The big news is that Lowndes County Planner Jason Davenport is leaving his position at the county for another opportunity.

GLPC welcomed its new member, Calvin Graham, Sr., who only said “Thank you,” to replace Celine Gladwin, who declined to be reappointed. See previous post for some background.

The one case, CU-2018-05 LifeSouth3. Community Blood Centers – 301 Woodrow Wilson, was presented by City Planner Matt Martin, and after three times addressing one question, sailed through.

Here are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes, followed by a LAKE video playlist. See also the agenda.

• 1. Call to Order, invocation, Pledge

  Video.

• 2. Welcome New Member 3. Minutes for Approval

  Video.

• CU-2018-05 LifeSouth3. Community Blood Centers – 301 Woodrow Wilson

  Video. The Chairman said “last week” there was a question, which Martin clarified as donations vs. purchase of blood plasma, saying the applicant could address that better, and GLPC could add it to conditions if it wanted to. Parking was briefly discussed, but they have more than enough per code.

  The applicant spoke for, saying it was a donor-only center, with very low traffic, 3-4 people a day, plus administrative offices. The concern about donations vs. purchase was because, as Commissioner Hall said, purchases draw more traffic.

  Susan Henley spoke against, spelling it out more. “The one that’s down town, it’s nasty” as in she seemed to think paying for blood attracts unsavory payees. The Chairman said that had already been addressed, and thanked her for coming forward.

  Commissioner Hall said “we’ve been burned several times” and wanted to know if the applicant would have to come before the board if they decided to pay for blood. Martin said they would not, but he did not see how a facility for that would fit into this building.

  Somebody for the applicant clarified that “we are not a plasma center… we do not collect that way; we are not licensed that way; we have no intention ever to do that.” He said plasma paid for could not go to human beings, only for things like pharmaceutical testing. His bottom line was his business could not change to pay for plasma.

  Unanimous vote to recommend with conditions as explained by staff.

• 4.Other Business and Meeting Adjournment

  Video. He will be missed. He is taking a full-time position at his church (as a liturgical director). The county will be holding a reception for him 3-5PM Tuesday, August 7, 2018 (his last day), at the multi-purpose room next to the County Commission Chambers, second floor, 327 North Ashley Street, Valdosta, GA. How planning will be handled by the county is not currently known. There was a motion for GLPC to draft a motion of appreciation to pass to the county; it passed unanimously.

Here’s a LAKE video playlist:

Videos: New Member and blood bank
Regular Session, Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC),
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 30 July 2018.

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