The city council has directed Dawsonville’s engineer to provide a cost estimate for conducting a parking study of the historic downtown area.

The study could help the city decide where to put a downtown parking and commons area, which has been discussed for several weeks.

In addition, the council’s 3-0 vote at a special called meeting last week “delegated authority to the mayor to move forward with it ... if he deems it reasonable,” said City Attorney Dana Miles.

Councilman Calvin Byrd was absent from the meeting.

Clouding the matter is the city’s possible condemnation of two lots at Shoal Creek Road and Hwy. 9, which are currently being leased to the county for courthouse parking.

The condemnation has not been finalized, and the property owner has asked the city council to explore other options.

Citing community feedback, city officials have said more parking and a commons area are needed downtown.

Property owner Jeffery Coe of Marietta and former property owner K.K. Turner of Dawsonville have met with city officials.

Turner has said the parties were “trying to work something out.”

On Jan. 18, the council voted 4-0 to offer Coe an appraised amount for the lots, which the county leases for parking but won’t need after the new courthouse opens in the fall.

Municipalities may use the power of eminent domain to transfer property to the government for public use.