Cumming group honors student of the year ► PAGE 4 M a r c h 2 0 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 9 , N o . 1 2
Firm seeks city zoning for apartment project By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
MONICA LEAMY/PROVIDED
No Doubt tribute band Subliminal Doubt performs at The Cumming City Center on March 15 for the St. Paddy’s Day Rock Fest.
‘Sea of green’ fills city center for St. Patrick’s celebration By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — When headliner members of Subliminal Doubt took the stage March 15 at the St. Paddy’s Day Rock Fest at The Cumming City Center, they were shocked. “It was just like a sea of green shirts,” frontwoman Monica Leamy said. “We thought we were going to play for nobody, but the city turned out.” Leamy, whose stage name is “Fake Gwen,” sings and performs in the style of Gwen Stefani for the No Doubt tribute band. The St. Patrick’s Day concert attracted hundreds of locals and visitors. Crowds turned out to ring in the holiday at the
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third annual St. Paddy’s Day Rock Fest at The Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road. Despite some stormy weather, about 3,000 visitors attended to listen to live music performances and drink green beer and other Irish beverages. The day’s lineup included 90s alternative tribute band Wicked Garden, hard rock group Pushing Daisies and headliner Subliminal Doubt. Hosted by The Cumming City Center and sports bar and live music venue The Well, the festival was an opportunity for residents to gather and celebrate community and music together, said Jennifer Archer, property manager for The Cumming City Center.
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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Cumming’s less restrictive zoning regulations are creating a haven for affordable housing amid a county where high rents and property values are pushing out many renters. At a March 11 work session, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved an apartment’s annexation into Cumming. Owner Hoff Homes is seeking an annexation into Cumming for Hutchinson Place Apartments, 3300 Hutchinson Road, and an adjacent 0.44 acres to add six units. Currently on county land, the two-story, standalone 20-unit apartment offers rents between $1,200 and $1,400 per month. Apartments at that price point can be hard to find in the county. Forsyth County renters pay an average of $2,181 per month, compared to a state average of $1,970, according to Zillow. Cumming Mayor Troy Brumbalow said the City Council will consider the annexation after the Planning and Zoning Commission makes a recommendation. “The lack of affordable housing is a problem nationwide and our community is no exception,” Brumbalow said. About 15% of the county’s residents rent their homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Statewide, about 35% of residents are renters, according to USA Facts.
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FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED
Hutchinson Place Apartments, 3300 Hutchinson Road, features 20 units with rents between $1,200 and $1,400 per month.
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