COUNTY
It would appear the question of parking commercial vehicles in an agricultural residential district has been settled by the Jones County Board of Commissioners.
The Sept. 19 board meeting was called to order by Chairman Chris Weidner, and the opening prayer and pledge were led by Deacon Ken Maples with Central Baptist Church.
Commissioners listened to visitor Yvonne Hopkins, who spoke about drainage issues on Troutman Drive that were resulting in damage to her home. She said, when it rains, water runs from surrounding streets and looks like a river.
Commissioner Daylon Martin said he spoke to Hopkins last week and invited her to come speak to the board.
Hopkins asked what the county could do to help. She added that, with the water, trash from other streets settles in her yard.
Clerk of the Board Shannon Wagner said Public Works Director Shawn Wood had been made aware of the problem.
Weidner told Hopkins that Wood will give the board a report of how to correct the drainage problems, and she would be contacted.
The visitor continued to speak to board members about an issue with a neighboring business. She said there was an ongoing problem with property lines, burning at night and public urination.
“If this was in your back yard, you wouldn’t like it,” she said.
Again, she asked how the county could help.
The chairman said he was hearing several types of possible violations involving different agencies, including law enforcement, code enforcement and the Environmental Protection Agency.
“We will keep in contact while we check on this,” Weidner said.
New Business
Zoning Officer Tim Pitrowski presented a revised text amendment to the county’s zoning code section 66 pertaining to storage and parking of trailers and vehicles.
The questions arose due to a complaint about the parking of an 18-wheeler in a residential area in an agricultural district. The complaint revealed that a homeowner could not park his own commercial vehicle on his property.
Pitrowski gave board members suggestions of an amendment at a previous work session and was tasked to incorporate suggestions from commissioners and bring it back. The revised amendment adds an exception to allow one commercial vehicle of any weight that does not exceed the weight limit for the road serving the property. It would be permitted so long as it is not parked it the front yard or visible from the public right-of-way.
The amendment also included the stipulation that agricultural vehicles were exempt.
Commissioner Sam Kitchens made the motion to approve the amendment, and the motion passed unanimously.
Weidner explained the next agenda item, which was a probation services agreement for Magistrate Court in the absence of County Administrator Jason Rizner. The agreement was with the current provider, Georgia Probation Management. The chairman said Magistrate Judge Lewis Patterson reviewed the agreement and recommended approval.
Kitchens made the motion to accept the agreement, and the motion was approved unanimously.
Commissioner John Wood talked to the board about using an additional $75,000 to upgrade the playground in Haddock Park. He also suggested having a community meeting for the neighborhood for ideas of what needed to the playground. The commissioner said he would work with members of the community to come up with a date for the meeting.
Board members were agreeable to both suggestions.
Comments
Several citizens spoke to the board about road issues. The first talked about concerns on Mountain Springs Road that had received a shortterm fix. Another resident of the road asked about the possibility of getting the road paved and said she was talking to neighbors.
A third resident of Mountain Springs Road said she has lived on the road for 42 years and has wanted it paved since she moved there.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn said the county was in the process of an evaluation of all its roads.
Martin invited all citizens to come to speak to the commissioners about problems and concerns.
“I hate these issues go on for a long time. I’m glad we have the opportunity to correct them, but roads take a while,” he said.
The commissioner said he would like to see an update of the CHIP grant. Wagner said there is already a list of applicants.
Weidner also took the opportunity to thank citizens for attending the commissioners’ meetings.
“This is the public’s meeting,” he stated.
