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James Burgess for Ashburn City Council

Sec. 80-70Procedure for consideration of and action on applications

Last changed 2000
Plain English: what this chapter covers

This chapter sets the rules for companies that want to run cable TV or telephone/telecom lines along Ashburn's streets and rights-of-way. It covers how a company applies for a franchise, what the city looks at before saying yes, and the fees involved. It also sets the 5% franchise fee the city collects from cable and video companies that hold a Georgia state franchise. Most of it matters to companies, not households, but it shapes who can offer service in town.

(a) The city may make such investigations and take or authorize the taking of such other steps as the city council deems necessary or appropriate to consider and act on applications for or revocable licenses under this article, and may require the applicant to furnish additional information and data for this purpose. In considering applications, the city council may seek advice from other city officials or bodies, from such other advisory bodies as it may establish or determine appropriate, or from the public, and may request the preparation of one or more reports to be submitted to the city council, which may include recommendations with respect to such applications.

(b) After considering such information as it determines to be appropriate, the city council shall set one or more public hearings for consideration of the application, fixing and setting forth a day, hour, and place certain when and where any persons having any interest therein or objections thereto may file written comments and appear before the city council and be heard, and providing notice of such public hearing in accordance with applicable law.

(c) The city council may authorize negotiations between city officials and applicants on the terms of the proposed or revocable license.

(d) Upon completion of the steps deemed appropriate by the city council, the city council shall consider the application for a or revocable license to provide telecommunications services in accordance with this article and applicable law, including 47 USC 253, and shall grant the franchise or revocable license, provided that the applicant has agreed to the terms on which the franchise or revocable license is to be granted and meets the evaluation criteria set forth in section 80-69. The city also reserves the right to waive any or all requirements when it determines that the best interests of the city may be served thereby or that such waiver is required by applicable law.

(e) Upon completion of the steps deemed appropriate by the city council, the city council may grant the revocable license to provide private telecommunications services and may specify the conditions under which the revocable license is granted. Alternatively, the city may reject any and all applications for a revocable license to provide private telecommunications services. The city also reserves the right to waive any or all requirements when it determines that the best interests of the city may be served thereby.

History: (Ord. No. 00-07, § 2.6, 12-5-2000)

This is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. The official code is on Municode and at City Hall. Our copy is from April 30, 2026.

Online: https://jamesburgessleads.com/city-code/PTIICOOR_CH80TE_ARTIIITESEFR_S80-70PRCOACAP

Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH80TE_ARTIIITESEFR_S80-70PRCOACAP

Paid for by James Burgess

Paid for by James Burgess