Cherokee Tribune
04/03/2009
Ashley Fuller
Housing activity in Cherokee County jumped for the second straight month in March.

There were 62 single-family housing permits issued in the county last month, up from 35 issued in February but down from 123 issued in March last year.

So far this year, there have been 131 single-family housing permits issued throughout the county, down from 324 permits issued at this time last year.

Mike Shina, president of the Cherokee chapter of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, said builders are “sure hoping” they have seen the bottom of the market.

“There is no inventory left,” he said about the need to put up new homes. “I feel like things may have stabilized.”

The county building department, which serves unincorporated Cherokee and the city of Waleska, issued 21 permits last month, up from 14 in February but down from 58 issued in March last year.

This year, the county has issued 53 single-family permits, down from 184 issued at this time last year.

Woodstock issued 14 single-family permits last month, an increase from eight in February but down slightly from 16 in March last year.

Mayor Donnie Henriques said the city expects the trend to continue this month.

“Locally, I think it is a sign that things are getting better,” he said. “It may take a while to get back to normal but it sure is a good sign.”

So far this year, the city has issued 27 permits, a little off the pace of 29 issued at this time last year.

Canton did not issue any single-family permits in March. There was one permit issued in February and 25 issued in March last year. This year, the city has issued six single-family permits, down from 41 issued at this time last year.

Holly Springs had 16 single-family permits in March, up from 12 issued in February and down from 22 issued in March of last year.

So far this year, the city has given out 34 single-family permits, down from 64 issued at this time lat year.

Ball Ground jumped from no permits issued in January or February to 11 permits in March. The city issued two permits in March last year and six permits through March last year.

Despite the jump, City Manager Eric Wilmarth said he expects the market in Ball Ground to stay slow.

“I don’t expect to issue any more for the next two to three months,” he said. “The little shot in the arm was great, but it is not anything we see holding.”

Nelson has not issued any single-family permits in the county this year. It had not issued any at this point last year.