Unlike other local governing authorities, Jones County Commissioners go above and beyond when it comes to listening to the concerns and opinions of their constituents.
That was evidenced by the second meeting on the “Impacts of Zoning” Nov. 17 prior to the monthly Planning and Zoning meeting.
The meeting was called to order by Board Chairman Chris Weidner, and the discussion was started by Commissioner Sam Kitchens. The commissioner stated that he believes opinions about protections needed for data centers were more in alignment than people think.
Kitchens said the proposed M3 zoning designation covers multiple industrial uses.
“We hope to get data centers incorporated in the M3 zoning,” he said.
Zoning Officer Tim Pitrowski said the goal is to get something for the P&Z board to consider and provide its input.
Steve Hoyt, a member of the P&Z board, asked what was broken as far as the zoning in the county’s industrial park that made new zoning designation needed.
Kitchens said in the current M2 zoning, an industry could drill a well.
“That’s a problem. There’s also the question of if a data center needs to be a conditional use in the M3 zoning,” he said.
Commissioner Daylon Martin said he had concerns about forcing a data center into the industrial park. He said the county would lose all the money and work poured into the park.
“The development authority dictates what happens in that space, not a citizen advisory group,” he said.
Kitchens said it was about where a data center would better fit. He said he did not think the commissioners were handcuffing anyone.
“What we are putting in place is the right thing to do because the M2 zoning may be too lenient.”
Weidner noted the county has other water valves near the industrial park that can be turned on if needed.
“We are not going to use our county water,” he said.
Alex Lefholz stated that a Development of Regional Impact study needed to be done before a data center is approved.
Pitrowski said a DRI is compelled by the state, and Kitchens added the county will follow the state guidelines.
Lefholz previously emailed commissioners a 20-page draft proposal for a Jones County Comprehensive Data Center Management Plan created by a citizens advisory group containing their ideas and opinions for data center regulations, a tiered classification system and a community benefit agreement proposal.
She referred to the document, beginning with the importance of requiring the studies.
Kitchens said the county always reserves the right to require more studies.
“Bringing all this out makes us realize we do need to tighten some things up,” he said.
Development Authority Chairman Erik Varnadoe said he has been a member of that board for three years.
“The county has poured a lot into the industrial park, and the board has determined the need to start generating money. Industry is the only thing that will put more money in the community than it costs,” he said. “We want the industrial park to be ready for whatever comes here.”
Kitchens said it is about risk verses reward.
“We are trying to mitigate the risk. I one hundred percent support a data center for Jones County in the right place, under the right conditions,” he said.
The complete meeting is available for view from the website jonescountyga. org.
