LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MINUTES WORK SESSION Monday, September 9, 2024 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman Bill Slaughter Commissioner Joyce Evans Commissioner Scott Orenstein Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker Commissioner Clay Griner Vice Chairman Demarcus Marshall was not present. Chairman Slaughter called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. MINUTES The minutes were presented for the work session of August 26, 2024 and the regular session of August 27, 2024. No changes to the minutes were requested. PUBLIC HEARING Well and Septic REZ-2024-15 Loch Winn Farms, LTD, -62ac, Loch Laurel & Carroll Ulmer, R-A to R-1 & R-A, County Planner, J.D. Dillard, presented the item. Mr. Dillard stated this request represents a change inz zoning on the subject properties from R-A (Residential Agricultural) zoning to R-1 (Low Density Residential) and R-A zoning. The applicant would like to subdivide a portion of the properties into a forty-one (41) lot residential subdivision. The subject property possesses road frontage on Loch Laurel Road and Carroll Ulmer Road, both locally maintained County Roads, with proposed access offL Loch Laurel and is within the Urban Service Area and Rural Residential Character Area. The TRC analyzed the request, the standards governing the exercise of zoning power set forth in 10.01.05 of the ULDC, and factors most relevant to this application, including the neighboring land use, lot sizes, zoning pattern, the lack of available utilities, the groundwater recharge area, and therefore recommends approval of the request for R-1 zoning as depicted on the exhibit, while the remaining portion of Map and Parcel 0168 113 remain R-A. The Planning Commission did not review the case, due to a lack of quorum at their August meeting, and therefore have not provided a recommendation. Chairman Slaughter stated because the Planning Commission did not meet and therefore, did not issue a recommendation, legal counsel suggested tabling any action on this item until the case could be re-advertised and heard by the Planning Commission. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked if there was a way to notify the Commissioners ahead of time that the request would be tabled? Chairman Slaughter responded the decision to table would not be voted on until the next regular meeting of the Commissioners and as such, there was no time to notify everyone. County Manager, Paige Dukes, stated an effort is made to notify applicants and interested parties, but it's difficult to reach everyone on such short notice. Commissioner Orenstein stated he was notified by multiple venues that the Planning Commission would not meet in August and he was thankful for the effort staff made to update everyone. Commissioner Orenstein then asked if the applicant was aware of the potential tot table this request? Mr. Dillard responded the applicant requested over the weekend to table this request until the September 24, 2024 Board of Commissioners' meeting. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked if a reason was given for the request? Mr. Dillard replied that the applicant requested tabling to allow REZ-2024-16 Pine Grove Road Townhouses, 6.3ac, Bemiss Rd & Pine Grove, C-H to P-D, County Planner, J.D. Dillard, presented the item. Mr. Dillard stated this request represents a change in zoning on the subject properties from C-H (Highway Commercial) zoning to P-D (Planned Development) zoning. The general motivation in this case is for the applicant to develop a 70-unit townhome community. The subject property possesses road frontage on Bemiss Road and Pine Grove Road, a State Highway and a County Road respectfully, with proposed access off Pine Grove Road. The property is within the Urban Service Area, Bemiss Corridor Overlay, and Neighborhood Activity Center Character Area. The TRC analyzed the request, the standards governing the exercise of zoning power set forth in 10.01.05 of the ULDC, and factors most relevant to this application, including the neighboring land use, lot sizes, zoning pattern, the availability of County utilities, and therefore recommends approval of the request for P-D zoning as depicted on the proposed site plan, with the following staff recommended condition: The sidewalk be installed by the developer and continued from Bemiss Road down Pine Grove to the northwest property line. The Planning Commission did not review the case due to a lack of quorum at their August meeting, and therefore have not provided a recommendation. Commissioner Wisenbaker asked if this development would be apartments? Mr. Dillard replied yes, this would be similar to the development in the area. Commissioner Orenstein asked if there had been any opposition to the case? Mr. Dillard replied no. Chairman Slaughter stated the recommendation from legal counsel would be to table this item as well. more time for communication with the club members. County Utilities FOR CONSIDERATION Orr Road Extension, P.I. 0016273 - Transportation Improvement Act (TIA) Project Agreement Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented the item. Mr. McLeod stated the Board approved submitting the Transportation Investment Act (TIA)Local Government Application for project delivery at the March 12, 2024 commission meeting. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)approved the application and sent staff the Project Agreement to be approved and executed. The Project Agreement is required to be executed prior to beginning, and a written Notice to Proceed from GDOT is also required prior to beginning any project phase. The agreement is for eligible project costs up to $1,175,000.00. REPORTS - County Manager There was no additional information to report. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Griner made a motion to adjourn the work session meeting, Commissioner Orenstein seconded. Chairman Slaughter adjourned the meeting at 8:41a.m. 2 LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MINUTES REGULAR: SESSION Tuesday, September 10, 2024 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman Bill Slaughter Vice Chairman Demarcus Marshall Commissioner Joyce Evans Commissioner Scott Orenstein Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker Commissioner Clay Griner Chairman Slaughter called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. INVOCATION Commissioner Griner Commissioner Griner MINUTES PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG The minutes were presented for the work session of August 26, 2024 and the regular session of August 27, 2024. Commissioner Orenstein made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, Commissioner Evans seconded. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING Well and Septic REZ-2024-15 Loch Winn Farms, LTD, -62ac, Loch Laurel & Carroll Ulmer, R-A to R-1 & R-A, County Planner, J.D. Dillard, presented the item. Mr. Dillard stated this request represents a change inz zoning on the subject properties from R-A (Residential Agricultural) zoning to R-1 (Low Density Residential) and R-A zoning. The applicant would like to subdivide a portion of the properties into a forty-one (41) lot residential subdivision. The subject property possesses road frontage on Loch Laurel Road and Carroll Ulmer Road, both locally maintained County Roads, with proposed access offL Loch Laurel and is within the Urban Service Area and Rural Residential Character Area. The TRC analyzed the request, the standards governing the exercise of zoning power set forth in 10.01.05 of the ULDC, and factors most relevant to this application, including the neighboring land use, lot sizes, zoning pattern, the lack of available utilities, the groundwater recharge area, and therefore recommends approval of the request for R-1 zoning as depicted on the exhibit, while the remaining portion of Map and Parcel 0168 113 remain R-A. The Planning Commission did not review the case, due to a lack of quorum at their August meeting, and therefore have not provided a recommendation. Mr. Dillard concluded by stating since the Planning Commission did not meet to consider this request, the staff recommendation is to table the request, re-advertise, remand the case back to the Planning Commission to be heard on September 30, 2024, and present to the Board of Commissioners on October 8, 2024. Commissioner Griner made a motion to table the item, re-advertise, remand the case back to the Planning Commission to be heard on September 30, 2024, and present to the Board of Commissioners on October 8, 2024, Commissioner Orenstein seconded. All voted ini favor, no one REZ-2024-16 Pine Grove Road Townhouses, 6.3ac, Bemiss Rd & Pine Grove, C-H to P-D, County Planner, J.D. Dillard, presented the item. Mr. Dillard stated this request represents a change in zoning on the subject properties from C-H (Highway Commercial) zoning to P-D (Planned Development) zoning. The general motivation in this case is for the applicant to develop a 70-unit townhome community. The subject property possesses road frontage on Bemiss Road and Pine Grove Road, a State Highway and a County Road respectfully, with proposed access off Pine Grove Road. The property is within the Urban Service Area, Bemiss Corridor Overlay, and Neighborhood Activity Center Character Area. The TRC analyzed the request, the standards governing the exercise of zoning power set forth in 10.01.05 of the ULDC, and factors most relevant to this application, including the neighboring land use, lot sizes, zoning pattern, the availability of County utilities, and therefore recommends approval of the request for P-D zoning as depicted on the proposed site plan, with the following Staff recommended condition: The sidewalk be installed by the developer and continued from Bemiss Road down Pine Grove to the northwest property line. The Planning Commission did not review the case due to a lack of quorum at their August meeting, and therefore have not provided a recommendation. Noone spoke in opposition to the request. Mr. Jack Langdale, 701 North Patterson Street, spoke in favor of this request on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Langdale stated the townhomes would be three and four bedrooms, with approximate square footage of 1500- 1600 in area, and had no objection to the continuation of the sidewalk from Bemiss Road down Pine Grove to the northwest property line. Commissioner Griner made a motion to approve the item as presented with the condition of the continuation of the sidewalk from Bemiss Road down Pine Grove to the northwest property line, Commissioner Marshall seconded. All voted in favor, no one opposed. opposed. Motion carried. County Utilities Motion carried. FOR CONSIDERATION Orr Road Extension, P.I. 0016273 - Transportation Improvement Act (TIA) Project Agreement Director of Engineering Services, Chad McLeod, presented the item. Mr. McLeod stated the Board approved submitting the Transportation Investment Act (TIA)Local Government Application for project delivery at the March 12, 2024 commission meeting. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) approved the application and sent staff the Project Agreement to be approved and executed. The Project Agreement is required to be executed prior to beginning, and a written Notice to Proceed from GDOT is also required prior to beginning any project phase. The agreement is for eligible project costs up to $1,175,000.00. Vice Chairman Marshall asked regarding a timeline for this project? Mr. McLeod stated the bid would go out later in the year 2025. Commissioner Orenstein made a motion to approve the item as presented, Vice Chairman Marshall seconded. All voted in favor, no one opposed. Motion carried. REPORTS - County Manager County Manager, Paige Dukes reported the following: 2 Tomorrow, September 11th at 10:00 a.m., willl be the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony held inside the Thursday, September 12th at 5:00 p.m. will be the One Valdosta-Lowndes Capital Campaign Lowndes County Historic Courthouse on the second floor. Kickoff being held at the Lowndes County Historic Courthouse. Friday, September 13th is Chairman Slaughter's birthday. Tuesday, September 17th is Commissioner Griner's birthday. Friday, September 13th at 9:00 a.m. will be the Push-In Ceremony for the newest truck company at Lowndes County Fire Rescue Station 10, located at 2981 US Highway 84 East. Saturday, September 14th at 10:00 a.m. will be the Push-In Ceremony for the newest truck company at Lowndes County Fire Rescue Station 2, located at 5080 Madison Highway. On Thursday, September 19th at 8:30 a.m., the first required public hearing to establish the millage rate will be held. CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD William Carey, 4038 Liska Circle, Valdosta, addressed the Commission regarding the lack of recycling opportunities in the community. He stated he tries to recycle plastics, but Waste Management won't accept any plastic items for recycling. The landfill is expensive to operate and a recycling opportunity for the community would offset the cost of operating the landfill. Chairman Slaughter asked Mr. Carey to stay after the meeting was adjourned, and he would speak with him some more on this topic. Commissioner Wisenbaker made a motion to adjourn the regular session meeting, Commissioner ADJOURNMENT Evans seconded. Chairman Slaughter adjourned the meeting at 5:43 p.m. 3