Update 2023-01-28: Videos: Dollar General Defeated, VLDA appointment, subdivision infrastructure, VOCA, server blades @ LCC Regular 2023-01-24.

The second-longest item at the Lowndes County Commission Work Session this morning was the proposed rezoning for a Dollar General at GA 122 and Skipper Bridge Road, slightly uphill from the Withlacoochee River. They vote tonight at 5:30 PM. You can still call your Commissioner or send email, or speak in the Public Hearing this evening.

The two subdivision infrastructure acceptances on or near Val Del Road remind us all of what happens when the county pushes development onto a road, as they did back in 2007 by running water and sewer to Nelson Hill on Val Del Road.

The longest item at almost three minutes was 7.c. Special Assessment Rate for 2023, which has to be set every year, even though it hasn’t been used in decades.

Collage @ LCC 23 January 2023

About the rezoning, County Planner JD Dillard said another letter opposing the rezoning had been received, from someone about three quarters of a mile north on Skipper Bridge, but he did not say who it was nor what they wrote.

For no apparent reason, he put up a map showing nearest distances to residences.

6.a. REZ-2022-20, Distances, GA 122 & Skipper Bridge

The problems with this rezoning affect the entire county’s tax base and people far away, including all the way down the Withlacoochee River. See: Please deny Dollar General rezoning, GA 122 @ Skipper Bridge Road –WWALS to Lowndes County 2023-01-23.

Also, drainage from the site goes under GA 122 onto the property to the south, then under Skipper Bridge Road onto the property to the east of that, affecting both landowners much closer than their residences. Ghis is in addition to trash and other pollution from the site washing into Poley Branch and the Withlacoochee River, affecting wildlife and potentially getting into groundwater used by water wells.

The County Planner also put up a rendering of an “Enhanced Facade” that he said Dollar General is offering. Which addresses none of the issues raised.

6.a. REZ-2022-20, Enhanced Facade, Dollar General

County planning staff still recommends approvel of the rezoning. The Planning Commission 7:1 recommended denial because they say it is spot zoning, which it is, in addition to all its other problems.

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist. See also the agenda and board packet.

• 1. Call to Order 4. MInutes for Approval
  

  Video.

  Yes, the beginning has no sound. They do eventually turn the audio on.

• Introduction of new attorney at county contracted law firm.
  

  Video.

  Hansell Watt from Thomasville. Has practiced most of his career in Valdosta apparently at Coleman Talley.

  Joined Elliott, Blackburn and Gooding law firm last week.

• 5.a. Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority
  

  Video.

  Brad Folsom seat and Mr. Folsom would like to be reappointed. He is currently the Chair of VLDA.

• 6.a. REZ-2022-20 Teramore Development, LLC, Hwy 122 \u0026 Skipper Bridge, E-A to C-C
  

  Video.

  Dollar General (again).

  Planning staff recommends for.

  Planning commission recommends against.

• 7.a. Adopt Resolution Accepting Infrastructure for The Landings Phase III
  

  Video.

  Everything is ready to go (no punch list).

• 7.b. Adopt Resolution Accepting Infrastructure for Ballantyne Subdivision
  

  Video.

  A small punch list. Plat will not be recorded until items are finished.

  Shocking how as soon as Clyattstone Road was paved that developments start springing up.

• 7.c. Special Assessment Rate for 2023
  

  Video.

  Prime rate plus 2% = 7.5 + 2 = 9.5 up from last year’s 5.25

  This Assessment rate hasn’t been used in 20+ years but needs to be set each year.

• 7.d. Approval of DA’s Federal VOCA Grant Application Renewal
  

  Video.

• 7.e. Replacement of Server Blades
  

  Video.

• 8. Reports – County Manager (and a request for executive seesion)
  

  Video.

  The County Manager requested an executive session for the discussion of real estate. They moved and voted to do that.

Here’s a LAKE video playlist:

Videos: new attorney, VLDA appointment, Dollar General rezoning, 2 infrastructure, special assessment rate, VOCA @ LCC Work 2023-01-23
Lowndes County Commission Work Session, Monday, January 23, 2023, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE).

-jsq

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