Last month at the Lowndes County Commission, the Hunter rezoning acreage was finally resolved, the rejected Beasley rezoning came back in Citizens Wishing to Be Heard, and the Alapaha Plantation water filtration system still doesn’t work after a year.

Hunter, Insurance, CWTBH

Even the property owners didn’t know whether 6.a. REZ-2022-13 Hunter Property was for rezoning 2 or 7 acres. Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker resolved the issue by moving to rezone just the 2-acre tract, which the Commissioners unanimously approved.

After a year, the Alapaha Plantation nanofiltration water system still isn’t working, and Utilities is returning the unit before cleaning the wells and deciding what to do next. Yet another reason why the county should not be running water systems for private subdivisions.

John Hogan was reappointed to ZBOA and Dr. Elveta Miller was reappointed to the Library Board.

Several Citizens Wishing to Be Heard spoke about the Beasley rezoning REZ-2022-14, which was rejected in the previous Regular Session.

One elderly couple wanted not to pay school tax; that would be a question for the school board.

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item with a few notes, followed by a LAKE video playlist. See also the agenda and board packet, the LAKE videos of the previous morning’s Work Session, and the Minutes.

• 1. Call to Order 2. Invocation 3. Pledge
  

  Video.

• Recognition of Leadership Lowndes
  

  Video.

• 4. Minutes for Approval
  

  Video.

• 5.a. Valdosta-Lowndes County Zoning Board of Appeals
  

  Video.

  John Hogan reappointed to ZBOA.

• 5.b. South Georgia Regional Library Board
  

  Video.

  Dr. Elveta Miller reappointed to Library Board.

• 6.a. REZ-2022-13 Hunter Property, Madison Hwy, E-A to C-C, ~7ac
  

  Video.

  Lewis Hunter, one of the owners of the property, spoke for, saying they separated 2 acres for commercial, but asked for rezoning for 7 acres. He said even he was not sure whether the rezoning was for the 2 or the 7 acres, and he would like that resolved.

  Mark Wisenbaker said Tract A is the 5.11 acres and Tract B is 2 acres. County Planner JD Dillard said those were the two tracts, although they had not yet been subdivided, but if approved, they would do so. Wisenbaker moved to rezone the 2-acre Tract B. Seconded I think by Joyce Evans. All aye.

  So the final answer is two (2) acres, even though the planner repeatedly said seven (7) acres.

• 7.a. Beer and Wine License – Solar Food #16 – 3119 Madison Hwy.
  

  Video.

• 7.b. ACCG IRMA Property \u0026 Liability Insurance Program Renewal
  

  Video.

• 8. Reports – County Mnager
  

  Video.

  First about pinning Fire Department, this time at the Conference Center, next time in the old Courthouse, and Sheriff Department preparation against active shooters.

  At 1:45 she asked Utilities Director Steve Stalvey to report on the nanofiltration system at Alapaha Plantation, which the Commission approved a year before

  
  8.b. Alapaha Plantation Water Treatment Pilot Study, 2021-08-10.
  Video, 2021-08-10.

  It still isn’t working, due to some issues with some contaminants and the contractor. So Plan B is to send the unit back, do some work on the wells, and then determine whether to bring that unit back or some other unit. As we remarked last year, this is a prime example of why the county should not be running well systems for private subdivisions.

  She then asked Megan Barwick to talk about public education and marketing. Ms. Barwick said at least seven stories had recently been featured on the front page of the VDT, as well as coverage by WALB and others, plus the ACCG newsletter. The four social media sites she manages are up 262% since last year. Rachel Dasher and she are working up a release on the Griner property.

  She asked 911 Director Danny Weeks to talk about the CALEA meeting he had just returned from, and the seventh CALEA accreditation.

• 9. CWTBH – Rebecca Beasley
  

  Video.

  According to the Minutes: Rebecca Beasley, 4813 Spring Brook Drive addressed the commission regarding rezoning case REZ-2022-14, which was denied at the previous Commission meeting. Mrs. Beasley believes all the information was not presented at the last meeting and she provided a survey to show what was already approved and what they want to have approved.

• 9. CWTBH – Benjamin Beasley
  

  Video.

  According to the Minutes: Benjamin Beasley, 4813 Spring Brook Drive addressed the commission regarding rezoning case REZ-2022-14, which was denied at the previous Commission meeting. Mr. Beasley does not believe that at their age, the great grandchildren are old enough to make decisions about the property, which is why they would appreciate the approval to rezone the property.

• 9. CWTBH – Ethel Floyd
  

  Video.

  According to the Minutes: Ethel Floyd, 4521 Golden Oaks Drive addressed the commission regarding rezoning case REZ-2022-14, which was denied at the previous Commission meeting.

• 9. CWTBH – Marcus Campbell Sr.
  

  Video.

  He actually didn’t have anything to say, and it seems that maybe he didn’t fill in the paper work himself. It wasn’t clear. All about the Beasley property rezoning that was previously denied.

  According to the Minutes: Marcus Campbell, 4386 River Road, approached the podium but did not make a comment.

• 9. CWTBH – Larry and Judy Chambliss
  

  Video.

  They want to stop paying school tax but didn’t know that they need to request this of the school board, not the county commission.

  According to the Minutes: Larry and Judy Chambless 4185 Addalyn Way addressed the Commission regarding lowering taxes for senior citizens. Chairman Slaughter stated he would speak to them after the meeting is adjourned.

• 10. Adjournment
  

  Video.

Here’s a LAKE video playlist:

Hunter rezoning, insurance, objections to rejection of Beasley rezoning @ LCC Regular 2022-07-26
Lowndes County Commission Regular Session, Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE).

-jsq

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