Update 2021-12-12: Packet: Four big + 2 small county rezonings, four Valdosta rezonings, 3 of them CUP @ GLPC 2021-11-29.

The Greater Lowndes Planning Commission unanimously recommended denial of rezoning for a rezoning on Miller Bridge Road, outside any appropriate character area, but one of them frequently suggested trying 2.5-acre lots instead of 1-acre lots.

Another subdivision, on Rocky Ford Road, which was opposed by the Development Authority, got a split recommendation for denial, with that same Commissioner abstaining.

All the other items got unanimous approval.

One of the rezonings was actually to agricultural so the owner can farm it.

Two rezonings recommended against

The owners spoke for REZ-2021-28 on Miller Bridge Road, with the usual insistence that everybody wants to live in the north part of the county and you just can’t stop growth and sprawl.

Owners, for REZ-2021-28, Miller Bridge Road

Attorney Brad Folsom spoke against, representing three hundred people who signed a petition.

Brad Folsom for 300 signatories, against REZ-2021-28, Miller Bridge Road

Gretchen Quarterman spoke against, on behalf of WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc., because the entire site is in an aquifer recharge zone.

Gretchen Quarterman for WWALS, against REZ-2021-28, Miller Bridge Road

According to VALORGIS, the entire subject property is in a recharge zone for the aquifer from which we all drink.

VALORGIS aquifer recharge zone, Miller Bridge Road

David Adams spoke against, discussing water control measures on the property arcoss the road that backs up onto the Little River.

David Adams, against REZ-2021-28, Miller Bridge Road

Upon request, almost the entire room raised hands in opposition.

Hands against REZ-2021-28, Miller Bridge Road

The Planning Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend denial, on a motion from the aforementioned Commissioner Franklin Bailey, after he said he would be much more comfortable with 2.5-acre lots.

Be aware the Lowndes County Commission can, when it meets on December 14th, change the lot size to 2.5 acres and approve, or, for that matter, it can approve 1-acre lots.

Below are links to each LAKE video with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist. See also the agenda. When we get the board packet in response to our LAKE open records request, we will post that, too.

• 1. Call to Order, Pledge, Invocation
  

  Video.

  Audio in this room is horrible and the room was packed.

• 1. Call to Order / Welcom
  

  Video.

  GLPC Chair Vicki Rountree was not present so vice chair Ed Hightower ran the meeting.

• 2. Approval of Oct 25, 2021 minutes
  

  Video.

• Welcome new (returning) member Robert Jefferson
  

  Video.

• 3. VA-2021-18 Tru North Companies 2320 North Patterson
  

  Video.

  Across from the hospital. Proposed apartments. Approved unanimously.

• 4. CU-2021-06 Serenity Springs 2717 Windemere Drive CUP for Personal Use Facility
  

  Video.

  The applicant gave details and testimony about the therapy spa she is proposing.

  Approved unanimously

• 5. CU-2021-07 Panache Salon and Spa 2310 Bemis Road
  

  Video.

  Currently an accountants office (tax prep) but wants to rent one room in the building to a hairdresser. Apparently hairdressers and accountants have different zoning and parking restrictions.

  Approved unanimously.

• 6. CU-2021-08 Courlley LLC 218 West Hill CUP for high density multi family
  

  Video.

  Proposal is to convert the former motel on West Hill to efficiency apartments for long term rental in the down town area.

  Approved unanimously.

• 7. REZ 2021-25 Etheridge, Parker Rd 5.6ac EA to RA
  

  Video.

  This is for a family division.

  Approved unanimously.

• 8. REZ-2021-26 Ridgecrest at Rocky Ford 37+/-ac M2 to R10
  

  Video.

  Property currently zoned for manufacturing but not used for such. There was discussion about buffering and noise. It is near current Arglass plant which is noisy. Development Authority sent comments against rezoning, saying that the county needs to keep existing properties that are already zoned for manufacturing, even if not currently used.

  Motion was to recommend denial.

  Vote was 6-3-1: Franklin Bailey abstained

• 9. REZ-2021-27 Charles Flythe Val Tech Road CH to R1
  

  Video.

  Apparently this property has been in the same family for 60+ years and was rezoned during the great realignment in the early 2000’s. They now want to put another family home on the property and that’s not allowed in CH so they are down-zoning to R-1.

  Recommend approval – unanimous.

• 10. REZ-2021-28 Windy Hill 7532 Miller Bridge Rd EA to R1
  

  Video. This was the main event for the evening. Developer wants to build on 20 lots. Concerns about aquifer recharge rezone area. This density is inconsistent with the comprehensive plan.

  Owner and Developer spoke for the development.

  Brad Folsom was representing 300 signatories from the area who are against the rezoning.

  Franklin Bailey outright said that he could support it at 2.5 acres but not at 1.

  Vote was unanimous to deny.

• 10.a. exodus after main event
  

  Video.

• 11. REZ 2021-29 LR83LLC 5716 Race Track Road 3.6 acres RA to R1
  

  Video.

• 12. REZ-2021-30 Interstate Land Management 1929 Seminole Dr R1 to RA
  

  Video.

  Another down zoning so that someone could farm.

  Recommend approval – unanimous.

• Other Business / Adjournment
  

  Video.

  Apparently some attendees didn’t look at the agenda and didn’t know that the meeting wasn’t yet over.

Here’s a LAKE video playlist:

An inappropriate rezoning unanimously opposed, but beware return with different acreage @ GLPC 2021-11-29
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia.
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE),

-jsq

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