Cherokee Tribune
By Ashley Fuller
09/05/2008
 

New home construction in Cherokee County saw a slight surge in August after dropping for four straight months.
Despite last month’s increase, the pace of new home construction continues to lag well behind last year’s pace.

There were 82 single-family housing permits issued in the county last month, up from 68 in July but down from 211 in August of last year.

So far this year, there have been 749 single-family permits issued in Cherokee, a steep drop from the 1,827 permits issued at this time last year.

Mike Shina, president of the Cherokee chapter of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, said there would continue to be some fluctuation while the number of new houses remains low.

He said he expects the numbers gradually will climb after the presidential election in November.

“Next spring will be stronger than this spring,” he said.

The county building department, which covers the unincorporated parts of Cherokee as well as the city of Waleska, issued 52 single-family housing permits in August, up from 26 in July and down from 109 in August of last year.

County Commissioner Derek Good said he thinks the beginning of a turnaround is starting to happen, “but there won’t be any significant changes until after the first of the year.”

“There are a lot of good, positive things going on in the economy,” he said.

So far this year, the county office has issued 413 permits, down significantly from 943 issued through August last year.

Canton issued 11 single-family permits, the same amount it issued in July and down from 54 issued in August of last year.

This year so far, the city has 98 permits, a drop from 417 issued at this time last year.

Woodstock issued eight single-family permits last month, down from 18 issued in July and 15 issued in August of last year. The city has issued 91 single-family permits so far this year, down from 195 issued at this time last year.

Despite the drop in permits last month, Mayor Donnie Henriques said he remains optimistic about the outlook for Woodstock.

“We still hear encouraging words out there,” he said. “We’ve got some things happening in downtown. I am not concerned at all.”

Holly Springs issued 10 permits last month, down slightly from 11 issued in July and down from 30 in August of last year. So far this year, the city has issued 125 permits, down from 261 issued at this time last year.

Ball Ground had one single-family housing permit in August, down from two issued in July and three issued in August of last year. The city has issued 22 permits so far this year, down from 27 issued at this time last year.

Nelson has not issued a permit in the county so far this year, nor did it issues any last year.
afuller@cherokeetribune.com