Update 2022-02-06: Board’s Pleasure should be Deny: Miller Bridge Road rezoning @ LCC 2022-02-07.

Everything else sailed through, but the Miller Bridge Road rezoning took half an hour.

Nick Clark from Quitman spoke for the rezoning. As Brad Folsom remarked on behalf of the opponents, the only significant difference between this and the previous request is the lot size, with the newly requested R-A zoning for 6. REZ-2022-03 Windy Hill Subdivision 7532 Miller Bridge Rd., E-A to R-A.

6. REZ-2022-03 Windy Hill Subdivision, 7532 Miller Bridge Rd., 0010 022, ~34 ac., E-A to R-A.

Some new arguments were heard against. Gretchen Quarterman said the taxpayers don’t need any more community wells that the county has to assume and pay for if there are problems with it. Chase Gregory said the current zoning is working well. People do buy larger size parcels (4-80 acres); he gave several examples.

Tommy Kenny, spoke against as immediate neighbor to north and active local farmer.

The Planning Commissioners voted to recommend denial, 8 for, and 3 against.

The Lowndes County Commission decides next Tuesday at 5:30 PM.

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with some notes, followed by a LAKE video playlist. See also the agenda, the Lowndes County board packet items, returned late by Lowndes County in response to a LAKE open records request, the Dasher packet item, returned in less than ten minutes by SGRC.

• 1. Call to Order, Pledge, and Invocation
  

  Video.

• 2. Approval of the Meeting Minutes November 29, 2021
  

  Video.

• 1. Call to Order (how the meeting will be conducted)
  

  Video.

  Chair Vicky Biles said because many people were present to speak about one case in particular (Miller Bridge Road), she was extending the ten-minute limit on speakers per side.

  
  Owner asked to table, but proceeding anyway

• 3. DA-21-1, Jason Wisenbaker, U.S. Hwy. 41 S. & Ben Lyn Road A-U to R-1
  

  Video.

  Family estate to sell family home. SGRC planners recommend approval. Nobody spoke for or against.

  Approved unanimously.

• 4. REZ-2022-01 Hamilton Green Townhomes, Bemiss Rd. PD Amendment
  

  Video.

  Same number of units as in original PD. Units will be sold. Not clear if they will be sold individually, in building units, or the entire complex. Nobody spoke against.

  Approved unanimously.

• 5. REZ-2022-02 Justin Warren, 4128 Johnson Rd., 1.97 ac., R-1 to R-21
  

  Video.

  Rezoning to come into compliance with ULDC because of ROW acquisition. Nobody spoke against.

  Approved unanimously.

• 6. REZ-2022-03 Windy Hill Subdivision 7532 Miller Bridge Rd., E-A to R-A
  

  Video.

  Back again. Owner asked for item to be tabled because of COVID. Commission went ahead and heard the case.

  
  County Planner JD Dillard

  
  Steve Miller: Lot size

  
  Franklin Bailey: Lot size

  Nick Clark from Quitman spoke on behalf of the owner/developer.

  
  For: Nick Clark from Quitman

  Brad Folsom spoke against on behalf of over 300 land owners.

  
  Against: Brad Folsom and a sea of hands

  Gretchen Quarterman spoke against because of proposed community well.

  
  Against: Gretchen Quarterman about community wells

  Chase Gregory 7478 Webb Road, spoke against — current zoning working well. People do buy larger size parcels (4-80 acres) and gave several examples.

  
  Against: Chase Gregory about water drainage onto his property

  Tommy Kenny, 7654 Miller Bridge Road, spoke against as immediate neighbor to north and active local farmer.

  
  Against: Thomas Kenny, adjoining property

  
  Franklin Bailey says Character Areas are just a tool

  Tommy Willis made a motion to deny. Chip Wiles made the second.

  
  Tommy Willis and Steve Miller

  Split vote (8-3) with Franklin Bailey, Ed Hightower, and Steve Miller voting against the motion to deny.

  
  Votes to deny: 8

  
  Votes to approve: 3; Steve Miller, Franklin Bailey, Ed Hightower

• Meeting Adjournment
  

  Video.

  Chair Vicky Biles reminded the audience that the Miller Bridge Road subdivision rezoning would be decided by the Lowndes County Commission at 5:30 PM, Tuesday, February 8, 2022.

Here’s a LAKE video playlist:

Recommend deny 8:3, Miller Bridge Road Subdivision @ GLPC 2022-01-31
Greater Lowndes Planning Comission Regular Session, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE).

-jsq

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