Boc Joint Planning & Zoning - Regular Meeting

Come on. Hey. Good evening and welcome to the joint planning and zoning board and board of commissioners meeting of March the 3rd, 2026. I am Greg Simmons, the planning and zoning chair. Prior to this meeting, announcements were posted and notices were sent to all board members, commissioners, staff, interested parties, and applicants to participate in this meeting. I will now turn the meeting over to Dr. Ramona Jackson Jones to introduce and confirm the presence of our commissioners. Madam Chair,

thank you so much, Chairman Simmons. Good evening again. I'm Dr. Ramona Jackson Jones, the chairwoman of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. And to my right is our vice chairman in district 4 commissioner Mark Alcarez. And then to his right is uh Commissioner Mitchell, District 1. Uh then to his right is uh Commissioner of District 2 Commissioner Kenner Us and District four I mean district three Martin Raxton. Uh thank you Commissioner Martin Raxton and all of you for being here tonight. With that being said, we do have a quorum. I'll yield the floor back to you.

Thank you Madam Chair. Also present, we have members of the planning and zoning board. And at this point in time, I would like to welcome Frank Payne, our atlarge member, who's been appointed as our new vice chair.

Also present, we have Brandon Pinman, District 1. Oric Curry, District 2, President. Melissa Poke, District 4, present. And our school board representative, Chris Small, is not here tonight. He's been excused. We do have a quorum, however. Allison Duncan, our planning and zoning manager, will now introduce the county staff and planning and zoning staff president of the meeting. Miss Duncan.

Great. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Tonight, we have with us our deputy director of development services, Travis McDonald. We have our director of traffic operations, Bruce Mercer. Uh we have Mary Mentor from our legal department. We have our zoning administrator, Austin Cronin. Our clerk of the planning and zoning board, Johanna Wulmarmac. and I'm always uh grateful and appreciative for our communication department and our sheriff's officers for being with us here this evening. Thank you. There is a reversionary clause that applies to each reszoning and that is the applicant, the agent or the property owner has 24 months to vest the zoning change after the board of commissioners grants an approval. As far as tonight's procedure goes, I will conduct the public hearings. Planning and zoning staff will announce each application followed by a full presentation on that application. The applicant or the applicant's representative and members of the public in favor of an application will be able to present their information. They will be allocated two minutes per person for a total time of 15 minutes to speak in oppos favor of an application. Members of the public in opposition will also have time to speak. They too will have two minutes per person and an allocated time of 15 minutes to speak in opposition. After the opposition completes their input or the time is elapsed, public hearing will be closed. At this point, the staff will clarify any points of the zoning case. If the staff is unable to answer the board's questions, the board will then ask the applicant for points of clarification. And this is not a time for the applicant to represent their case. Planning and Zoning Board will then entertain a motion. Our first agenda item tonight will be to approve the minutes of the February 3rd, 2026 joint planning and zoning and board of commissioners meeting. Planning and zoning members, after reviewing the minutes, are there any comments,

changes, or questions? Hearing none, do I have a motion to approve? This is Frank Payne. I recommend approval of the minutes for the February 3rd uh 2026 meeting. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Or Curry. Second. I have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion?

Hearing none. All in favor of approving the February 3rd, 2026 minutes. Please signify by raising your hand. Thank you very much. That's unanimous. Madam Chair, minutes of February 3rd, 2026 meeting come to you with a unanimous recommendation for approval. Thank you so much, Chairman Simmons. Board of Commissioners, you've had an opportunity to review the February 3rd, 2026 uh meeting minutes of the combined planning and zoning and board of commissioners meeting. Do we have a motion to approve? So move. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion, board? We have a motion and a second. All in favor, please indicate by raising your right hand. We have a 50 unanimous vote and the motion carries for approval. I yield the floor back to you, Chairman S.

Thank you, Madam Chairman. Uh, Miss Duncan, do you have a recommendation on the change of agenda? Uh, yes, sir. Before we move forward this evening, I would like to ask that we move the last item uh on the agenda in regard to uh Driscoll Drive up to the fourth item on the agenda. So, that will allow us to take the first three items uh which were deferred from previous meetings, but would like uh uh to request that we move the last item up as we anticipate we do have citizens here who would like to speak in regard to that. Okay. Thank you very much. Uh planning and zoning board. You've heard the recommendation. Do I have a motion to amend the agenda? This is Melissa Poke. I make a motion to amend the agenda. Moving item number

I'm so sorry. Um item numbers S202619 up to uh four. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Frank Payne. Second. I have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor of the agenda change, please signify by raising your hand. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Uh, board recommends an agenda change for S2026-9 to be moved to the fourth item on the agenda. Thank you so much, Chairman Simmons, for those recommendations. Board of Commissioners, do we have a motion to amend the agenda to move uh S2026-9 to the fourth spot?

So, move like to make a motion to move S2026-9 to the fourth item on the agenda. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion, board? We have a motion and a second. All in favor, please indicate by raising your right hand. We have a 50 unanimous vote with no opposition. And the motion carries. I yield the floor back to you. Thank you, Madam Chairman. And our first agenda item tonight, uh, S2025-13, which was deferred.

Uh, yes, sir. S2025-13. This is a request from Big Power Developments 5 LLC. Uh this is a request for a special use permit for a data center that will exceed 50,000 square feet as well as a special use uh permit for an electrical substation. The property is located at 2250 Rock House Road and this is in commission district number two. Um so the current uh state of the property is undeveloped. Uh there is a lake um in the middle of this property. Many many years ago in anticipation of the expansion of Thornton Road uh sometime in the late 80s early 90s um there was a county initiated zoning update that encompassed multiple parcels. That was how this parcel came to be designated as a light industrial restricted through the 2000s and the early 2010s. Uh development in this area was largely characterized by logistics and warehouses uses. Recently data centers have expanded um into this area. And so the applicant is proposing to construct a new utility substation uh in a building that exceeds 50,000 square feet. Um they contend that they are not subject to any changes in uh the code that have happened. Uh specifically we had a moratorum on data centers. They have showed a way that they can meet those current requirements. Uh but they are contending that they are not subject to the requirements of any changes in data centers because this application was submitted to us in November of 2024. Um they have spent uh a number of months working on their application, revising it, and then most recently have come back um and asked for several deferrals. Uh but just wanted to make that note about their request since we did have the subsequent change um in the code. Uh we have reviewed uh the relevant code sections here. Uh and again, no additional summary of prior zoning action other than that county initiated resoning back in the '9s. Um so this is at the time it was submitted in the commerce center future land use uh characterization in the data district character area. Uh we have taken a look at several agency impact statements and so there are comments that have been

received by multiple um departments uh and those are included in your packet. Um so the primary concerns that the staff has in regard to this project are first of all its proximity to residential development. Um and I'll speak to that a little bit more when we pull up the zoning map. Um the the second concern that we have is the location of the utility substation um on the property. It's going to be very hard to screen the utility substration. Given where they're proposing to locate it on the property and the third con the third concern is primarily in regard to environmental impact. Um because as you'll see when we analyze the criteria there is a lake that is in the center of that property. Um and some of the site plans that we have received from the applicant are proposing to encroach upon that lake. So, let me forward and show you a little bit of what they're proposing here. This is that site plan that does show the developable area encroaching onto the lake. Um, you will also notice adjacent to that red strip down the corner of the property. That is a proposed buffer uh that the applicants are saying they will have on the property. Um, but immediately to the west of that is the neighborhood um that is the subject of staff's concern for the residential development on the property. Um, and then additionally, you will see where they're proposing to locate their substation. Um, it might be a little bit easier to see on this image. Um, but they are proposing a 5 acre substation on the property. Um, which would be a significant, uh, impact, uh, to the viewshed there along Rockhouse Road. So, uh, we have asked for them to submit line of sight studies. So, they did submit the line of sight studies and again staff does contend that there would be a substantial impact on the adjacent residential property as well as the utility substation from Rockhouse Road. There are several uh images in here that the applicant has asked to speak to during their time. So, we've included those here for your consideration. Uh ultimately the planning and zoning department recommends denial of this request uh based on the findings that the proposed special use permit is not consistent with the comprehensive plan and the unified development code based on the impacts to adjacent residential

development and environmental concerns as well as the character of the surrounding area. Uh that number two, the granting of the proposed special use permit may adversely affect the public health, safety or welfare. And number three, the granting of the proposed special use permit does not comply with the spirit intent of the unified development code and does not reflect best practice. Um, however, as always, if we think that the board may be inclined to approve the request, we have uh proposed several of the following conditions. Please bear with me as legal does require me to read this into the record. Uh, but the first condition is that the development of the site is for a data center and for no other purpose. Any proposed change in this use for the site shall be returned to the board of commissioners for review and approval. The second condition is that the development of this site for a data center shall be generally in accordance with the concept plan included in the planning and zoning file and referenced in the staff report. Approval is conditioned to this site plan, minor revisions may be approved by the director of development services. Should the director determine that a revision does not qualify as a minor revision, it shall be at the discretion of the director to return the application to the board of commissioners for review and approval. Number three, all stipulations of the Douglasville Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority impact statements included in the staff report are referenced herein and shall be binding as conditions of zoning approval. And then number four, all stipulations of the Douglas County Department of Transportation impact statements included in the staff report are referenced herein and shall be binding as conditions of zoning approval. Number five, the project architecture shall be reviewed and approved by DRC prior to the issuance of a land disturbance permit. The project architecture shall substantially conform in the style, color, and materials of the adjacent data center development. A determination of conformity shall be at the discretion of the director of development services. In the event of conflict of interpretation, this application shall be returned to the board of commissioners for review and approval. Number six, site landscaping shall meet the requirements of the unified development code. Upon review of the submitted line of sight studies, additional landscaping may be required by the director of development services

to mitigate significant impact to the viewshed. In the event of a conflict of interpretation, the application shall be returned to the board of commissioners for review and approval. Uh, that concludes my staff recommendation. If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to address them at the appropriate time. Thank you. Thank you very much, Miss Duncan. At this point in time, I'll open the public hearing on this matter. Anyone wishing to speak in favor of this application, please approach the podium. You have two minutes per person for an allocated time of 15 minutes. If you would state your name and address for the record, sir, in two minutes.

Thank you. Good evening. My name is Bob Kaufman. Uh 5303 Slater Mill Circle, Douglasville, Georgia. I'm an attorney with Hartley Ron Fowler and we represent the applicant before you this evening. As you as you've been made aware, it's a site of 35.416 acres. It's a large parcel. It's already zoned light industrial and it's in the data district character area already. The what I've just showed you is an aerial photo with respect to all other light industrial zone properties located around this site. Here's an aerial photo with the site that shows properties that are in orange. They're already zoned for data center and you'll see some that are right near our site. The next one are residential properties that have been recently reszoned for data centers. So, as you may be aware, uh this application's been before the uh the group before, but over the last several months, we've met regularly with the folks of the Parkside Community Association, and we've entered into a community benefit agreement that is going to provide a significant sum to the HOA to improve their development, but also mitigate any potential impact from our development. Uh the HOA representatives are here and uh Malcolm Kohl's the president, he's going to get up and speak in favor in just a minute. Uh but there is a unanimous vote by their board to approve to support our application. Uh the county adopted section 352 of the UDC after we filed the application, but we went ahead and modified the original site plan, added the 100t buffer. The size of the building's been reduced from 500,000 square feet down to about 332,000 square feet. The staff has six conditions of approval that you just

heard. We'll agree to a seventh one, and that is that we have to comply with the community benefit agreement that we just signed with the uh Parkside Community Association. The engineer is Mr. John Weise. He's going to speak here in a second. Mr. Herby's here for the uh developer and Mr. Nicole will be up as well. Two minutes. Anyone else wishing to speak? If you'd state your name and address for the record in two minutes.

As John Wise with Paul Mitchell Wise was civil engineer on the project. My address is 85 Mil Street, Rosville, Georgia. I'm going to do this very briefly. I'd be happy to go through the sight lines in detail after our our allocated time. I also need to find them in the other way.

Oh, thank you. So, we want to focus on a few things just real quickly. So, as uh Miss Duncan said, the west side of our site sits next to the residential. So, on the west side, the red line the red buffer you see here, there's actually a little bit there's 50 more feet of that buffer that's not shown in red. So, there's a 100 foot total buffer between us and the residential parcels. And then after that 100 foot unders buffer that's heavily vegetated, we're also going to have slopes of at least 50 feet horizontally that are going to be planted with evergreen trees heavily vegetated like you see here. The great giant arborites for example. Um each one of these sight lines is from different parcels and residential properties. Again, I can come back up here if anybody has any questions about going through these, but essentially they all have the 100 foot buffer at a minimum undisturbed area in between the parcels and the building. And you can see as you go through these that gets wider and wider as you go through the different properties. So the closest property is 385 ft I believe to the building. So within that 385 is 100 foot undisturbed and an additional 50 feet of planted and uh sloped area. You also see that the elevations are different between the uh residential and the proposed building as well. Another point is the uh the substation. So here's a sight line from Rock House. Um you'll see the as you come come off Rock House come down the hill. The substation sits 25 to 30 feet below Rockhouse Road. So, what we've proposed there is to come off Rockhouse with a short BM to help that elevation even more and then line that entire slope between the roadway and the substation with those evergreen trees. Is that my two minutes?

That's it. Okay, that was the most important part. Thank you very much. Again, happy to come. Don't go far. We'll probably have some questions. Uh, anyone else wishing to speak in favor? All right. Could you state your name and address for the record, sir?

All right. Good evening. My name is Malcolm Cole. My address is 1877 Round Ridge Circle. I'm the president of Parkside Community Association HOA in Lithia Springs. And I'm here on behalf of our community regarding the ongoing development in our area. Our area has transformed from a secluded hill of 251 homes into a dense industrial zone of warehouses and data centers. Throughout this transition, previous developers have shown little regard for our residents, frequently damaging our primary access road without uh proper repair or consideration to our neighborhood. Big Power Development has taken a different approach since they first presented to the their project nearly two years ago. They've actively engaged with us, including visiting our clubhouse and identifying ways to support our community. Following my appointment as board president on January 26, uh I requested an extension to these hearings to ensure our community was fully informed regarding the big power development project. Since then, we've had community teleconference as well as weekend information uh open house where initial polling was evenly split regarding the project. Our homeowners were able to thoroughly review the documentation provided by Big Power and address their concerns. Many residents have decided to update their position in favor of the project. Our latest polls show overwhelming support from homeowners, including several former board members. In light of the clear majority on behalf of Parkside Parkside community, the board of directors would like to express our unanimous support for approval of Big Power Development's application for special use permit. We appreciate their proactive efforts to engage with our

community and look forward to having them as a neighbor. Given tremendous change in landscape for our neighborhood, we do ask the board of commissioners and the zoning board to ensure our community is protected from environment and infrastructural risk, issues of water, power. Okay. Uh that's it. Yeah. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor? Hey, how are you? Hey, name and address in two minutes, sir.

Chris Herby. Uh, I'm at 137 Amherst Place, Atlanta, Georgia. Um, I, uh, I work for NI Brandon Goddard, which is the, uh, which is the applicant here. Uh, we, uh, identified the site actually many years ago before we got involved with it. Uh it's an industrial site uh surrounded by 95% industrial uh warehouses and data centers. Um we're simply asking that you guys vote in favor for the the SU that we uh did not need a year ago, but are going through the process and trying to do everything that you guys want us to in favor. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor? name and address and two minutes, please. Uh

Deborah Beard, 153 Westchester Drive, Sperna, Georgia. Um I'm in favor. Our family have been paying taxpaying citizens of Douglas County since 1960. We lived on Factory Shows Road in Lithia Springs, which the county resone from residential to light industrial back in the late 70 to 80s. Our family goes back four generations in Douglas County. Starting around 10 years ago, several properties were sold for light industrial use with the county's approval as part of their master plans. We now need you to protect our interest while we're trying to sell our property for the highest and best use. It feels like we're being penalized as property owners since this is the second time that we be under that we've been under contract and not fulfilled the sale. Both of us are Georgia natives. My brother's a Vietnam veteran, senior citizen, a longtime Douglas County taxpayer. He has lived on this property for over 35 years. The developer has gone to extreme measures to make sure this is a winwin situation for all. We ask that you grant the special use permit so that we can sell our property in the same manner as others have been successful in selling all other properties zoned light industrial. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your comments. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor? Seeing no one moving, I'll close the public hearing in favor and open the public hearing in opposition. Anyone wishing to speak in opposition, please approach the podium. If you'd state your name and address for the record and then two minutes, you might want to pull that microphone down a little bit. There you go.

Okay. Can you hear me? All right. My name is Margaret White. I live at 9932 Manunian Way. Um, I live in the tributary at New Manchester. Our neighborhood pays some of the highest taxes in Douglasville because we both pay we pay both city and county taxes. On top of that, the residents at Tributary paid over $50,000 last year to operate our tennis center, which I recently learned also functions as a police precinct. at no cost to the city or the county. Additionally, we paid more than $153,000 last year to maintain and upke up the Riverside corridor. The homeowners of Tributary are doing a lot for this city, but who is looking out for us? I am a health care provider with over 30 years of experience and I am today I'm here today to oppose any additional data centers in Douglasville just three miles from my home and one mile from the tributary riverbanks neighborhood on North River Road companies like Microsoft Align Data DC Blocks Flexential and Scansa already have seven or eight data center buildings that are built that are are built and under construction in that area. I'm concerned because research shows that data centers operations can contribute to serious health concerns including cardiovascular stress like hypertension and neurological problems especially in our children and in our elderly populations. I have read about respiratory conditions such as asthma becoming exacerbated because the air quality around our data centers are filled with diesel particulate matter

and nitrous oxide. We also know data centers cause environmental and infrastructural strain on our water and power s. Despite all of this, here we are under consideration tonight for yet another data center on Rockel House Road. That's it. Okay. Sorry. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Name and address, please.

Amy McCoy, 9938 Ashton Old Road. I'm gonna I already timed this for three minutes, so I will try and race through this in two minutes. Um, as a homeowner in the tributary community, a member of the board of directors, I'm here tonight regarding the cost allocation transparency related to the proposed data center development. As additional data centers are coni considered in and near our community, homeowners need clarity on how infrastructure and utility burdens are distributed between commercial entities and residential residents. Homeowners in the tributary contributed through the HOA assessments and what is called the covenants to share funding for out for landscaping utilities and shared infrastructure along the riverside corridor. When large-scale commercial facilities are introduced into that framework, it is critical to confirm whether the parcels fall within the covenants to share structure, how the utility loads and infrastructure impacts are allocated, and whether intergovernmental agreements between the city and county affect the cost responsibility, and whether residential assessments could be directly or indirectly impacted. At this time, residents have not received clear documentation confirming how these cost responsibilities are structured. Without clarity, there is concerns how homeowners may be carrying infrastructure burdens that should be proportionately shared by the commercial beneficiaries. This is not an opposition to development. Economic growth and home ownership equity can coexist. I respectfully request that before final approvals move forward, the county provide public con clarification regarding the parcel's legal status within the covenant to share and the allocation of infrastructure and utility costs between the residential and commercial users. Homeowners deserve clarity on who pays and how costs are distributed. If that was two minutes, man,

you're good. You're still good. Proud of me. Thank you. Thank you very much for your comments. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Name and address for the record, please.

Chhatan Nukem Parkside Community. I would like to say that this is not for it or against it because the saddest part is that the voting really goes down to they're going to do it anyway. So, I just want you guys to know that. Um, I've been um coming to the courts to uh to these meetings to understand what's going on in the counties and what we can do for our community. I've cried in here. I've screamed in here. I've been nice to people. We've laughed together and everything else, but it seems like it's not making a difference. I've hosted my advocacy for Lithia Springs, not just our community, but Lithia Springs as a whole was hosting a virtual meeting to listen to what the um people that were running for this commissioner seat had to say. uh meeting with developers, advocating for investments not only in our neighborhood but for the entire unincorporated Lithia Springs, asking for these billion dollar billion dollar companies coming in with all these tax abatements take care of our taxes for a few years. Also asking for a comprehensive plan review that's all we ask for because I think we would not be in this situation if that was a company. Instead, we have had companies coming in disrespecting us in conversation. My granddaughter no longer see deer in the backyard or side of the house. No bunny rabbits, no butterflies. We have lost water with no warning. Have water plate covers in our street. Have a sinkhole. Has had windshields cracked, signs ran over, and these vehicles crossing the line and almost running us off the road. Long wait times to get to anywhere. We don't know what the future holds with all these um new new um bills, but we do know that every time they've done some blasting, it has affected our homes. And we need to know that not just now, but 10 years down the road or even after it's completed, how are we going to be compensated for how it's going to affect

our homes? Um it's not for, it's not against because again, at this time, we're just like they're going to do it anyway. And that's unfortunate. Thank you for your comments. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Name and address.

Hi, thank you. Susan Buouie, 2935 Flowers Drive in Douglasville, 30-year resident of District 2, been in the same house 30some years. And I'm here just here to say I feel like that kid Mikey in in in the commercial, you know, I know. Let's let Mikey do it because that's what's happening here in Douglasville. Everybody's coming here and let's just do it here. I mean, I don't know about you guys, but if you look on Facebook, you'll see it that that they're already putting feelers out. Do we want battery centers? How many data centers do we want? They're taking advantage of us. And what some of these homeowners don't understand is that no matter what they promise you, if they back out of it, it's civil. You have to take them to court. These folks can't help you. The police can't help you. You're going to have to go to court. So, I say, "No, leave that lake alone. Leave these people alone. Go somewhere else." I mean, this is the old not in my backyard, but please, not in my backyard. I live on a corner lot, one street, 12 houses. Out of that 12, six are owned by private portfolios.

Now, you know what that means? That means if they want to come in and put an HOA in my neighborhood, all they got to do is buy a few more houses. All they've got to do is raise those rents and they change the voting of that street just by the rent. And these people are doing the same thing to these other folks. They dangle pretty things in front of us, but when push comes to shove, they get the land and we get the shaft. Thank you. Thank you very No clapping, please. Please. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? How much time do we have, Miss Duncan? Seven minutes. Seven minutes. Okay.

Hi, my name is Sonia Lynch and I live at 3155 Founders Way. I live in the tributary. When I first moved to the tributary, I was so elated because it was every was like a forest around there. Now, the Riverside Parkway and Rock River Road or whatever you call it, it's a parking lot for 18 wheelers. Now, uh, the gentleman just spoke in favor of putting this data center, and he said it was in 3 miles with his, uh, line of sight there. That is three minute drive to one of our residential areas. 3 minute drive. Do you guys realize that at night from a data center there is gas that we can't smell, we can't taste, we can't do anything, but it floats through the air. And you know who breathes it at night? all us residents that are sleeping. And it also those data centers also emit a a a sound that we can't hear that causes dementia. Okay? It's it's more than a notion to take a tree lot, tear everything down, and put a data center up there. There may be people working in there, but none of them live in Doug Douglasville. So, what I'm saying is, what are you giving us? It's a problem. What's going to happen to my property value? I'm 67 years old. Sooner or later, I'm going to want to sell and it's not going to be worth it anything because there's going to be people I have a neighbor now that refuses to go fishing in the pond again. You know why? Because he saw a two-headed snake and a four-headed frog. Okay. No. No. This stuff is happening already. We also know that the that the the water that goes through these systems, it goes through the data systems to keep them cold, okay? To keep it cold in there at night, that water goes through there, it has to be filtrated and it is put right back out into our streams, in our ponds. And guess who's drinking it? I am. Okay. Did

anyone do a study to see how it's going to affect us long term? No. It's all about getting money is all about millions of dollars. But you know what? In order to have somebody using the data, you got to have to have people that are alive and living. That's it. And that's all I have to say. Thank you very much. Next.

Thank you, Sabina Kelly, Box 536, Winston. Um, I've asked about the data centers before and we did a moratorum and I appreciate you for that. I didn't realize it didn't last long enough because soon as y'all cancelled the moratorum, we've been bombarded by data centers. That's not acceptable. My answers haven't been answered yet answered yet. How many employees does a working data center employ? Are they here in in Douglas County? Do they live in Douglas County? Do they pay taxes in Douglas County? Uh how much tax does the data center pay? They they give us all these promises about they're gonna do the parks and the schools and we give money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money money and so far we haven't seen anything happen with what they've said they're going to do students haven't been taught anything they're not working for the data centers all about the big people that get their money for their bonuses because they got the data center to come through in Douglas County Douglas County has enough data centers I say no to data centers do a moratorum until they're all gone And besides that, I don't know when the parcels, I guess the other lady said in the 70s and 80s, we were designated for data centers. I say I would appreciate the commissioners and the board getting together and rearranging that and leaving it more to residential and getting rid of data center and light industrial. Thank you.

Thank you for your comments. Next person, please. Name and address.

Hi, Philip White, 713 Rockill Parkway. live in the Parkside neighborhood. Um, want to say that most of the people that spoke for it did not live anywhere nearby. Uh, most of the people speaking against are are neighbors of us. Um, we're all concerned about the noise, the traffic, the water usage, pollution. Uh, this is our main drainage of the whole area is this lake. There's a big swamp next to it. They're proposing to pave over that um and encroach on the lake. Um we're we're all worried about what's going to happen to the water running right behind our houses. Um the cell service is already bad because of all the new uh power lines that have gone up. We're worried about more more of that right next to the neighborhood. Um health problems ongoing uh noise from the generators, diesel generators. Um this is a two-story data center, which means it's over 60 feet tall. Um that's obviously going to be seen by anyone nearby. Um right now they're they're building a large AWS data center. They're blasting this area. Um this area of Douglas County is a big ridge. It's a beautiful place right next to Sweetwater Creek State Park. That's why we're called Parkside. Um they're destroying that. They're blasting the highest points around, flattening it to make giant warehouses. Um they're about to take this lake, do the same thing. um seems like article 3 section 352 um you know that that they're violating the spirit of the law if maybe not um to the finest point but it certainly seems like they're building next to a residential area right next to my home um seems like that that should not be allowed.

Thank you for your comments. Next person.

Hello and good evening. My name is Constance Rayford. I live at 2315 Valley Creek Drive. I bought my home in 2012 when there were nothing but trees, deers, and rocks. I have since seen other um homes being built. And I've come to the point where I just start shaking my head when I leave my home and when I return home because there are buildings and and and warehouses and data centers and that is not what I envision for the long-term um use of my home. Okay. Um, I have a concern because I had a cancer diagnosis last year and due to the stress I had a silent heart attack. I was home about 2 3:00 and the traffic is horrible. I was having symptoms. Instead of calling 911, I was afraid they would not get to me in time. I had to call my daughter from work to come get me because she knows how to cut down Douglas Hill. I didn't think I would make it because the traffic is so bad. The buildings, the the trucks, the the potholes, THE SINKHOLES, THEY'RE ALL THERE. But I stand here today because my daughter knew how to get around the traffic. And it's just not fair. My my my health is not for sale. My peace of mind is not for sale. I vote no. I don't want anymore. I'm tired of it. And for us to be offered 2.5 million big power.

How dare you? That shows how much you care about my community where I have researched and seen other communities have been offered much more. So I vote no on this proposal. Thank you, sir.

Okay. Thank you very much. That's our 15 minutes allocated. I will close the public hearing this point in time. Public hearing being closed. Planning and zoning board. Do you have any questions of the applicant or of staff? And I also I guess I need to probably mention at this time you mentioned something about a seventh condition to deal with a contract between you and the homeowners. But we cannot put that in as a condition. The county cannot be a part of that. We cannot enforce it. We don't have anything to do with it. Okay. All right. Miss Duncan, did you have something other than that?

Again, just want to underscore exactly what you said, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. The county is not a party to any private agreement that has been executed, nor will we be a part of any party um of of that agreement that has been executed through a condition of zoning or any other means. Thank you. Simply between the uh residents and the company. Uh any questions? Planning is zoning board of staff or the applicant? Uh could Allison come back up again? Yes, sir. Do do we know how many uh data centers is in that area off our off hand? Uh off hand, I don't want to take a guess. Okay.

Um I think that so what I know in the county is we have five data center proposals that are actively under development. In terms of the city, I actually don't know how many um have been zoned or under development in the city. Um and again, the five that I'm aware of are not all in that area. We have the stream campus which is out on the west side um of the county as well. So um but in terms of the number in the city, I do not know off the top of my head. Okay. So right now we have five, not counting what's in the city basically. Yes, sir. Countywide for Douglas County. Yes, sir. Okay. Can the U applicant?

Yes. Uh, so you've heard the concerns of the residents that live in that community. Yep.

And I know about HOA cuz I sit on one. So when you when you make the decision on this, are you really considering the people who are in that area based on some of the things that are going on? Because you're right near a lake which is provides services and because you are requesting more based off the amount and planning and zoning is in the process of denying this. What is your concerns of why you think that we should really consider having another data center in this district? Um I I suppose that's a great question. Um we're simply taking I guess the law and the zoning that you guys set forth in your future land use plan and your comprehensive plan. Um and we've taken a property that's zoned industrial uh that we've actually looked at doing uh traditional spec warehousing in the past on it. Um I was involved in that as well and part of that process was actually to drain that lake. Um this project does not drain the lake. Uh it was our understanding in the previous project that uh the Department of Watershed actually would like to see all infill lakes such as this completely drained because it presents a flood hazard especially when the dams aren't you know up to code and they're generally in, you know, these types of lakes aren't damned up, you know, properly and safely for all the residents downstream. So that was the recommendation at the time was to actually drain the lake in its totality. Um, as it relates to this project, we're keeping the lake in its place. I guess we might be getting rid of the dam. I'd let the civil speak to to that, but u we're taking a property that's already

zoned industrial. We're not asking you to do anything as it relates to your land use long-term plan. We're simply asking for a special use permit, not a reasonzoning. So, uh, I guess to I don't know if that answers your question or not, but, um, what we're doing is actually in the county's designated use for this piece of property. Does that Oh, yes. Okay. That's That's good to go. Do we have anybody here from WSA?

No. WSA. Anybody from Georgia Power or Utility? I have no other questions. Any other questions? Planning and zoning board? Uh I have a couple questions. Uh my concern uh is that of the residents uh the environmental impact. Uh there are some major concerns that they had. Uh how have you addressed those concerns? Um as it relates to specifically to environmental problems.

Yes. Um I I guess I don't have a good answer to that other than to say um what we are proposing to do is within line of the developments that are already in place. So any traffic, any noise, any of that kind of stuff, we're not adding to it. It already exists. Um uh especially the Amazon deal across the street where very very small project as it relates to that. um is is probably going to be the smallest data center project that you guys will see in in in the county at 30 acres.

I guess my major concern is the air quality and water, you know, have you have any plans on trying to address those issues? Mike, do you have any you guys have any comments on that? Thank you. So your question, Mike Lash, CBRE, um thank you for letting me speak. So you're saying questions on environmentals for Yes. water and for air quality air. Okay.

So, data centers obviously um they have backup generators. Those backup generators are the the things that would create the air air pollution. Um those are only ran every so often in a maintenance window to make sure they're still working. Those are completely backed up. Greystone Power is the utility of choice here and they're going to they're going to build power to the site that would allow for a primary and a backup power. So there's really no reason for those generators other than a backup to the backup in case there's a catastrophic failure. Okay.

And then on the water, I know nobody's here with WSA, but we have met with them, and we're going to abide by the the amount of water and sewer that they um have available, and that's a non- evaporative closed loop system that we're willing to put into the system to be able to not put extra burden on the uh water system. Okay. Thank you. I yield. Any other questions? Hearing none. Madam Chairman, I'll throw it to board of commissioners for questions you folks may have. Thank you so much, Chairman Simmons. Board of Commissioners, we have any questions? Okay, you have the floor, Commissioner Kenner Jones.

Um, so to answer Mr. Curry's question. We have Google Stack, T5, DC Blocks, Switch, Flex Central, Microsoft, AWS, and Southwire all immediately surrounding the same neighborhood that we continue to come back and talk about over and over and over again. So, I got in my car last week and decided I was going to drive around just to see what the conditions were like now that some of the data centers have been fully built out and construction is closed out. I almost got hit twice. So, it is extremely concerning to me that someone would continue to have a line of sight issue and think that it is appropriate to go forward with that particular um special use permit request. And I drive a Suburban. It is very easily visible. I have no idea what people that are driving a Nissan Versa or a Honda Civic are doing over there. In addition, it took me 12 minutes to get from Riverside to the end of Rockhouse Road because I had to wait through the flagger changes twice. So even if the data center itself is not going to have permanent traffic implications, they take 5 to 10 years to build. So that is 10 years of construction that these people are going to have to deal with and it's unacceptable. You you can't even get down Douglas Hills at this point. And then we have passed at least one ordinance since I have been on the board. I believe that there was one that was already in place when Commissioner Robinson was still here that prohibited trucks from using specific streets, but guess what? They were on the road when I was over there. So they're clearly not following those provisions. So I don't know how

staff recommends denial. They've demonstrated that this is a critical issue for that's going to impact public health and safety. I I would just jo ask that my fellow commissioners join in a denial of this project because it's unacceptable. And unless the unless the community agreement is at this point to buy these people out of their houses, I have no idea what else you do to make this even remotely close to beneficial for them. That makes no sense. I I yield back, Madam Chair.

Okay. Thank you so much, Commissioner Kenner Jones. Any other comments or remarks, board? Okay, I have a few. We share certainly echo your concerns, uh, Commissioner Kenner Jones. We have our fair share. We've done our due diligence and of course our the safety of our citizens is just uh important. You cannot buy health. You can buy everything else but you just can't buy health. That's my world. So I'm listening to some of the things such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, asthma uh as a result of the diesel particulant matters concerns me deeply. Um especially you have two-headed snakes and fourheaded frogs. I'm a little nervous. what what's what's what what what's causing that? So anyway, with that being said, uh Commissioner Kenner Jones, I do echo your concerns and u certainly you can count me in. All right, I'll yield the floor to you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Planning and zoning board, you've heard the discussion. Do I have a motion on S 2025-13? Or Curry, I make a motion that we uh request to deny the request for a special use permit for a data center exceeding 5,000 square ft and electrical substation located at 2020 50 Rock House Road. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Frank Payne second.

Do we have any discussion? Board hearing none. I'll call for the vote. All in favor of the motion to deny S2025-13, please signify by raising your hand. Thank you very much. That's unanimous. Madam Chair, S2025-13 comes to you with a unanimous recommendation for denial. Thank you so much, Chairman. Simmons board commissioners, you've heard all the questions and answers. Do we have a motion? Madam Chair, I make a motion to deny agenda item S2025-13. Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion board? We have a motion and a second. All in favor of denial, please indicate by raising your right hand. Okay, we have a 50 unanimous vote and the motion carries. I yield the floor back to you, Chairman Simmons. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Uh, our next agenda item, please, as well. We may want to take about two minutes to let folks leave.

If you would leave, uh, quietly and quickly, please. We have other business. Thank you so much. Next agenda item, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The next item on the agenda is Z2026-07. This was also deferred from the February meeting. We have had the public hearing on this. Uh so want to just bring you up to speed. Uh there was some concerns about uh raised by our code enforcement department uh about current issues um on the property. I should probably back up and remind you um that what we're seeing here today is a request for uh reszoning to a residential high density. So this is a 97 unit town home community. It's located off Veterans Memorial Highway. Um it was before you previously uh and uh this request was denied several months ago. The applicant has brought it back. They have made all of the changes requested by staff. Uh and so again, we are recommending approval on this after the uh the meeting with code enforcement. Um and certainly I would defer to the applicant if they want to provide any additional details, but my understanding um is that they did reach an agreement. Should the board seek uh see favorably to approve their recommended uh to to approve their resoning application rather um then the applicants would commence post haste with their development. So that would ameliate any uh outstanding code concerns on the property. Um and should the board not approve uh the request then code enforcement would step back in and take whatever action deemed necessary. Uh so just want to remind you that it is still very much the recommendation of the planning and zoning department um that this application be approved uh with the condition. So again the findings are that the proposed use would not modify the comprehensive plan or the intent, purpose or spirit of the unified development code. the proposed use would not adversely affect the public health, safety or welfare. And number three, the proposed use would provide a transition from commercial and industrial by right uses that may generate unanticipated off-site impacts. Um, so we did have the approval, we do request that uh one condition go with the approval. Uh, specifically, the approval shall be for a town home development only. A change in the type of housing units offered from town homes to another housing type would require resubmission of a site plan for review and approval before the

board of commissioners. Uh, and that concludes my recommendation other than deferring to the applicant if they have anything that they need to share subsequent to the meeting with the code enforcement department. Thank you. Thank you very much, Miss Duncan. Would the applicant need to like to add anything at this point in time? Sorry.

Good afternoon, good evening. My name is Henry Bailey at 3630 Peace Street Road Northeast, Clark Hill. Um, as following the meeting that we had uh on February uh 2nd of this year, uh my client immediately uh received got the contact information for the code enforcement officer, met him on the site the very next day uh to walk the site to ensure that there were no issues that were prevailing on the site from a code enforcement standpoint. Although the code enforcement officer is not here tonight to speak on this, uh the my my client and the and the code enforcement officer did come to an agreement on the fact that there was nothing for us to do at this time with respect to code enforcement on that site because the site was in was in was in really good state and was not like he remembered it from whenever he remembered it uh prior. Um so we just ask that you follow staff's recommendation of approval uh with the condition as stated which we're happy to agree to. We'll take any questions you have when the time comes.

Right. Thank you, Mr. B. Yes, sir. Uh, planning and zoning board. Do you have any questions of Miss Bailey or of staff? Hearing none. Madam Chairman, I'll throw it over the board of commissioners for any questions you folks may have. Commissioner Ker Jones, we have a floor.

I just needed a quick reminder. Is this the one where the you all recommended approval? There was a little bit of um concern about the architectural designs. Uh well so again for this goound the the access portion has been taken care of. That was the initial concern that we have probably I don't know probably a year ago since y'all saw this previously. Um the applicants did submit the uh facades that you see there as an example. Aggressive real aggressive. I'm sorry that that blue is real aggressive. Well so again the only thing that I would add is we are conditioning to the site plan but not the architecture. Right. So, there's still some work that's going to have to be done on the architecture.

I know. I'm just pointing it out so that they will reconsider what colors they paint that because that's that's that's real aggressive. Understood. Understood. Um, but again, so what we would really mostly be focusing on would be the fact that this is town homes. Um, we do feel like that there's been enough preliminary engineering on the site that this um layout is viable uh under our code. As you know, staff always would prefer to see a mix of uses. So even though this is a straight town home project, you will notice there's an existing commercial building that is already in proximity to that, we feel like this does achieve the mix that we'd like to see. Otherwise, it is noted that we still have to work on the architecture, but generally speaking, we are comfortable recommending approval um of the resoning request. Thank you, Commissioner Mitchell.

And if you'll stay up there for staff, if you would. So um we went from what to what again on it was like 10 and something in the beginning. Correct. It was 101 when you saw it a year ago. It is now down to 97 units. Got it. And the code enforcement situation it's being addressed or has been addressed.

Uh yes, sir. Pending the outcome of the vote tonight, uh we will take the appropriate next steps. If the uh recom if the if it is a favorable approval from the board of commissioners, then I trust that the applicant will submit um their site plan for review so that we can get it under development um and and get the the town home community built. Uh if the board chooses not to approve it, then we will send this back over to code enforcement for whatever follow-up steps they deem to be necessary. And can you review once again? I know I don't I hate to put you through this, but the conditions uh make sure that

again. So just one condition. We want to make sure that we are conditioning it to be town homes only. Um under the residential high density, you have the option to do a variety of different high density. So, uh, condominium, duplex, triplex, quadplex, because what they are presenting you as town homes and that's what you're acting on. Um, that is simply the condition we're asking for is that they follow through and deliver on what they've presented to you if that's what you're voting on. So, that is the only condition uh that it shall be a town home development only and if they decide to change the type of housing um that needs to come to you uh they would have to resubmit um another application. Also want to clarify that this is going to be fee simple. So they are not asking for a special per special use permit to allow the community to be rental. Uh so the expectation would be that these would be fe simple for sale town homes.

And and what's that price point? Um the price point for the the bright blue homes will be about No, I'm joking. The the the price point is uh around the mid300,000. Okay. Got you. Got it. And and and give me an idea of kind of what's inside. You know, three bedrooms, one bath. Oh, you want I'm sorry. Yes. Yes.

Oh, you don't have Yeah. You want want us to add any color color commentary to that? Leave that alone. Get these are mostly going to be three twos. Three twos. Yes, sir. Okay. Got it. Got it. Got it. And And you you will consider uh the color Okay. All right. I'll take recommend I'll take recommendations. Okay. No, listen. We we can't even you you do what you do. Um and and and correct me if I'm wrong. This we're now coming uh off of 78 now. Not that side street. Yes, sir.

Okay. Okay. Cuz I think that was the the biggest concern and especially with Okay. with staff and all that good stuff. So, um what kind of improvements will um will be asked del lanes and all that good stuff off of uh 78 that's going to be required of you guys to pull off? The DOT will require a the DOT will require a del lane. Um fortunately, there's a good start already because of the proximity of that commercial building. There's already somewhat of a del lane. So, they will require that. It's in the uh highway overlays. There'll be some county required improvements as well. Um so landscaping, fencing, those kind of things.

So is that going to be and I don't know if staff will answer this question with you, but is that going to be a part of what staff or the county will have to pull off or is it all on your development as a requirement? Yes. You want to ask? Okay. Yeah. So again, Bruce Mercer from DOT is here. if you would like him to speak specifically to the required uh road improvements, but all of the other requirements are coming straight from what uh is recomd under the unified development code. Um and so that would be all of the regular landscaping, sidewalk, things of that nature that are required under the uh highway quarter overlay. And I'll let Bruce speak to improvements.

And I just want to add to that though, just I guess what I want to know is kind of if there if there's any any cost to the county in these improvements. Uh, no sir, there would not be any cost to the county in these improvements. And I'll let Yes, if you would please. Good evening. Good evening. Yes. Um, the the DRC um committee will look at these plans and we've looked at them multiple times before. There's no cost to the county whatsoever. Um there will be a deceleration lane, curb, gutter, sidewalk, etc. like every um other project. And that's part of the DRC uh and UDC code requirements. How far would the sidewalks go? Excuse me. Sidewalks. You said

Oh, yes. How far you the the code u mandates that that it's along the entire property frontage. Okay. So, that's that's what we're restricted to um impose, right? And so, that's what we'll be looking at. But them being good. Oh, excuse me. And then always on both sides of each street. Yeah. The the entire uh interior street um will have sidewalks on both sides. Got it. Okay. So that's inside but outside. Now so we're saying along along the frontage of the property. Correct. 78. Mhm. If it has 300t of frontage, you'll have 300t of sidewalk along 78.

Got it. And not that it needs more, but is there from your site view on this project? And and can can we pull back up the the the layout the site so I can kind of see get an idea of that sidewalk? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So with the sidewalks on 78, I get the internal. Yeah. There's very small area. You can see um over on the right where the the driveway access comes in

there. sidewalk along the fronty showing it there. Uh and then actually there's property uh to the west. Um you have to skip the uh existing commercial development and then there's property along uh frontage that's further west along there that will also receive sidewalk. So the frontage of the entire development if I'm hearing you correctly of this the sidewalks on 78 this particular development. Yes. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. And I think I saw garages on on these town homes. And thank you. Thank you. Yeah,

I did. I think I saw some Yes. Okay. One. Two. Just one. All one car garages. All one car garages. Okay. All right. Okay. All righty. And I like the blue, by the way. You do like the blue. Thank you. I I yield back, Madam Chair. I just had one question regarding square footage. What's what's the square footage? That's my favorite topic. I like the blue. I just want to know the square footage.

They're uh the footprint is thousand two story. It's thousand square feet. Two story. I don't know if I can see it, but somewhere around I want to say I'm sorry 17,800 square feet something like that. That's decent. Sorry I don't have the exact number in front of me but Okay. Thank you. I yield the floor back to you. The minimum square footage in that zoning district is going to be 1300 square feet. So, they're going to have to be at least 1300 square feet and then they can go up from there if they need to. Okay. Thank you. That answers my question. You have the floor. I'm sorry. Vice Chair, you have the floor. All right. If you'll go back to the to the layout, please. The site plan.

What provisions have you guys made? If you look at that bottom lefthand corner, you basically have one building almost at touching another complex right there. What provisions you put in place that catch that catches fire from it spreading to the other part to the other town homes? Which which which portion are you talking about? Look on the inside of your your what I'm going to call a U the bottom left hand circle. The bottom lefth hand corner. I apologize. You see how it's kind of angled and it's almost at the back of the other building. So what provisions have you made if that catches fire for that not to spread to those other units?

There is no building that's closer to another than 30 ft. That's the minimum separation and that meets the requirement. It may to scale look like it's closer than that. The property lines, the black property lines are almost touching, but the the buildings will be minimum 30 ft um from each other. So that and that would be pretty typical for a town home development. So that one point in that bottom left hand corner that's a 30 that's 30 feet from that building to that other building. You got to look at the the red line. I don't know if you can really see it. Let me show see if I can Okay, I see. Okay, I see the red. So the red line is the actual unit. The red line is the actual unit. The black line is the property line. Okay. Is that natural buffer though? Right. What do you mean? Is that natural tree

the area between the buffer that that he's backing up to? No. Oh yes. The area he's backing up to it's natural buffer. It's also a stream that we cannot encroach upon, right? Yeah.

It just I I mean, just my personal opinion. I mean, I commissioners think that well, but you're cramming 97 town homes in 13.4 acres. I mean, that's like a I mean, if you calculate it out per home, if you was to break it up, that's like a eighth of a acre per house. I mean, I just my opinion. I'm so sick and tired of seeing all this crammed in onto one small lot and the congestion it's going to add out there virtually backed up. So, uh I mean just my personal opinion I would like to see something else done with this that is just cramming it all in to get everything that you can do. So Allison may I please?

Yes sir. What would they have to do? Say, say those units aren't selling. What would they have to do if they wanted to turn around and turn those into rentals? That would have to come back uh to the board of commissioners for a special use permit for a straight to rent community if 90% um basically you can rent up to 10%, you know, um without having to come back to the board of commissioners. But if they wanted to do the whole community or in excess of 90%, it would have to come back to the board of commissioners for a special use permit approval. Okay. So, what if they want to do 40%. So again, they would not have the option to be able to do 40%. They would have to, you know, they would have, and maybe I stated that incorrectly, but you know, they can do up to 10% without having to do uh the special use permit, but anything over that they would have to do the special use permit.

Okay. I yield, madam chair. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? All right. I yield the floor back to you, Chairman Simmons. Thank you, Madam Chair. Board of Planning and Zoning Board, you've heard the discussion, the questions, and the recommendations. Do I have a motion on S2026-07?

This is Frank Payne. Uh, I recommend approval of Z2026-07. A request for resign resolving for residential low density, heavy commercial, general uh commercial and uh light industrial to residential high density for a townhouse community located at on Veteran Memorial Highway. Second with the conditions and findings. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for a vote. All in favor of approving Z2026-07 as stated, please signify by raising your hand. All opposed. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Uh Z2026-07 comes to you with a recommendation for approval as read into the record with condition. Thank you so much, Chairman Simmons. Board of Commissioners, you've heard all the questions and answers. Do we have a motion?

Yes, madam chair. I'd like to make a motion to for approval of Z2026-07 in the form of a motion for approval with the said finding and conditions added. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion board? We have a motion and a second. All in favor, please indicate by raising your right hand. All oppose, raise your right hand. We have 41 vote and the motion carries. Thank you. I'll yield the floor back to you, Chairman Simmons. Thank you very much, Mr. Forl. Mr. Bailey. Good luck. Next agenda item, please. Miss Duncan, you're up again.

Next agenda item is S2026-08. This is Blackhorse LLC. Uh you will recall this was also deferred uh at the last meeting. This is a request uh for reasonzoning from heavy commercial with conditions just to a straight heavy commercial uh and a special use permit to allow a self- storage uh facility. This is in commission district number four. Um I will not revisit the entire application again. I will share with you the uh site plan and the uh applicant is here and can speak more to the site plan. Um this has been before you previously. This was denied previously. The applicant came back. They've done some work on their site plan. They've done some work on their architecture. Um and so that's what you see there uh before you. you had asked at the last meeting uh to defer so that we could bring you more information from their market study. So, the applicant did supply their market study. Um it does indicate a favorable recommendation um for being able to find a market for these units. I will certainly defer to the applicant to speak further about that. Um we also did a little bit of research to try to pull uh locations of the self- storage units. And so what you see here uh is a location. The blue diamonds are the location of where we have self- storage units already in Douglas County. Um, this one would be on the west side of Douglasville on US78. Um, so you can see there is a stretch between Douglasville and Vera in that area where you do not have um the proliferation like what um you're seeing uh on this map. So again, the staff recommendation is going to be to approve uh with conditions uh for the resoning and special use permit based on the following findings. So the proposed resoning and special use permit would not modify the intent, purpose or spirit of the comprehensive plan. And number two, the proposed resoning and special use permit would not adversely affect the public health, safety and welfare. Uh and again in regard to the conditions, uh the applicant is required to attend the development review committee if the board of commissioners are inclined to approve the use. Applicant is required to apply for the land disturbance permit within one year of approval. Uh and the applicant is

conditioned to the site plan dated January 20th, 2026 and included in the file for the application. Uh so this includes the site and the the site plan and the architectural plan depicted herein. And then our fourth condition uh unless otherwise determined by the county arborist, the project should be required to install a 20-oot landscape strip with three canopy trees, three understory trees, two evergreen coniferous trees and 18 shrubs per 100 ft of linear frontage and the requirement for three rail fence with brick supporting columns per article 4 division 4 section 4235A. Uh that concludes my recommendation and I'm happy to answer any other questions. I believe the applicant is here if you would also like to specifically ask about the the market study that was submitted. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Duncan. And since we've already had the public hearing on this matter, will not hold a public hearing tonight. Uh planning and zoning more. Do you have any questions of the applicant or of staff? I'd ask the applicant if if he would like to make any comments. Okay. Thank you very much. Hearing none, Madam Chair, I'll throw it over board of commissioners for any questions and comments you folks may have. Right. Board of Commissioners, do we have any questions? Any Okay, Commissioner Kenner Jones, you have the floor. Are the folks that did the market study here?

No, I I do not believe they are here, but uh the applicant is here and can speak in regard to any questions you may have. I do have just a couple. Terry Boomer, 130 East Main Street, Canton, Georgia, LJA Engineering. Uh, happy to answer any questions that I can. I did not prepare the study. I read it and it took me a couple of days to read. It's a long lengthy study, but they did a very comprehensive job.

So, so I read the study and it says that it is marginally favorable. And then I saw that they have three different designations of what favorable can mean. marginal favorable or highly favorable. So what makes this particular location only marginally favorable?

Well, the marginally favorable in my opinion comes from the fact that there are other u facilities that are offered but none like this. This is all internal climate control. It's not warehouse. It's not pullup. It's not um boat dock outside storage. It's not a noisy environment. So the marginally favorable is the lack of density in that neighborhood that is in that corridor that is growing and we are anticipating the growth in Douglas County in your county and the city in Winston um to to fulfill that need. The need being whether it be a baby boomer like myself or or the elderly or a college student or the um um military or the contractor or the general business. Those needs for climate controlled that'll take care of the mold and facilitate the other um items that the warehouses don't. It will make this in my opinion more than marginably uh um uh a need if you will. And then I saw that it was saying that in terms of this um particular location in use that it is like a type B

type a type B project for a type B uh facility. So the type B area um in the marginally um approvable or allowable or um um successful um all go hand in hand because it's a new test fit in the western side that isn't there today. We're going to be the first one in and the first one to come and we think that we will generate the market once we're up and running. And so in the event because it is lower density, there's already folks using storage facilities elsewhere. If you all are not able to lease this space out, what is your plan for that?

Well, I don't have that plan. I never I never consider the failure end of it. We're investing $7 million in construction cost on the site infrastructure and that's without the cost of the real estate. So I I don't believe that we want and then the soft cost that he's done with the architecture and the building contractor design plans and myself as well. I don't believe that we're going to invest the $7 million cost for a losing 7 million to start budget overruns. Let's contingencies up to 8 million. Um I think that I think that we've got a pretty solid market study. We look for the property that was already zoned, already had the conditions available to us and those were outlaid in 2008 and that's he did his due diligence and he I think he exercised his standard of care to to make sure that he his board holders his bank whoever the investors are has a successful project.

Thank you. I have no further question. Thank you. Okay. Thank you so much, Commissioner Kenner Jones. Vice Chair, you have the floor.

So, a couple of weeks ago, I called because there actually is two indoor complete uh storage facilities. Matter of fact, one just got built right there at the beginning of Highway 5 and 78 heading back towards I 20. And around the other side, there is another one all climate controlled uh storage facility. And there was no problem if I wanted to rent one tomorrow. They have plenty of vacancies. So I called in the other side down there near Villa Ricka and they also have plenty of vacancies. Well also is climate controlled. So I just don't understand the desire in such a rural area. I don't see where that market study as it did as Commissioner Ker Jones did say you know marginally favorable. I mean, I just don't understand the fit and I don't understand the reasoning for right there when we we are inundated with storage units all over this county and some just a few miles one way from this facility and a few miles from the other facility uh the other direction east and west we have storage facilities galore. So, I'm just not understanding the market and I'm not understanding the location. So I yield back, Madam Chair.

Okay. Thank you so much, Vice Chair. Commissioner Rexton, you have the floor. All right. Thank you. So one of the questions for the applicant is what makes this storage facility unique?

In my opinion, the completely well, it's four-sided brick. We're going to invest in a in a in a product that has aesthetically pleasing. It's came. It's secure. It's going to we're going to uh we've got some pretty nifty uh self kiosk button keypads and then the climate control aspect of it and I can't speak to Mr. Alvarez's um phone calls and his um research but the com the completeness of the internal component to this self storage I feel is unique to Douglas County. I don't think there's another one like it.

Okay. And you're talking about the physical storage. You're talking about the

physical. Yeah. The physical is going to to me bring the appeal because we're all internal. I don't have if you if you read some of the studies out there, if I've got drive up doors and warehouses, those are susceptible to crime. And I'm going to be all internal through lock gates and locked doors. and we're we're came and I I think that we're going to cater to more of the the business owner, the hobbyist, the lobby, the that that has a need for inventory, whether it be a 5x5 or a 5x10 or a 10 x 10 or a 10 x 20. They've got product and they've got material that they're not storing at home or they're not storing in a storefront somewhere. then we are opening it up to a a little higher clientele to rather than just I got too much stuff at home because that's not what I want. I don't want that tenant because that tenant sometimes might go unpaid. I want the higher end. I'm going to charge a little bit more for rent. So, I want the higher clientele to come to my to my units. And I think because we provide that um pretty rock there on the on the hill that they will come.

Okay. So you spoke about the rental rates and that's going to be a little higher. So that's going to be another differentiator for you versus some of the other storage facilities in that community. Is that correct? Yes. And it and primarily for the clientele I want to attract I want to provide a a better product than I can get from the warehouse. the mini warehouses. Okay, then last question. How many jobs will this create?

Well, so per full-time job on a day-to-day basis, maybe one, maybe two. On the the interim, whether it's the moving truck, the moving companies, the box tape, the box, um the containers, the the whatever those jobs, I can't tell you. the contractors, the the builders, the small business owners like myself that need space. It's a job supported rather than created. All right. Thank you, Madam Chair. You the floor back to you.

Thank you so much, Commissioner Braxton. Any other questions for Commissioner Mitchell? Okay. All right. I'll yield the floor back to you. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Planning and Zoning Board. Uh you've heard the discussion. Uh you've heard the recommendation. We have two items here to vote on and we'll take them separately. We uh do I have a motion on the zoning portion Z2026-14. This is Melissa Pulk. I'd like to ask for a denial on agenda item Z2026-14. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second.

I have a motion and a second. Planning and Zoning Board. Do we have any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All in favor of denying Z2026-14, please signify by raising your hand. Thank you very much. That's unanimous. Madam Chairman, Z 2022-14 come to you with unanimous recommendation for denial. Okay. Thank you so much, Chairman Simmons. Board of Commissioners, you've heard all the questions and answers. Do we have a motion? Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to deny Z2026-14. Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion, board? We have a motion in a second. All in favor of denial, please indicate by raising your right hand. All oppose. Okay, we have a 4-1 vote and the motion carries. All right. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Okay. Planning and zoning board. We need to take the special use permit even though the denial on zoning Z2026-08. Do I have a recommendation? This is Melissa Pulk. I'd like to make a recommendation of denial of agenda item S206-08 of a special use permit or a second.

I have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? Hearing none. All in in favor of the denial of S2026-08, please signify by raising your hand. Thank you very much. That's also unanimous. Madam Chair, S2026-08 comes to you with unanimous recommendation for denial. Thank you so much, chairman. Board of Commissioners, you've heard all the questions and answers. Do we have a motion? Yes, Madam Chair. I'd like to make a motion to deny S2026-08. Okay. Do we have a second? Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion board? We have a motion and a second. All in favor, please indicate by raising your right hand. All oppose. One with this 41 vote. And the motion carries. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Next item. We're going to take S2026-9.

Yes, sir. Good evening, Planning Zoning Board and Board of Commissioners. S2026-19 is a request for a special use permit to allow a dog boarding facility at 5291 Driscoll Drive. The lot is 10 acres and it's in commission district number four. The property is part of a large subdivision of parcels that share a common driveway. It's currently used as a single family home on the 10 acres. It's adjacent to the overlook at Riverpoint, a subdivision of 24 single family lots on a minimum of 1 acre. The subject property is heavily wooded currently with a single family home sided. The applicant proposed to establish a dog boarding facility on the property contemplating 10 individual units for housing of the dogs that would have to be soundproofed if approved with up to six dogs in each unit. The applicant proposes or proposal anticipates four additional vehicle trips per hour for pickup and drop off as well as having commercial heavy truck for transporting pets to and from the facility. Animals will be enclosed in facilities except during times of outdoor play between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The facility will have the owner operator living on site as well as four additional staff and an overnight supervision on site. Staff's taking a look at the relevant code sections. The subject property uses a shared private easement for Driscoll Drive where it terminates or thereafter after it terminates for access. It's not sufficient for the increased traffic along the ement. The addition of 10 enclosed units on the property for the housing of animals is an encarrier with the existing neighborhood surrounding and there are concerns for noise from barking dogs as well as an operation that would run for 24 hours a day with staff also coming to the property. Taking a look at the criteria, it's currently zone residential agricultural. You can see where Driscoll Drive ends in this picture a little better. It's served by a private drive currently. This is the applicant site plan with the 10 dog shelter units and uh an existing shed as well in the current house on the property. Staff's recommending denial of the special use permit based upon the findings that the use will modify the intent, purpose or spirit of the comprehensive plan. The use will adversely affect the public health, safety, and welfare. And the proposal offers an intensity of scale not contemplated without commensurate infrastructure improvements to the

private driveway to improve it to Douglas County public road standards and any additional measures to mitigate off-site impacts. That concludes my presentation. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Mr. Cron. At this point in time, I'll open the public hearing on this matter. anyone including the applicant or the applicant's representative that'd like to speak in favor of this application will you have two minutes per person for a total allocated time of 15 minutes. Is the applicant present? Is the applicant's representative present? Anyone wishing to speak in favor of this application? I will close the public hearing in favor and open the public hearing in opposition. Anyone wishing to speak in opposition to this application, please approach the podium. You have two minutes for a total allocated time of 15 minutes.

If you'd state your name and address for the record and in two minutes, please.

Shannon Bentley and I live at 5265 Driscoll Drive. So, I'm at one of the properties at the very end. I had no idea I'd have to speak. However, I moved to Win I've been in Douglas County for 25 years. I moved to Winston 10 years ago. Bought my property five years ago. I have 10 acres residential agricultural. Have a small homestead. I I don't I love that I live down a small private one-way drive easement where my neighbor's dog can sit in the road and I have to drive around. I love that my grandkid can like ride in my driveway and I never have to worry about that. I love sitting outside at night listening to my frogs down at the creek and my goats and my neighbor's donkey. I live there because I want that I love the Winston rural area having a dog facility. Like already we've seen increased traffic where people have driven down the private one-way drive eastment past my iron gate down my 500 ft driveway to just like oh I just want to see what was down here just because the propertyy's for sale. So, I can't imagine what would happen if there was suddenly a commercial dog facility with 50 dogs barking their heads off on and off all day and people coming and going. So, thank you. Please don't let them do this.

Thank you for your comments. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition to this application? Please approach the podium.

You'd state your name and address of the record, sir. Two minutes.

Mark Sloan, 5340 Pinnacle Point. Good evening. Um, again, I'm Mark Sloan. I serve as the president of the HOA for River Point Overlook. And we had several um residents that have expressed their concerns about the dog park or dog resort that was um proposed. And then some of the concerns, um, we have some of the families that are expressing about the the decibel noises and barking all day. Um, a lot of families are concerned about the property value. We have a lot of um, families there that have invested a lot in their properties and we are kind of tucked away in and nest away in a in a private little corner and that's going to increase traffic. Not a lot of people know where we live. We have really nice homes there, but not a lot of people know where River Point is. So, um I'm here on behalf of the community speaking in opposition of the dog park. Um safety concerns um from traffic was brought up. Not a lot of traffic only primarily just the residents flow through there. Um so that that would be a concern. Um impacts um on property value. Our position um about the business growth is not opposing business growth. We are all for small businesses growing and and contributing to to Douglas County, but there needs to be consideration when it comes to zoning and where these businesses are placed, particularly if they're adjacent to residential communities where people like myself sought out these communities to be quiet, to kind of be tucked away so we don't have to be, you know, within the hustle and bustle with all the some of the other communities and dealing with a lot of the traffic. And that's all we have. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Sloan. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition?

I'm Joey Moran. I live at 8185 Riverpoint Overlook. And I just would like to express that we're not just a residential area. It's a community. And it's a special community. We're kind of like what America's supposed to be. Rest of the country may get it wrong, but we get it right. We have all demographics in our community and we look out for each other. We care about each other. We have community events regularly. It's a nice place to live and what we don't want is businesses coming in and changing that. That's all. That's all I want to say. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your comments. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition, please? Good afternoon. During the time I've lived Name an address for the record, please.

I'm so sorry. Latoya How 5377 Pinnacle Point, Winston, Georgia. During the time I've lived in this community, there have been several occasions when animals have escaped, including wild pigs, horses, dogs. We have a whole family of turkeys. We have wolves and so much more. Our community goes above and beyond to make sure that we can find the owner of all of those animals. Often we have been unable to do so. It would be very concerning if we had dogs who may occasionally escape and we were unable to locate the owner of those dogs or reach the owner of the business. This is a concern for the safety of our community because as you heard, we are an amazing community. We have children playing outside. We have the buses coming in and out of our narrow street. And all of these things would be impacted by additional traffic coming in and out. On all occasions where our community gets together, we work as a unit. and we've come together as a unit tonight to stand in opposition of this amazing opportunity somewhere else. Thank you and have a great night.

Thank you very much. Anyone else wishing to speak? Well,

thank you for allowing me to speak. My name is Quinton Moby. I live at 8195 Riverpoint Overlook. I am in opposition of this for two or three simple facts. I have three daughters that live in my house with me. We are outside all of the time. We walk down these streets. I have our dogs with us on leashes the majority of the time. The streets are already narrow. People are already speed down these streets and I am concerned with the additional traffic that it is a safety danger for my daughters to be out there. Legal or not, we often drive our golf carts in the afternoons on these streets a few miles around the neighborhood and at any time, my daughters keep track of them. We've spotted 30 to 40 deer in the afternoon. So, it is a it's a safety issue. I believe I'm all for people having their own businesses and doing what they feel like within their property. But at this point, I think it is a legitimate safety concern to bring in the traffic down these streets itself. Thank you. Thank you very much for your comments. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition?

How we doing on time? Oh, 10 minutes left. Okay. Name and address for the record, sir.

Good evening. My name is James Ricks. I live at 5245 Driscoll Drive. Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. Glad all my neighbors showed up tonight. Uh thank y'all. Uh I am opposed to this due to the same thing that they they've said. For one thing, we're not opposing for progress. We like progress. It's just the area that it's in. We don't want it to change our way of life. We like to sit out, listen to the birds, enjoy a cup of coffee, look at the wildlife. my property adjoins this property and it would definitely hinder my way of life and my families. So, uh I respectfully ask the board to cons care carefully consider whether this proposed use is truly compatible with our neighborhood. Thank you very much.

Thank you, sir. Appreciate your comments. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Seeing no one moving, I'll close the public hearing on this matter. uh planning and zoning board. Do you have any questions? Because I know I do. I'd like to uh see if we can get the DOT up talk about the uh because this is a private road or private driveway that's uh involved here and that certainly makes a makes for a problem. Okay. the area.

You'd kind of go through what what would be required should this be approved. That area. This area. One more.

Okay, that'll work. No, that'll work. That'll work for me. Okay. Um to address the uh driveway access as we show there in uh circled in blue on the screen is the property in question. Per the code, a commercial business must have direct access to a paved county street. It's not there. So our when he came to DRC, we discussed with the applicant and said, "Okay, what would have to be done in order to achieve this?" Then there would have to be a road constructed from the existing um kind of a dark gray area which is Drexel where it ends. It would have to be constructed to his property in order to comply with the code. However, that's not his property. The property in question gains access uh through that narrow slither. It's probably 40 50 f feet and it could have been one of the um uh speakers that came up earlier, but that parcel um in question has to gain access to a driveway that gets them to the county road. So you you you have multiple challenges here. the county road would have to be extended and it would have to be the the property owner that owns that slither would have to be willing to sell the property in order to extend the road because it has to be a paved public street

and it has to meet all the requirements of a paved public street. It does 24 foot wide curb and gutter etwalks and gutters. That's what the code says. Okay. Planning and zoning board. Do you have any questions? Thank you. Hearing no questions, uh, county commissioner chairman, I will throw it over to the board for y'all's questions. Any questions? Board of Commissioners at this time. Vice Chair, you have the floor.

Well, first I want to start off by only in my district do you hear about people having to chase down donkeys, turkeys, chickens, and I love it. I love it and I hear you. I love that piece myself. Come home and not have nobody but your neighbors, having great neighbors, having a good community. I love that myself. But I also want to state what bothers me that happens on occasions is we all take time to be here from away from our families and long days and long nights to come and hear these applications and when they the person who applied for the application does not show up that that's bothers them. It bothers us because that shows lack of respect not only for us but for you as your community as they're trying to sell this to you. So, I have nothing further to say, Madam Chair.

Okay. Thank you so much, Vice Chair. Any other remarks for All right. I yield the floor back to you, Chairman Simmons. Thank you very much. I believe Mr. Cronin has something to add to this. Yes, sir. Just an update. I tried to call both numbers on the application. The property owner let me know that they canceled the contract with the applicant. So, that's why the applicant is not here tonight. It's almost a moot point, but we do since it is on our agenda, we're going to need to vote on it. We're going to move forward with it. Okay. Thank you very much. Planning and Zoning Board. Do I have a motion on S2026-9? This is Melissa Pulk. I make a motion to deny agenda item S2026-119 requesting a special use permit to allow dog boarding facility. Frank pay a second.

I have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? Hearing none. Hearing none, I'll call for a vote. All in favor of denying S2026-9, please signify by raising your hand. Thank you very much. That's unanimous. Madam Chairman, S2026-9 comes to you with a recommendation for denial unanimously. Thank you so much, Chairman Simmons. Board of Commissioners, you've heard all the questions and answers. Do we have a motion? Yes, Madam Chair. I'll make a motion to deny S2026-9.

Okay, we have a motion in a second. Any discussion, board? We have a motion in a second. All in favor, please indicate by raising your right hand. We have a five or unanimous vote and the motion carries. I yield the floor back to you, Chairman Simmons. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Next agenda item, please. We'll go back to S2025-15. Thank you very much. And might give them a minute to exit the premises. Those are my neighbors.

Okay.

Yes, sir. So, our next item is S2026-15. This is a special use permit to allow residential care facility at 2753 Trail Creek Circle. The lot is 46 acres. This is in commission district number two. The subject property is 1,220 ft, three-bedroom house, constructed in 1984. It's part of the Indian Creek Side Division. The applicants proposing the home as an owner occupied residential care facility. We've taken a look at the relevant code sections. The proposal, the proposed special use did not change the principal use of the property as single family residential structure. This would be accessory. There will be no additional changes to the exterior property required. The house will be subject to commercial building review where the applicant may have to make improvements to meet current life safety code and building code requirements. Personal care homes may require additional visits by emergency service personnel to provide medical care, but otherwise all other impact to public infrastructure and services align with the principal use as a single family residence. We taking a look at the special use criteria. It's in a PUD zoning district. That's that green indication. A single family home is cited. Staff's recommending approval of the special use permit based upon the following findings. Number one, the proposed special use permit would not modify the intent, purpose, or spirit of the comprehensive plan. And number two, the proposed special use permit will not adversely affect the public health, safety, or welfare. And that concludes my presentation. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you very much, Mr. Croner. At this point in time, I'll open the public hearing. Anyone, including the applicant or the applicant's representative, that would like to speak in favor of this, please approach the podium, two minutes per person for allocated time of 15 minutes. You state your name and address for the record, please.

Dana Jar Hayes, 2753 Trail Creek Circle, Lithia Springs. My legs went to sleep. Sorry, I don't want to pass out here. Um, so we actually, um, this residential, it's a residential property. Um, and we have, um, been a personal care home for some time. There was a administrative glitch and we did not reapply in a timely fashion. So, this is why we are asking for the I guess we have to now ask for the special use um, permit. But um our individuals that have lived in that home, I have one individual that's been there more than 10 years. Um one that's been with me for almost 10 years. Um they are part of the community. They're uh they know all the neighbors. Um we have met we continue to always keep up all code and we meet all the criteria of the state that's required. Um I did have an opportunity to speak with the uh code enforcement um person and uh because we had previously been approved he shared that there was nothing new for us to do. So

okay thank you very much. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor of this application hearing seeing no one moving I'll close the public hearing in favor and open the public hearing in opposition. Anyone wishing to speak in opposition? Again, seeing no one moving, I'll close the public hearing on this matter. Planning and zoning board, do you have any uh questions of uh Miss Hayes or of staff? Um yes, Miss L. I do actually if the applicant could come back to the podium. Thank you. Hi, how are you? I'm well. How are you?

I'm well, thank you. Um I just want to get a little bit of clarification. um when you had said that there was an administrative glitch, can you um expound on that for me? The we just it did not we did not apply in time the re the renewal the renewal. Um so in regard to state compliance, you are in you're in compliance with the state? Yes. Um and that would include like occupational tax certificate. Yes. Okay. And that's a valid state certificate right now. Um yeah. Well, let me think about that. Um because I believe when we applied for the business permit I I'm not sure if they go hand in hand.

Okay. Um I'm not sure. Thank you. Excuse me. Just to clarify, so the occupational tax that comes from the county, the local government and when they submit for the occupational tax, we do check for that they have all the lensure from the state at that time. So if the we currently held her application pending the outcome of this hearing but we would ensure that she has all lensure from the state. I was just wanted to clarify if she was currently in compliance with the state. Okay. Yes. So again from the from applying we're if we're being held then I guess as far as the occupational tax I guess we are not pending the approval.

And so that's just what you're talking about the administrative glitch. Yes. Okay. Understand. And um you stated that um you how many persons do you have in that home right now that you are ser that or your residents if you will or your persons that are staying there for your service? Four. Four. And how many bedrooms is that? Uh there's actually there's three two four bedrooms. Well, one two three four bedrooms. And then the uh we have kind of an additional uh the garage area was redone into um a kind of a living facility or living um area.

So four individuals up to four. Let me say that our capacity could be up to four. Um we normally have three. Um we do have four currently. Two, like I said, have been with us long term and then myself. Okay. So you currently live at the home. That's your that's your full-time residence. So you occupy one of the bedrooms. I do. And then you have four persons that you're servicing now. So you have two persons uh or one person in one room. Like how is that? What does that look like for occupancy? They have their own space. Okay. All right. Okay. I have uh I yield. I have no further questions. Any other questions? Planning and zoning board. Hearing none, Madam Chairman, I'll throw it board of commissioners.

Okay. Thank you so much, chairman. Any questions, board? All right. No questions from the board. Okay. Commissioners, if you'd have a seat. Thank you. Planning and zoning board, you've heard the discussions and recommendation. Do I have a motion on S2025-15?

This is Frank Payne. Uh, I recommend approval for S2025-15, a request for a special use permit to allow a residential care facility located at 2753 Trail Creek Circle, Litia Springs. Second. I have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for a vote. All in favor of approving S2025-15, please signify by raising your hand. All opposed. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. S2025-15 comes to you with a recommendation for approval.

Thank you so much, board. You've heard all the um questions and answers. Do we have a motion to approve? Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve agenda item S2025-15. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion, board? We have a motion and a second. All in favor, please indicate by raising your right hand. We have a 50 unanimous vote and the motion carries to approve. I yield the floor back to you, Chairman Simmons. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Uh, good luck to you. Best of luck. Uh, next agenda item, Mr. Cronin, please.

Yes, sir. Our next agenda item is S2026-16. This is a special use permit to allow a contractor's yard with outdoor storage at 6615 Harper Road in Liy Springs. The lot is 2.8 acres. This is in commission district number one. According to the occupational tax records, the property hasn't had an active business license since 2020. The last licensed building on the property was for a logistics company. A 6,500T warehouse building constructed in 1974 is cited on the property. The application for a contractor's yard with outdoor storage or that is what the application is for. Property will be leased to EJ Companies, which designs and manufactures access solutions for underground utilities. The tenant currently has another location in Douglas County. We taking a look at the relevant code sections. The property has had a few prior zoning actions. The property has been reszoned to light industrial since 1972. It's had various uses over time, some of which included outdoor storage. Based on the agency impact statements, the special use permit criteria support the request if the conditions are approved. Uh we taken a look at the special use criteria. It's light industrial from the zoning map. And here is a more updated site aerial for you. Staff's recommending approval with conditions of the special use permit. based upon the following findings. Number one, the use will not modify the intent, purpose, or spirit of the comprehensive plan. Number two, the use will not adversely affect public health, safety, and welfare. And number three, the use is consistent with historic uses previously observed on the property and would entitle the outdoor storage use. The conditions staff is recommending the following conditions. Number one, one condition, sorry. At the discretion of the Douglas County Engineer, the property shall be presented to the Douglas County Engineer for review by the development review committee. deficiencies identified in the agency impact statements or special use permit staff report shall be brought into compliance with current standards of the unified development code. And that concludes my presentation. I'll be happy to answer any questions.

And thank you very much, Mr. Cron. This point in time, I'll open the public hearing on this matter. Anyone, including the applicant or the applicant's representative that'd like to speak in favor, please approach the podium. You would have two minutes for a total allocated time of 15 minutes. You'd state your name and address for the record. And in 2 minutes,

Garrett McKenzie, 37 West Bell Bell bell Isles, Sandy Springs. Just some backstory on this property. Um, we bought this property, our company about 5 months ago. Um, historically, it had been used for for since I had known about it. We owned another property on the street for truck parking. When we bought it, there was about 150 one-off truck drivers that would park there overnight. They would leave every single morning, come back, store their vehicles at night. There's a couple of people there that were sleeping on the property. They would sleep on their trucks. Honestly, when we bought it, it was it was in pretty pretty rough condition. Since then, uh we've gotten all the trucks off. They've relocated other actual truck parking operating facilities. Um we put in we put in about already 300,000 of cosmetic work. I think some of the development review what they're looking for that aerial I was actually looking at today. It's it looks a lot better already. Um, we fixed all the fencing, the the you know, kind of cleaned up the parking lot, some of the signage where it looks like a different property um already. And so once we got all those trucks off, you know, I've heard a a lot of talks about all the truck traffic and everything. And um we we it was empty and you know, we put it out looking for a new new tenant for the property. And um EJ Companies, which is already operating in Douglas County, they were debating leaving Douglas County and looking elsewhere because their lease was coming up. their landlord wanted them out. We've since, you know, been working with them um to to be to occupying the property long term. Um and so Steve's here with EJ. I think he would just like to say a couple words about kind of their operation and how, you know, going from two 200 truck drivers that were coming in all hours of the night. I know there's a train tracks running right there. It's probably probably wasn't the safest thing if I had to imagine. Um so I think he's just going to talk about their operation a little bit.

Okay. Before you go, Yes, sir. Uh are you in agreement with the condition that is proposed should this pass? Yes. Yes, we are. Okay. Thank you very much. Name and address and two.

Good evening, sir. Uh my name is Steve Burton and I reside at 8093 Hartell Road which is in Grand Ledge, Michigan. Um I am the sales and distribution operations manager for EJUSA. Um, as mentioned, uh, EJ's been in Douglas County for 15 plus years. Um, during that time, Douglas County has been an outstanding partner, providing a supportive environment that has allowed us to grow and better serve the Georgia market. We are grateful for that partnership and fully committed to maintaining and strengthening our presence. Um, EJ is a fifth generation um, family-owned manufacturer of Americanmade infrastructure products, including we do manhole covers, gate valves, fire hydrants, uh, the ADA plates. Um, now you're going to recognize that every time you go by a manhole cover drives my family crazy. Um, our products play an essential role in ma maintaining safe and reliable public infra infrastructure throughout the region. Um, there's 11 employees at the the local facility uh who live in and around Douglas County. Um, in 2025, we delivered 3.2 2 million pounds of infrastructure castings and you know hydrants and valves um to uh let's see oh to 150 local contractors, municipalities and distributors directly supporting projects and public works throughout the community. Uh our operation is Monday through Friday only 7:00 a.m. to 4 pm to uh be respectful to the neighbors in the community. And um finally, EJ is uh really committed to environmental

to being environmentally responsible and safety focused organization that takes pride in maintaining a clean and orderly facility and being respectful engaged member of the Douglas County community. We value our relationship and look forward to continuing. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor of this application?

Seeing no one moving, I'll close the public hearing in favor and open the public hearing in opposition. Anyone wishing to speak in opposition, please approach the podium. You also would have two minutes per person for a total allocated time of 15 minutes. Jesse Briggs, 2407 Chestnut Law Loop, Lithia Springs, Georgia 30122. I'm the finance officer at Amvets's Post 118, which is directly below them. There was a piece of ground we've been renting for 30 years that underneath that is our septic lines for the post. There is a drainage ditch that runs down along the side of our building and through our property to Bankad Highway. They stated that they graded the parking lot and put gravel down and it looked a lot better. Well, now that's all down our ditch. It came down, plugged the drain that cast iron grain, flooded it, made it about 10 in a foot deep in water. It ran down the access lane and then turned and went out into Bankhead Highway covering over half of the westbound lane. There's still sand down there. Our parking lot is full of mud and gravel and rocks and so I think that there's needs to be something done about that. I had taken pictures but I'm new to this. I didn't know you didn't do that.

Thank you for your comments, sir. Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition? Okay, seeing no one moving, I'll close the public hearing in opposition. Planning and zoning board. Do you have any questions of the applicant or of staff? Spraring the concerns of your neighbors. Are you willing to have a conversation with them to address those concerns?

We're we're definitely willing to have a conversation. I um from you know, we haven't started doing any work out there. So, our contractor who's getting ready to do it, he said that, you know, it's been flowing the same for the last 50 years, but we're definitely, you know, willing to have a conversation about how we can, you know, I think it's a better neighbor than a bunch of trucks coming in and out all the time. And from what I've heard about the guy we bought the property from, he was not the nice neighbor. So, we want to be we want to be a good neighbor and they're going to they're a great tenant that serves the community. So, long as they're willing to work with us. Yeah, absolutely. All right. That's the end of my questions. Thank you. I just have one question. Were you aware of his concerns? Um, no. No, I was not. I was not. Okay. So, this is your first time hearing this? Okay. All right.

Any other comments? Planning and zoning board? Do we need to hear DOT on that? Do we need to hear from DOT on Would they uh engineer? Oh, okay.

To see if that's a county concern and what needs to be done about it. Yeah. So the condition that was uh read in is basically that the applicant has to come to me to address the the agency impacts. Um and at that time we can address the drainage concerns from the amvets and I do believe that DOT may u uh have some concerns about the driveway condition at the moment just from the large trucks uh previously on the property. Um, so we'll address all that when if this is approved, they'll have to come to us and we'll address it at that time. DRC take care of that. That's right. Okay. Good. Thank you. Any other questions?

I'll turn it over to the board of commissioners for any questions you may have. Board of Commissioners, we have any questions at this time? I did, but I think I think that the question is Well, yes, I do. Commissioner Mitchell, you have the floor. Allison, if you would. So to to reassure to how was that not even maybe caught or looked at with this drainage or I'm I'm a little taken back by that?

Sure. So the the uh folks from Ambassad did come to the community information meeting and there was a representative um at that meeting who I think did take information about it. So it may be something kind of internally that didn't get passed along. Again, I'm going to ask Travis to speak to what realistically can be done in this situation because I did come back from the community information meeting, reached out to Travis to say, "Hey, there's an issue with flooding, runoff, erosion, and things like that." So, he's the best person to address that.

Yes. So, uh after the community information meeting, Allison got in touch with me, said that there were drainage concerns. I wasn't sure the specifics of it. Uh I am now, and we can work with the applicant to fix it. It sounds like there just might be some drainage going somewhere that they that it shouldn't be going and it's washing the gravel, you know, onto the adjoining property. We can try to uh change the drainage pattern just by building up a small burm or something that just directs the water uh somewhere like into the woods or something like that. that

and I guess I'll add I'll add though if this is approved um is that something that needs to be kind of dealt with on the front end Allison and yourself or the neighborly honor system? Uh well, if you accept the condition, then the condition is saying that the applicant has to come to us um to address uh any deficiencies and so that would be included in the condition that currently

proposed. So you guys will catch it and or cover that situation. Yes, sir. it cuz I I I would I hope that we are good neighbors, you know, and I just didn't want it to kind of leave in the event that it was approved that we didn't address cuz that is concerning to me that that type of a runoff wasn't caught before now. So yes, I'm not sure u what exactly has changed between the time of the previous owner and the current owner uh that would have created the change, but um like you said, we'll hope that they're good neighbors, but when they come to us, we'll make sure that they're being good neighbors. Okay. All right. I I'll leave it there. Thank you again. All right,

Madam Chair, I yield back. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions for Thank you, Commissioner Braxton. Okay. I yield the floor back to you, chair. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Planning is on. You've heard the discussion and recommendations. Do I have a motion on S2026-16? It's Brandon P. I make a motion to approve application S2026-16. A request for a special use permit to allow a contractor's yard with outdoor storage located at 6615 Harper Road, Lithia Springs, Georgia 30122. With conditions with the conditions as read in by staff. I have a motion. Do I have a second?

Second. I have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All in favor of approving S2026-16 is read into the record with condition, please signify by raising your hand. Thank you very much. That's unanimous, Madam Chairman. S 2026-16 comes to you with a unanimous recommendation for approval with the condition that was read in. Thank you so much, Board of Commissioners. You've heard all the questions and answers. Do we have a motion? Yes, Madam Chair. I'd like to make a a motion to approve item S2026-16 uh with the said conditions and findings as approval. Okay.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion board? We have a motion and a second. All in favor, please indicate by raising your right hand. We have Okay, we have a 50 unanimous vote and the motion carries for approval. I yield the floor back to you, Chairman Simmons. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. Best of luck to you.

Our next agenda item, Mr. Croner.

Yes, sir. Our next agenda item is S2026-17. This is a special use permit to allow a convenience store with without gas pumps without gas pumps. Located at 3750 West County Line Road. The lot is 2.18 acres. This is in commission district number two. The property includes a multi-tenant retail space constructed in 1994. The building contains one or 12,000 square ft of space. The applicants proposing to use an existing suite. Um, so the it wouldn't apply to the entire property. It would just apply to the single suite. They proposed to sell prepackaged food, snacks, bottle, beverages, and general convenience retail items only. Staff's taking a look at the relevant code sections. It's been reszoned in 1984 to heavy commercial what it is now. Staff has field a request to open a tobacco and vape store at this location. The use is not permitted in the highway corridor for a tobacco and vape store. A convenience store may sell similar items. Will also have to stock a variety items uh convenience retail merchandise to be compliance to be in compliance with unified development code. Property has limited visibility from Highway 92 and will not have fuel pumps to anchor additional retail traffic. Staff taking a look at the special use criteria. It's currently heavy commercial. As you can see here, it's at the intersection of West County Line Road and Highway 92. Staff's recommending approval with conditions based upon the following findings. Number one, the use will not modify the intent, purpose, or spirit of the comprehensive plan. Number two, the use will not adversely affect the public health, safety, welfare. Staff's recommending the following condition. Number one, the special use approval is for a convenience store and for no other purpose. Should the use cease operations, the special use permit for a convenience store will not be transferred to new applicant without obtaining another approval for special use permit. That concludes my presentation. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. Cronin. At this point in time, I'll open the public hearing on this matter. Anyone, including the applicant or the applicant's representative, like to speak in favor, please approach the podium. Is the applicant present?

Okay. Would you like to speak in favor of the application? Okay, that's your choice. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor? Hearing no. Seeing no one moving, I'll close the public hearing in favor and open the public hearing in opposition. Anyone wishing to speak in opposition? Seeing no one moving, I will close the public hearing on this matter. Uh planning and zoning staff, do you have any questions of the applicant or of staff? Have question of the applicant. If you would approach the podium, please sir. Hi sir, good evening.

Good to state your name and address for the record. Yeah, my name is Kiran Chindagala. Address address 3750 West County Line Road, Lithium Springs. Okay. Uh I got a question. So you're looking at I know you said you first wanted a vape. Now you're looking at a convenience store in that at that intersection. Do you understand that there are three other uh gas stations in that facility in that area? Uh you have a um a Texico, you have a uh Marathon. Yeah.

And then you have another thing across the street, Engles. Engles. Yeah. And do you think that that is a good use for that that space that you're requesting at that time knowing that there are three other gas stations in that in that less than a good block convenience stores, gas stations, and you have a uh large grocery store, supermarket right across the street. This is my first business plan, sir. I'm trying to make a like a business. It's a good first one. I'm trying to build a good business. I'm I believe in myself.

Okay. That's why I'm trying to start with this is my first one. That's why. So, did you take any consideration of the things that the other convenience stores or gas stations around you that are doing same of the type services that you will be providing? Yes, sir. Okay. And I do have 3 years experience in convenience store. You have 3 years experience. Yeah. That's why I'm trying to build in myself, you know. Okay. So just you just know that there's a lot of competition in that area that you're trying to put a convenience store in. Okay. I'm trying to build my you know I I do have three years experience. I trying to build myself a new business. Okay. Okay. I have no further questions.

Any other questions? Planning and zoning. Uh, yes. I have a couple questions. Uh, do you now, uh, utilize that particular location? Because I noticed you had to look it up, your address. Uh, are you physically there? Yeah, I'm I'm physically there, sir. I'm working in nearby on convenience store there. In that location? In that in nearby that location. Okay. Tell us some of the things that you'll be selling. Will you sell any alcohol? No, no, no. I'm not selling alcohol. just I want to sell like a food uh drinks uh snacks like a little tobacco or like that things. So I don't want to sell any alcohol in that location.

The reason I was concerned because there is a a karate for kids that are right there in that same same location. U okay thank you. Thanks. Any other questions? Hearing none, Madam Chairman, I'll throw at the board of commissioners for questions you folks may have. Okay. Any questions? Commissioner Kenner Jones, you have the floor. Have you had an opportunity to speak with any of um the residents that live around this area? Yeah. I talked to so many people. Everybody say it's good for me. It's good opportunity for me. And that's why

and I asked that because and first I applaud you for wanting to be an entrepreneur and start your own business. But I have received so many calls and and complaints because people don't believe that a convenience store um in that area is just really needed. And to Mr. Payne's point, um there is a karate facility there and there is there's already concern that vape and tobacco products are being sold at the gas stations that are immediately adjacent to that. And so with it being so addictive to children, I would just have concerns about opening an additional location or opportunity for that. Um I I do like that you're not asking for the gas pumps, but um I just I just don't know that this is the appropriate location for that.

Yeah, because I'm last 3 years I've been this location. Ma'am, the season I believe I can make it like a good relationship with the customers. Everybody coming my my spot selling like fresher or more whole foods as opposed to the prepackaged convenience items. Yes, ma'am. Just drinks and candies. I have no further questions, Madam Chair. Okay. Thank you. Thank you so much, Commissioner Kenner Jones. Commissioner Rexton. Yes. Thank you. So again, just for clarification, when we asked for the address, was that the address of the business or your personal address? Yeah, that's business address, sir. Okay. What? I think we need your personal.

Yeah. 850 Duncan Street, Douglasville, sir. Okay. And so you've been you are a resident of Douglasville. Okay. Okay. Cuz it look like before you were reading your business address and I just wanted to make sure we were clear on the record that was your I'm living for years. Okay. And you said that you've been at this location. You sit at this location for three years or another location in the community? I've been in Douglasville, this DL in three years, sir. No, I mean the business. I'm sorry. Been in business for years, right? Different location. Okay. So, you've been at a different location in business that's not in Douglas County. No, in Douglas County, sir. You are in Douglas County. I just not at this specific Okay. Okay. But

Okay. So, are you in that community? Yes, sir. but not. Okay, I get it. Okay, so I just wanted to make sure I was clear. Okay, Madam Chair, I yield the floor back to you. Okay, thank you, Commissioner Raxton. Any other questions for it? All right, I yield the floor back to you. Thank you, Madam Chairman. You can have a seat. Planning and zoning board, you've heard the discussion. Uh the recommendation, do I have a motion on S2026-17? This or Curry, I make a motion to deny S2026-17, the request for a special use permit to allow convenience store without gas pump located at 3750 West County Lane Road. I have a motion to have a second. Frank Payne second.

Motion second. Do we have any discussion? Hearing none. I'll call for a vote. All in favor of the motion to deny S2026-17, please signify by raising your hand. Thank you very much. As unanimous, Madam Chair, S2026-17 comes to you with a unanimous recommendation for deny. Okay. Thank you so much, Chairman Simmons. Board of Commissioners, you've heard all the questions and answers. Do we have a motion? Yes, Madam Chair. I make a motion to deny agenda item S206-17. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion, board? We have a motion in a second. All in favor of denial, please indicate by raising your right hand. Commissioner. Okay, we have a 50 unanimous vote and the motion carries. I yield the floor back to you for denial. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Next item, please Mr. Cronin.

Yes, sir. Last agenda item is Z 20226-18. This is a reasonzoning request from General Commercial Light Industrial for warehouse and distribution at 999 Crest Boulevard. The lot is 1.83 acres. This is in commission district number two. The property includes two buildings designed for commercial and office uses. According to the tax records, the buildings are 9,000 ft² and 5,400 ft² and were built in 1980. The property adjacent to the high density res property is adjacent to the highdensity residential development, the Cresmark apartment homes and located in proximity to the Home Depot at Thornton Road, as well as other office professional uses off of Cresark Boulevard. The relocation of the hospital away from this area where it used to be, where the current Home Depot is in the early 2000s shift the potential uses for surrounding properties and impacted development patterns over the last 20 years. So the applicant proposing to renovate the building the buildings and use the property for warehouse and storage for a variety of tenants. We taking a look at the relevant code sections in 1987. It was reszone general commercial with the conditions staff's sorry both heavy commercial and light industrial zoning categories could be feasible options for the property. However, a heavy commercial zoning classification would be more compatible with the adjacent development. The use of the property has evolved after the original approval in 1984. A light industrial zoning category could be compatible with the commerce center future land use map. However, the subject parcel is adjacent to multif family residential development highway commercial development and based on the agency impact statements. The proposed use will not result in substantial impact to existing services or infrastructure. We taking a look at the zoning criteria. Property is currently the narrow piece with a little bit of flood plane and the pink is the 500y year flood plane, but it's zone general commercial currently. Here's a better picture. You can kind of see the buildings in this way. Staff's recommending approval with conditions of the request for resoning to heavy commercial as a more appropriate designation based upon the following findings. Number one, the resoning will not modify the intent, purpose, or spirit of the comprehensive plan. Number two, the resoning will not adversely affect the public health,

safety, and welfare. Staff recommends the following conditions if the board of commissioners is inclined to approve the resoning to heavy commercial. Number one, for the conditions, the property shall submit for any property renovations through the development review committee and commercial building permit review prior to releasing the space to a new tenant. All relevant code requirements shall be met. Number two, the fence on the property shall be brought into compliance with the requirements of article 3, section 310 of the unified development code in regard to standards for office, commercial, and industrial use. Number three, redevelopment of the property shall not exceed 25,000 square ft of leasable space under the roof subject to requirements of the development review committee and Douglas County Building Department. Staff recommends the following conditions if the board of commissioners is inclined to approve the resoning to light industrial. Number one, the property shall submit for any property renovations through the development review committee and commercial building permit review prior to releasing the space to a new tenant. All relevant code requirements shall be met. Number two, the fence on the property shall be brought into compliance with the requirements of article 3, section 310 in regard to standards for office, commercial, and industrial use. Number three, redevelopment of the property shall not exceed 50,000 ft of leasable space under the roof subject to the requirements of the development review committee and the Douglas County Building Department. Number four, the use of the property shall be limited to warehouse, warehousing, and storage only. Number five, vehicle parking on the property shall be limited to fleet vehicles and no more than five tractor trailers, tractor trailer cabs, or shipping containers used as may be stored on the property at any given time. Number six, tractor trailer traffic to the property must be contained completely on the property and may not queue onto Quest Crest Boulevard at any time. And that concludes my presentation. I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you very much, Mr. Croner. I'll open the public hearing on this matter. If the applicant, the applicant's representative would like to speak or the public would like to speak in favor, please approach the podium. If you'd state your name and address for the record, sir, and then two minutes.

Good evening. Uh Taylor Smith, 1411 Bates Court, uh Brook Haven, Georgia 30319. Thank you, commissioners, for letting us uh hear our our zoning case today. Uh just a bit of um history on this property. Um it's been pretty derelict in derelict condition for about the past uh 20 years. It had a flood and then as a point of that flood it never really was repaired. So our intention is to go ahead and restore it uh back to its original use which was always for warehouse and industrial. Um so that's um that's the intention of our our development. So I don't really have much else to say other than we are we do agree with all of the recommendations and findings for the light industrial use. Um, again, that is what our uh what we're seeking is a light industrial. So, that's it.

If you too much, anyone else wishing to speak in favor? Uh, seeing no one moving, I'll close the public hearing in favor and open the public hearing in opposition. Anyone wishing to speak in opposition? No. When moving, I'll close the public hearing on this matter. Uh, planning and zoning board. Uh, do you have any questions of Mr. Smith or of staff? I have one, Mr. Smith. Staff is recommending uh heavy industrial instead of light industrial. Are you opposed to heavy commercial? Heavy commercial. Are you opposed to that or why?

Yes, sir. I am. We're seeking light industrial. We really want to have the ability to market this to warehouse users, uh, contractors, things of that of that nature. and we think it would limit us in our ability to market the property to those types of uses. Okay. Any other questions? Planning is zoning board staff or or Mr. Smith? Yes. I have a question for the applicant. Um knowing as you stated before like there's been no activity on the property due to a previous flood. Correct. Um and so clearly whomever had probably had that property

re kind of experienced the flooding and then realized that this is in fact a flooding area. So, as you being the new prospective owner of it and building, so you're saying warehouse, what are your thoughts on that? What are you doing to make sure that the flooding doesn't happen? Because I'm assuming you're going to take this property, build it, and then sell it or lease it out to someone like what are what are what are you doing to make sure that flooding isn't a factor?

We'll do whatever we can to mitigate the flooding um from a development perspective, but also one thing we will get is flood insurance, too. We've already talked to our insurance agent and they and they said it would get coverage for flood insurance. You know, some things just flood and recognizing that this is in a flood that most of the land behind us is in a flood plane. This property itself, just to be clear, is not in the in a flood zone. Say it. Yes. I would love Yes.

So, the rear of the property uh is in flood plane. Uh but that's the undeveloped part. Um the buildings and the parking area on are on the front part look slightly higher. Uh I'm assuming that it was flooded in 2009. I don't know that for sure. Um but that 2009 flood was greater than a 100red-year flood. So there were areas outside of the flood plane that uh that did flood uh in that event. So, um we don't expect that to happen. Like there's a 1% chance of that happening on any given year, but um per our codes, uh they can't do any work in the flood plane. Um and but they are allowed to develop and use the property outside of the flood plane, which is where the buildings and the parking are.

Understand? Thank you. Thank you. No further questions. Any other Any other question? planning and zoning. Hearing none, Madam Chair, I'll turn it over to board of commissioners for questions you folks may have. Okay. Thank you so much. Board of Commissioners, any questions? Commissioner Kenner Jones, you have the floor. This a question is for the applicant. Um, thank you. Have what, if any, efforts have you all put into looking into maintaining this as a commercial um general commercial space as it's currently zoned to try to get more retail options or things like that that people in the community want to see in that area?

Sure. Um this property just given its nature on a side street, it doesn't have much retail frontage. Um it's not really conducive to retail opportunities, unfortunately. We we do do um as a firm we do a lot of retail in in addition to industrial. So if if if we could have found a way to make it retail I would have. It would have been to our advantage but in this instance it just unfortunately doesn't it's not conducive. And are you all aware of the amount of unused warehouse space in Douglas County currently?

We we track all of that but I'm not concerned. I mean, we the the type of space that we're going to have marketing is more to smaller tenants, which is at a premium, which not a premium, but it's it's a very desired. It's hard to come by. Um, so yes, there there's significant amount of big box space available. Well, I just I feel like we've heard that argument before that people have said they're going to do warehouse spacing and that they're going to cater to smaller warehouse. examples that people have used are like crossfit spaces or um stuff that doesn't take, you know, not the folks that are looking for 50,000 square feet plus. Yes, ma'am. And then it gets approved and then they still sit empty. So that would be my concern.

That's the that's the fortunately the risk that we're we're going to have to take. That's our business plan. I yield back, Madam Chair. Okay. Thank you so much, Commissioner Kenner Jones. Any other remarks, board? All right. I yield the floor back to you, Chairman Simmons. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Planning and Zoning Board. You've heard the discussion and a recommendation. Uh, do I have a motion on uh Z 20226-8? Or Curry, I make a motion to deny Z2026-18 for request to reszone uh for general commercial to light industrial for warehouse and building distribution located at 99 Crestmart Boulevard, Lithia Springs.

I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. I have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for a vote. All in favor of motion to deny Z2026-8, please signify by raising your hand. All opposed. Madam Chairman, Z2026-18 comes to you with a recommendation for denial. Okay. Thank you so much, Chairman Simmons, Bo Commissioners, you've heard all the questions and answers. Do we have a motion? Madam Chair, Madam Chair, I make a motion to deny agenda item Z 2026-18. Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second on the floor. Any discussion? Board. We have a motion in the second. All in favor of denier, please in the case by raising right hand. We have a 50 unanimous vote and the motion carries for denial. You have the floor back to you, Chairman Simmons. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Uh, do we have any other business to come before the board? Uh, Miss Duncan, no other business come before the board. I declare the planning and zoning board adjourned. Madam Chair. All right. Is there any other business that come before this body? If there's no, do we have a motion to adjourn? So move.

We have a motion and a second on the floor. All in favor of adjourning, please indicate by raising your right hand. We have a 50 unanimous voting. The motion carries. Good night.