Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

I'd like to call to order the uh Columbia County Planning Commission meeting for April 16, 2026. Please stand for the invitation by Mr. Russell Wilder and the Pledge of Allegiance by Jamie Lester.

Y'all would bow with us. Dear Lord, we want to thank you for yet another beautiful day, although some rain sure would be nice. Uh all the blessings you bestow upon this country, this state, this county that we live in. We thank you so much for all that. We ask that you uh look over this meeting tonight. You guide us, direct us on them. And everyone remember to please, you know, keep it civil. This is the county's business. Uh we ask that you look over all of our local first responders that protect us, our sheriff's office, Gold Cross Ambulance, and the fire service. Uh we ask that you uh give everyone that's taken time out of their week to come visit with us this evening a safe journey home from this meeting. All these things in Jesus name we ask. Amen. Amen. Pledge of allegiance.

To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, we do have a full quorum this morning this evening. Uh gentlemen, you've had an opportunity to review the minutes from the previous meeting at March 19th, 2026. I need approval of those minutes. Mr. Chairman, make a motion to approve the minutes from the March 19th meeting. Second. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand.

Motion carries. And gentlemen, we've had an opportunity to uh look over the agenda for this evening. Um, I need approval of that. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve tonight's agenda. Second.

I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Before we begin, I'd like to take a moment to clarify that the planning commission is a recommending body to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners. The decisions made on reszoning and variance request tonight will be forwarded to the commissioners for final action on May 5th, 2026. If you wish to address the board of commissioners at their meeting, please see Miss Mixon to obtain a request to speak form. Any request with a public hearing will have a minimum of 10 minutes permitted per side for the presentations of opinions of opinions, data, and evidence by proponents or opponents of a request. The applicant will be allowed to speak first and any member of the public may speak after. Either side may seed their time during the hearing if they so desire. Getting into the debate agenda, new business, we have a preliminary plat H1A1. Danielle.

Yes, sir. This is a preliminary plat for uh area 4A of Tillery Park off Baker Place Road. Uh this shows the location of this section. Um you'll notice it does include the extension into Canterbury Farms uh to create the connection to Canterbury Farms Parkway. Uh the majority of this section is zoned PRD, planned residential development as part of Tillery Park. Uh this section includes uh a total of 72 lots. 52 single family lots with a minimum lot size of 6,000 square ft and an average lot size of 7,250 ft. Uh and 20 townhouse lots in the bottom right corner there of the uh plat. Uh this section um will include sidewalks and street trees on both sides of the road as well as the 50-oot buffers at the perimeter of the development. Uh per the zoning conditions uh that connection to Canterbury Farms Parkway is required prior to approval of any final plats for this section and as noted uh this plan does include that uh connection as part of the construction documents. Staff is recommending approval.

Thank you Danielle. Um gentlemen, can I get a motion? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the preliminary platillary park uh area 4A off Becker Place Road. Second. I have a motion on the floor and second. And all those in favor raise your right hand. Motion carries. Next item on the business here, architectural review H1B 1. Uh Nana.

Yes, sir. This is the architectural review for 426 Lewon Road. The zoning is C2 General Commercial and it's a multi-tenant building and the review is for compliance with the resoning condition. This is the location on the corner of Autumn Trail and Lewon Road. This is the zoning map. And close up, it's uh a new construction that's going between where the Popeye's and Valvalene buildings are built, which you've seen before. Here's a site plan showing the uh multi-tenant building. And these are the proposed elevations uh for this uh retail center. Uh they're the architect is proposing two shades of brick, the stucco finish as well and there's a interesting variation of the roof parapets to give it some interest as well. These are the end elevations and these are the proposed materials for the brick and the stucco and staff is recommending approval of the request.

Thank you Nana. And gentlemen, can I get a motion? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the architectural review for the proposed development at 426 Lewon Road. I'll second. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, raise right hand. Motion carries. Getting into the public hearing portion of the agenda tonight. I have H1C1 temporary use authorization. Nana.

Yes, sir. This is TUA application for 7175 Buildor Road on 5.63 to 63 acres and the current zoning is RA residential and the applicant would like to use a uh travel trailer during the time that they are building a house. This is the location north of Buildor Road and a closeup of the aerial and there are several homes being built in this area. The zoning map and this is a site plan where the house is under construction and the location of the travel trailer will be close to it. There's also a permit issued for a accessory building on this site and the the applicant will be staying in there while they build the two the main residence and staff is recommending approval.

Thank you, Nana. Would the owners of Lacy Robertson or Jamie Robertson or applicant Lacy Robertson like to come forward and add anything to what Nana stated? You can come forward and uh come to the podium, please. And state your name and address for the record.

Chairman Robertson, 7175 Bill Dorne Road. We're we're actually not even living in it. We just go in there and stay there for over the weekend because we live in um Richmond County out in Hespa. Keeps from driving all two or three times during the weekend to come over there. We're just there for a couple hours. We don't have no sewage hooked up to it. we take it and have it dumped at the nearest place. I mean, we don't even I don't even know why there was an issue to be honest with you about it, but it is what it is. Okay. Thank you. You have any questions about that? Questions? Okay. Thank you. I have one more thing. Yeah. Go ahead.

Um I don't even know if y'all have anything about it. Um so I put some mailboxes out there in front of my house today. Well, over the weekend, um somebody on that road complained about the mailboxes. Um, don't know why, but she's saying that she could hit them and kill herself. If that's the case, then she could hit that ditch and kill herself. You You know what I'm saying? Um, my mailbox is a 13'8 inches off the center line. Morris Callaway, there's five brick mailboxes and they're 12 foot off center line. I got a a thing today from two of y'all's um I don't even know what they are. The inspectors

code enforcement. Yes. Yes. And telling me I had to take them down. I spent $4,000 on that mailbox. I'm not taking it down. I mean, and everybody else has got them. Why should I have to take mine down? What did coach tell you was wrong with They said they were too close. But if that's the case, then everyone on Morris Callaway needs to come down cuz they're less than mine. They're 12 foot. I got pictures. I measured them before I came. Every mailbox. Who did you get in touch with? It was Will. Who's Will? No, we Yep. So yeah, this is not the venue for this discussion to be honest with you. Well, I was told by the by the inspectors that I didn't bring it up here. Oh, that's that's not what So anyway, we will work with you on this and

get to a a point of we we'll find a solution to it, but it's not this is not a planning issue. Oh, I I that I was just told by the inspector to bring it up. I apologize if I was out of line. That's fine. We'll carry on. Okay. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Uh, any other member here would like to speak in favor or against? Gentlemen, can I get a motion? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the temporary use authorization at 7175 Buildor Road. Second.

I have a motion on the floor and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Okay. Sorry. Next item, H1C2. Uh this is also a a TUA Danielle.

Yes sir. This is a temporary use authorization at 668 Perry Lee Road. Uh this shows the location of the property off the west side of Perry Lee Road north of Old Augusta Highway and it is currently zoned residential agricultural as are all of the surrounding properties. Uh it is currently an undeveloped site. Uh the first building permit has been submitted. The applicant is intending to build a house and a storage building on the property. Uh the permit for the storage building has been submitted. Uh and she is intending to live um in a travel trailer while she's constructing uh the permanent residence on the property. Uh this shows the site plan on the proposed location of the house and where the travel trailer will be parked and staff is recommending approval.

Thank you, Danielle. The owner applicant Christy Turner would like to add anything. State your name and address for the record, please. Uh Christy Turner, 668 Perry Lee Road. Um going through a divorce. I do have um contract to build a home. They're working on the permits now, so all of that is in order. So they should be coming across your desk soon with all of that. So, okay. Okay. All right. Great. All right. Thank you. Any questions or Okay. Any other member here would like to speak in favor or against the TUA? Gentlemen, can I get a motion?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the temporary use authorization at 668 Perry Lee Road. Second. I have a motion on the floor and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Next item, H1C3, another temporary use authorization. Dylan.

Yes. Uh, this temporary use authorization request is at 7725 Winfield Hills Road. Uh, this shows the location of the property. Again, just off the north side of Winfield Hills Road out here near the lake. All the uh the parcel and all the surrounding parcels are zoned R4 as are most of the property out along the lakefront. Um, this shows the existing mobile home on the property. Um the applicant is looking to make use of that uh existing mobile home uh while he constructs a permanent residence. Uh once the completion of the uh construction of that permanent residence uh like I said once the construction is completed they will remove the mobile home and they have uh he uh updated me this week and let me know that he is getting a contractor to complete that work to ensure that all permitting will be in order with the county and staff is recommending approval. Thank you, Dylan. Um, the owner applicant, William Travis Mosley, would like to come forward and speak.

State your name and address for the record, please. William Travis Mosley. Um, live at 7725 Winfield Hills Road. Um, we live in a house, been there for 18 years. Um, we're going to build another house. Um, we're in contract with Lagege Homes to build a new house. Um, F&M Bank and everything. They supposed to pull all the permits as soon as we get it this settled right here. So, I got some paperwork if y'all want to look at it or whatever. It's from Leage Homes. Okay. We have any questions? I don't have questions. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Any other member uh here tonight would like to speak in favor or against? Gentlemen, can I get a motion?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the temporary use authorization for 7725 Winfield Hills Road. Second. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor raise right hand. Motion carries. Next item H1C4. This is a minor waiver. Will

sheriff's request for a minor waiver 1835 A Harlem Road to reduce front building setback from 125 ft 115 ft from the center line of Columbia Road and Appling Harlem. Show location of the property intersection of Columbia and Apple Harlem Road. Aerial view of the site and the current zoning is currently zoned C2. The north is also zone C2 and to the south is zone C2. East and west is in RA res agricultural. just overall site plan. Uh they've So what the issue here is that we have uh some existing overhangs in the setback. They want to do a patio and cover the patio that would be well within the setback or within the setback potentially. Uh so you can see on there they've had a reduction of only five feet that that they've asked for. Uh in my opinion, let's go ahead and do 10. Uh we can do that with the minor waiver. Give them some the potential to future proof this thing. And staff recommends approval of their request. Is that recommendation?

Thank you. Will the owner um BNL Investor Group LLC or applicant Heather Chansy would like to come forward and speak add anything to that narrative?

Yes. I'm Billy Walden. I am the owner of 1835 Appan Harlem Road and we need a 10-ft variency from the property line from the center of the road of Appling to the edge of the patio. Okay, we have any questions? Pretty cut and dry. Thank you. Any other member here would like to speak for or against? Gentlemen, can I get a motion? Mr. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve MW26-04-01 reducing the front setbacks by 10 ft at 1835 Apple Harlem Highway. Second.

I have a motion and a second. All those in favor raise your right hand. Motion carries. H1C5. This is a variance. Nana.

Yes, sir. This is a a signed variance for 212 Bobby Jones Expressway on 0.598 acres. The zoning is C2 for the property and the request is a variance to signs for additional wall signs. This is the location on the corner of Rose Lane and Bobby Jones Expressway. Zoning is C2, just like the general zoning in that district. And here's the the corner location and a plaid of the property. Here's a site photograph of the corner. It shows the the building that has three tenants in there. Um they're listed on the freestanding sign and the uh each tenant is allowed a sign on the front elevation facing Bobby Jones and the Buffalo Duke sign on the on the side facing Rose Lane is one of the ones for the variance. And this is the photograph that shows the three signs that are under this variance. the Buffalo Luke sign on the side and then the two signs for the tenants on the rear that faces the other shopping center. The site photograph is from the Bobby Jones Expressway. These signs were permitted and they are much smaller than the maximum allowed uh sign area here. The allowance is 75 square ft. All of these signs are considerably smaller than the allowance. And this is the corner photograph of the the building. Uh most of the the strip centers in this area just have a blank wall on the side elevation. Uh this building actually has some interest on the corner with the the brick, the glazing, the canopies, and the metal grills. And having the two signs being of equal size on the corner actually is a more balanced visually. So staff doesn't really have any concerns with

the the second sign which is larger than than the allowance. And this is the uh part of the graphic that was submitted for the sign permit. Um the signs are allowed miscellaneous signage as well on the other walls. So based on that, adding up the allowance for the main sign and the miscellaneous sign, this total signage comes to 102 square feet. And staff doesn't have a concern because it's a redistribution of the total sign allowance for the tenants. And we've considered the other tenants in the same way as way to allow the signs on the back. the the third tenant also has window signage and the only the code only allows 50% of the window sign to be covered in signage. Um so we're asking that as a condition to take care of that and permit the correct size of the window signage. So staff is recommending approval of the wall signs with conditions that the sign facing Rose Lane and the parking lot must be permitted within 30 days of the board of commissioners approval or be removed. Each tenant is limited to two total signs as per the addendum. Each tenant is allowed up to the total square footage by adding together the principal wall sign and miscellaneous sign allowance per code. All will window signs require permitting or removal within 30 days of the board of commission's approval. Thank you.

Thank you, Nana. Will the owner of VS BSRS properties or applicant Robert stole would like to come forward? Just state your name and address for the record, please.

Yeah. Hey, good evening. My name is Michael Downing. I am or my address is 3615 Walton Extension. That's Augusta, Georgia. I'm here on behalf of the owner of the property. Um, I don't find it necessary to rehash much of what was said already. Uh, I will say first and foremost that the owner is prepared to comply with all of those conditions and is agreeable to complying with all of them. Uh, this property is a little bit unique because it fronts on Bobby Jones and Rose Lane. The side elevation signage provides some additional identification that is important primarily to Buffalo Lukes. Um given that Bobby Jones is a, you know, a major thoroughfare, high speeds, high traffic, and given the way the the actual building sits, uh Buffalo Loops gets a lot of traffic from Rose Lane and they want to have that identification on that side as well. Um, as to AT&T and Posh, those signs were installed in what we believe was 2018. Uh, we believe they were done at the time the front elevation was installed and it was, uh, what we think was a mixup that two permits were needed versus one. As mentioned, all of these signs ultimately fit within the total signage requirements. They're professionally installed. you know, they're not um delirious of the commercial shopping center and this area broadly lends itself to having this signage. Um so given that we would just ask that the variance be be approved.

Okay, we have any questions? Thank you. Thank you. Any other member here would like to speak in favor or against? Gentlemen, can I get a motion? Mr. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to recommend approval with conditions of the file VA26-04-01 variance to allow additional wall signage at 212 Bobby Jones Expressway. Second. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. H1C6. This is a variance also. Dylan.

Yes, sir. Uh, this is a variance at 710 Whitetail Trail. uh seeking to reduce a rear setback for a storage structure. Uh this is the location of the parcel off the south side of White Oak Road. Uh you can see Whitetail Trail, which is where its uh address true is located. Uh illustrated along the lot lines here. The zoning for this parcel and most of the surrounding parcels is RA. Uh White Oak Road, as we all know, is a pretty rural character area out here in this uh general vicinity. Uh this shows an aerial photo uh from the county GIS map. Um we'll see some updated photos here in just a minute. Um but as you can see, Whitetail Trail does not have a dedicated road rightway. It's not a county-owned road. It's a effectively a driveway serving this parcel and the adjacent parcels and the parcels to the rear of these ones. Um the road only Colombia County Road frontage is White Oak Road here and the house is oriented towards Whitetail Trail. Uh this is a site photo. So the request uh is the the subject of the request is a proposed storage structure that the applicant wishes to locate uh directly at the end of the driveway uh shown here to the right of this photo. Um again because Whitetail Trail is not a county-owned road uh that is technically a rear lot line. the one kind of this driveway is lining in the RA zoning district that has a larger setback than side setbacks. Um side setbacks in the RA zoning district are 10 ft. Whereas uh lot lines that uh intersect with a public ride ofway um that's where those side setbacks are located. Those 10ft setbacks when they don't intersect with the public uh county-owned road rightway those setbacks increase to 25 ft. So, the applicant is looking to comply with traditional 10-ft setbacks at this

location so that he can orient that storage structure for his boat and other uh vehicles directly at the end of that driveway for ease of uh entrance and maneuvering. Um, beyond that, the adjacent parcel is actually an abandoned cemetery. And so, he proposes that there would not be a neighbor that would be adversely impacted by this reduction. This slide shows kind of an illustration of uh the request. Ultimately, uh the 25- ft uh separation would cause him to have to uh alter that driveway's layout to approach the structure. Uh whereas the 10-ft reduction in that setback would allow him to back the boats directly into the structure, which would be of help to him and ultimately uh without any kind of drawback to any neighbors according to any of the county's reviewing departments. Again, uh this also shows that this request is generally in keeping with the character of the area. There are uh setups on adjacent parcels that are similar to this requested layout. Um and uh the presence of storage structures for things like RVs and boats are not out of place in this rural character area within the county. And so considering all of these factors, uh staff is recommending approval of the applicant's request.

Thank you, Dylan. the owners um Aaron or Kristen Jones or applicant Aaron Jones would like to come forward. We have any other member here tonight would like to speak in favor or against? Gentlemen, can I get a motion? Mr. Chairman, make a motion to recommend approval of file VA26-04-2 variance to reduce the rear setback to 10 feet at 710 White Trail. Second. I have a motion on the floor and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. I see that we have no legal matters this evening. Any other staff or commissioner comments y'all would like to make? No, sir.

Any public comments or participation? Gentlemen, can I get a motion to adjurnn? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to journ. Second. Have a motion and a second. All those in favor of adjourn, raise your right hand. We are adjourned.