Cherokee County, Holly Springs Finalize Growth Bounary Agreement

Press release from Cherokee County:

Nov. 4, 2022

The first growth boundary agreement between the city of Holly Springs and Cherokee County since 2006 is in effect following the approval by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners.
A Growth Boundary Agreement is a document that defines and limits future growth for a city. While not legally binding, the city generally agrees to limit its annexations to areas inside the boundary, and the county generally agrees not to oppose annexations there. With the agreement in place, annexations must still meet all state law requirements.

“This agreement marks a new era of cooperation between Cherokee County and the city of Holly Springs, and now with all the cities of the county,” said Commission Chairman Harry Johnston. “Instead of battling over individual annexation and development decisions, we’re now all committed to work together to manage our overall growth in a way that keeps and continues to make Cherokee County the best place in the world to live!”

“I appreciate the leadership Chairman Harry Johnston has demonstrated in working with the City of Holly Springs to establish the growth boundary agreement. The adoption of this agreement reflects the relationship established between the elected officials of the city and the county and the willingness of each entity to work together for the betterment of our community,” said Holly Springs Mayor Steven W. Miller.

The Holly Springs Growth Boundary encompasses an area generally around the current city limits, more or less bound by Univeter Road, Highway 140, East Cherokee Drive, Hickory Road, Toonigh Road, Marble Quarry Road, the municipal boundaries of the cities of Canton and Woodstock, and the Little River. More specifically, abutting the City of Canton on the northwest side of Holly Springs, the growth boundary generally follows Univeter Road east to Highway 140 (Hickory Flat Highway). From there, the growth boundary travels in a southeasterly direction along Hickory Flat Highway to East Cherokee Drive. Running along East Cherokee Drive, the growth boundary travels south briefly and then heads west along Hickory Road to Toonigh Road. The growth boundary then follows Toonigh Road to Old Highway 5 (Holly Springs Parkway), thereafter traveling south to abut the Little River and the City of Woodstock. From there, the growth boundary heads west, inclusive of the I-575 and Sixes Road Interchange (Exit 11), before intersecting Marble Quarry Road and moving north to again border the City of Canton.

“The process of establishing a growth boundary agreement included a great deal of work by staff and elected officials from the county and city. I appreciate everyone who came to the table and worked to get this completed,” said County Manager Geoff Morton. “This is a great step to a fruitful working relationship between the county and the city of Holly Springs.”

“The growth boundary agreement is the result of years of hard work by the staff and elected officials from both the city and the county,” said City Manager Rob Logan. “We are pleased that the City of Holly Springs Mayor and Council and the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners have approved the agreement. We look forward to working with the county on many joint projects in the future and we are grateful for the relationships that we have built.”

The Board of Commissioners approved both the growth boundary agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding with the city. The Holly Springs City Council approved both items at its Oct. 17 meeting.

The Growth Boundary Agreement will be in effect until June 1, 2028, which coincides with the Service Delivery Strategy agreement with the city of Holly Springs.

This press release was produced by Cherokee County. The views expressed here are the author's own.