Bulloch County Commission Chairman Roy Thompson opened the regular bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 encouraging the capacity crowd to be respectful during the meeting. He referred to the last Planning and Zoning meeting which decorum was lost. Chair Thompson read the rules and expectations of the audience and recognized Sheriff Noel Brown in attendance. He said that they would not tolerate any disrespect of the Commissioners or fellow citizens.
Sheriff Brown echoed Chair Thompson's comments and concerns. He added that no foul language would be tolerated.
Most of the audience was in attendance were there in protest against the rezoning of the R&H Development of 60 acres of land at Shuman Road and Old River Road to allow for the residential development. The land is currently zoned AG-5. The requested rezone is to R-40.
After hearing from Robbie Bell the developer and four of the 31 citizens who spoke against the project on a recommendation from Commissioner Ray Mosley the commission voted to deffer action until the first meeting in September. Commissioner Mosley wanted to see if the two groups could come together in the interim and come up with a suitable development for the property.
There were no issues with the audience in attendance regarding meeting decorum.
A report on all business covered in the meeting is covered below.
ZONING AGENDA
DEFERRED - 1. Terri Grant has submitted an application to rezone 3 acres from R-25 (Residential 25,000 sq ft) to NC (Neighborhood Commercial) to establish a general business – daycare facility. The property is located at 27 Bobby Stubbs Road, Parcel No. 106 000016 000
NO VOTE - 2. Terri Grant has submitted a Conditional Use application to establish a daycare facility. The property is located at 27 Bobby Stubbs Road, Parcel No. 106 000016 000.
DEFERRED to first meeting in September - 3. R&H Development Co., Inc. has submitted an application to rezone 60.2 acres from AG-5 (Agricultural 5 acres) to R-40 (Residential 40,000 sq ft) for the purpose of a single-family residential subdivision. The property is located on Shuman Road and Old River Road, Parcel No. 183 000002 001
Robbie Bell the developer spoke in favor of the rezone
31 citizens signed up to speak against the rezone. Four spoke in the 10 minute window allowed.
APPROVED - 4. John Keene has submitted an application to rezone 5 acres from R-40 (Residential 40,000 sq ft) to AG-5 (Agriculture 5 acres) for the purpose of operating a general business (archery pro-shop and range ag center). The property is located at 462 Youngblood Road, Parcel No. 121 000010 000.
APPROVED - 5. John Keene has submitted an application for conditional use for the purpose of a Home Occupation - Cottage Industry (archery pro-shop and range ag center). The property is located at 462 Youngblood Road, Parcel No. 121 000010 000.
APPROVED - 6. Robert B. Poole has submitted an application to rezone 10 acres from AG-5 (Agricultural – 5 acres) to HC (Highway Commercial) for the purpose of operating an automotive sales and rental facility, automotive parts and accessories and a conditional use for automotive repair. The property is located at 30350 Hwy 80, Portal, GA, Parcel No. 006C000015 000. Agenda Board of Commissioners August 1, 2023 Bulloch County Page 2 Updated 7/28/2023 12:28 PM
APPROVED - 7. Robert B. Poole has submitted an application to rezone 10 acres from AG-5 (Agricultural – 5 acres) to HC (Highway Commercial) for a conditional use for automotive repair. The property is located at 30350 Hwy 80, Portal, GA, Parcel No. 006C000015 000.
APPROVED - 8. Mayberry Land Holdings, LLC has submitted an application for a condition modification to the conditions approved by the Board of Commissioners on November 15, 2022. The request is to modify Conditions #4, #6 and #10. The property is located on Josh Deal Road, Parcel No. 093 000026 000.
DENIED - 9. Mayberry Land Holdings, LLC. submitted an appeal to the Planning and Zoning decision dated July 13, 2023 for the conditional approval of the Mayberry Subdivision sketch plan condition #3. The property is located at 359 Josh Deal Road, Parcel No. 093 000026 000.
APPROVED - 10. The Bulloch County Planning and Development Department is requesting a Text Amendment to introduce or modify text definitions for commercial crypto currency mining, crypto currency, crypto currency data center, crypto currency server farm, dispenser of low thc oil, high density load service, and personal care home; to modify Section 1005 (a)(1) water supply of Appendix C; to modify use standards text for Section 1418 Daycare Facility, residential zone; to add a new section 1452 to establish supplemental standards for dispensers of low thc oil; and to modify Section 802 Commercial and Industrial Principal Uses to include Liquor Stores.
Ben Ross owner of Forest Heights Pharmacy spoke in regards to the thc oil dispensaries. The new Georgia law will allow pharmacies to dispense these medications. Georgia is the only state in the country to allow pharmacist to dispense these new thc oil medications. For Mr. Ross to dispense these medications he will still need to get a license from the State and he will have to apply for a variance due to the location of his pharmacy to a church.
PUBLIC HEARING- ROAD ABANDONMENT/CLOSURE
APPROVED - Public Hearing and Resolution to Abandon County Road
A petition has been submitted requesting that the Commissioners consider abandoning Melrose Road. In accordance with Georgia law, the Commissioners must hold a public hearing on this issue before taking action to formally abandon Melrose Road. The attached public hearing notice was published in the Statesboro Herald on Thursday, July 20th and Thursday, July 27th, and property owners on the road were personally notified of the hearing with a letter sent via regular U.S. mail. If, after conducting a public hearing, the Commissioners find that abandonment of County Road No. 228, also known as Melrose Road, is warranted because it has ceased to be used by the public to the extent that no substantial public purpose is served by it or its removal from the county road system is otherwise in the best public interest, then the Commissioners may adopt the attached resolution to certify abandonment of the road.
APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes Approval: Tuesday July 18th, 2023 08:30 AM
2. Motion to approve the purchase of two fire engines from Fireline in the amount of $1,505,054.00.
The fire department was budgeted for $1,924,890.00 for three fire engines. One has already been ordered from Fireline in September 2022 for $624,890. That left $1,300,000 for the two to be purchased this year. After talking with Mrs. King, we are moving forward with purchasing the two engines and holding off on purchasing the tanker for this FY.
NEW BUSINESS
APPROVED - 1. Approval of Amendment to Chapter 3 of the Code of Ordinances of Bulloch County, Georgia
The attached ordinance amendment revises Chapter 3 of the Code of Ordinances to include a license for package sales for off-premises consumption of distilled spirits. There are two versions of the ordinance amendment attached: (1) a "redline version" that shows deleted language in blue strikethrough font and new language in red font; and (2) a "clean version" with all the changes incorporated for approval by the Commissioners. Approval is recommended.
APPROVED - 2. Motion to approve a bid and enter into a contract with Reeves Construction Company for County Road Resurfacing 2023 in the amount of $2,524,950.00, to be funded by LMIG and TSPLOST.
This contract includes the resurfacing of approximately 10 miles of county paved roads. The list of roads is attached. Sealed bids were received on July 13, 2023, as detailed in the attached memo from Faye Bragg, Purchasing Manager. The low bidder, Reeves Construction, met all requirements of the County's bid specifications and has successfully completed previous Bulloch County resurfacing projects. The County Engineer's cost estimate for the project (base bid plus three add alternates) was $2,845,227.50. Because the low bid is below the estimated amount, the county engineer recommends including the three add alternates, for a total contract amount of $2,524,950 with Reeves Construction.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Cassandra Mikell spoke representing Bullochtaxes.com a new website established to allow citizens to calculate increase in the property taxes. She had several procedural questions regarding the upcoming public hearings for the proposed property tax increase.
COMMISSION AND STAFF COMMENTS
Tom Couch, Bulloch County Manager announced the hiring of Dal Cannady to replace Broni Ganious as communications director. He will begin in September. "We look forward to him joining the Bulloch County family," said Couch.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (PERSONNEL, REAL ESTATE AND PENDING LITIGATION)
The Commissioners entered into an Executive Session. No action was taken.
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