special election to determine whether nets and fences higher than 65 feet will be permitted in the community. The vote will potentially restrict the construction of a Topgolf business, which typically builds golfing facilities surrounded by 156-foot nets. At the April 25 Town Council meeting, two Timnath residents expressed both supportive and non-supportive perspectives during the Public Comment part of the meeting agenda.
Town clerk Milissa Peters-Garcia reported that she received over 1,100 signatures, many more than the 651 verified petition signatures necessary to trigger a special election. The mailbox election is expected to cost between $25.000 and $30,000.
Timnath is a Home Rule community. As such it operates under a Charter written by local citizens elected to a Charter Commission. Any changes to that Charter requires voting by registered voters.
Outcome: During the meeting, the Town Council revised then approved the ballot language. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters between June 5 and June 12. Completed ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on June 27.
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