JONES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
A rezoning request that brought out enough people to necessitate the move to a larger venue ended up wrapping up quickly after the petitioner appeared to lose interest and did not show up.
Commission Chairman Chris Weidner called the Nov. 7 meeting to order. The meeting was held at the W.E. Knox Civic Center to accommodate the number of people anticipated to attend.
All commissioners were in attendance with the exception of Wendy Vaughn.
Donald Black led the opening prayer and led the pledge.
Jones County Zoning Officer Tim Pitrowski introduced the first planning and zoning item, a request by Fairland Recovery Center to rezone from C-1 to C-2 property at 803 Monticello Highway to allow an outpatient health facility. The purpose of the facility was to treat non-acute adolescent and adult chemical dependence clients with co-occurring mental health concerns.
Weidner asked the petitioner to come forward, but no one representing the company was there. He then asked for anyone in opposition who would like to speak, and Dr. Leigh Ross Stanford came forward.
Stanford said she lives in Bradley and asked board members to deny the rezoning request.
“The fact that they are not here speaks volumes,” she said.
The speaker noted that the outpatient facility would be between Lynn Haven Nursing Home and Bradley Baptist Church, which both have venerable residents. She added that no one in Jones County is immune to drug issues.
“But we are blessed to have Butch Reece, one of the best sheriffs in the state. Keeping drugs out of the community is how to eliminate the problem,” Stanford said.
She pointed out that the LLC behind the request in new and is actually an investment group.
The speaker also said there are treatment options available in Jones County for people who need it.
As she wrapped up her comments, Commissioner Daylon Martin asked if a motion was in order.
Martin made the motion to deny the request since the petitioner did not show up. Commissioner Sam Kitchens stated that the reason for the denial was the change in zoning did not align with the land use plan and was not compatible with the surrounding community.
The motion to deny was approved with a unanimous vote.
The next two zoning items were withdrawn prior to the meeting.
Pitrowski introduced the request from Aggregates USA for a conditional use to allow the relocation of an asphalt plant.
Attorney Jack Nichols spoke representing Vulcan Aggregates. He stated that Vulcan is the largest producer of crushed stone, and the owner of the property was in favor of the request. The property is currently being used as an auto salvage lot.
Nichols explained that the plant already exists, and the request is to move it from one side of the quarry to another.
The attorney said the company is working to create a new entrance to the quarry that would move a majority of truck traffic off Lite-N-Tie and Garrison Roads. He said noise tests were done to consider the nearest property, which is 1,100 feet away.
Nichols said the plant has pollution control that is regulated by the state. He said the area in front of the plant is already fully wooded, and the plan is to plant 25 additional feet of trees that will consist of Virginia and Loblolly pines to increase the buffer.
One person spoke in opposition to the petition. Steven Gary lives on Garrison Road and said he was against the relocation because the quarry demolished his home.
After listening to the arguments, Kitchens made the motion to approve the conditional use, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
A request to rezone a property on Riverbend Drive to allow a doublewide mobile home was denied, and the final two requests for conditional uses to allow personal care homes on Horseshoe Drive and Overland Way were approved.
Board appointments
Weidner announced two board appointments. Bruce Sherwood was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals, and Lashaunda Whipple was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Middle Georgia Regional Commission Board.
Martin made the motion to approve the appointments as both applicants live in his district.
“It’s exciting to see my district showing up,” he said during comments at the conclusion the meeting.
New Business
Jones County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Earl Humphries presented the commissioners with bids received for a large piece of equipment for the kitchen at the jail. The lowest bid for the hydraulic tilting skillet was $37,553 from Jonesco Chemical and Restaurant Equipment. Commissioner John Wood made the motion to award the bid to the lowest bidder, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Pitrowski spoke about the first reading of an ordinance amendment pertaining to the Historic Preservation Commission to clarify enforcement of the ordinance. The amendment designates the zoning director as the enforcement officer.
Kitchens made the motion to accept the first reading, and approval was unanimous. The second reading and adoption of the amendment will take place Dec. 5.
County Administrator Jason Rizner brought a recommendation for a backhoe lease purchase. He said commissioners previously approved purchase of two backhoes for the Public Works Department. He said staff members evaluated John Deere and Caterpillar backhoes and preferred the John Deere.
Kitchens made the motion to enter into the lease-purchase agreement for the John Deere equipment in the amount of $329,528. Rizner said the lease would be paid from Public Works SPLOST funds. The vote to approve the motion was unanimous.
Weidner and Emergency Management Director and Jones County Fire Chief Don Graham brought a recommendation to the board for the purchase of a UTV rescue vehicle. Weidner said he became aware of the need for the vehicle after rescue workers had to go 2-1/2 miles into the woods in Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge for an injured person.
Kitchens agreed to the need and said Jones County has one of the largest land masses in the state.
“We rely on our first responders. They needed this a long time ago,” he said.
Wood said the purchase was long overdue and needs to be off-road and off-trail capable.
Graham said more people are in the woods during hunting season, and the vehicle is overdue.
Rizner noted that there are funds available in the EMA SPLOST account.
Graham was instructed to get proposals for the vehicle and bring them back to the next meeting.
Weidner said the commissioners needed to look at options.
“This is definitely needed,” he stated.
Jones County Board of Education Attorney John Newberry explained a resolution brought to the Board for the creation of $8 million in general obligation bonds that will be paid with ESPLOST collections.
That bonds allow the school system to utilize future one-cent sales tax collections for projects needed now.
Kitchens made the motion to approve the resolution, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
The final item of New Business was a beer and wine license for the business located at 3437 Joycliff Road. Clerk of the Board Shannon Wagner said the application was in order and recommended approval. Martin made the motion to approve the license, and the motion passed unanimously.
The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners is scheduled Nov. 21. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Charlotte Wilson Conference Room at the Government Center.
