Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

I'd like to call the order the May 7th planning commission meeting. Uh please stand for the imitation by Russell Wilder and the pledge of allegiance.

Y'all would bow with us. Dear Lord, we want to thank you for the rain. We surely needed it. Thank you for the this whole beautiful community that we live in, the blessings we we have living in this country, in this great state. Uh we ask you look over us this evening, that we do the right thing, that we we prayerfully contemplate what we're hearing and and discuss when necessary. Uh we ask that you look over all of our first responders that that even though we don't see them, are looking out for us day and night, every day. And our military overseas right now as we're engaged in foreign conflicts. Uh we ask that you uh give us all that took time to come to this meeting tonight a very safe ride back to the house this evening. All these things in Jesus name we ask. Amen.

Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We do have a full quorum tonight with one absent, but we do have a quorum. Gentlemen, you've had the uh opportunity to review the minutes from the previous meeting, April 16th. I need approval of those minutes. Mr. Chairman, motion to approve the minutes from the April 16th meeting. Second.

I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. And gentlemen, you've had an opportunity to review the agenda for this evening. I need approval for that. A motion to approve tonight's agenda. Second.

I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Before we begin, I'd like to take a moment to clarify that the planning commission is a recommending body to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners. The decisions made on reszoning and variance requests tonight will be forwarded to the commissioners for final action on May 19th, 2026. If you wish to address the board of commissioners at their meeting, please see Miss Mixon. To obtain a request to speak form, any request with a public hearing will have a minimum of 10 minutes permitted per side for the presentations of opinions, data, and evidence by proponents or or opponents of a request. The applicant will be allowed to speak first and any member of the public may speak after. Either side may seed their time during the hearing if they so desire. Getting into the debate agenda, we have new business. We have a massage operator's license H1A1. Will sheriff's request for a a massage operator's license of Balance Body Massage LLC 44 Columbia Road sweet 100. Uh they're doing both on premise and mobile massage services and they met all the crimes of the ordinance. Staff recommends approval.

Thank you. Gentlemen, do I have a motion? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the massage operator's license for Balanced Body Massage LLC to provide a massage therapy at 440 Columbia Road, Sweet 105, and Mobile Massage Services. Second. I have a motion on the floor and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. We have a two final plats. Uh H1B1 Greenpoint phase 4. Danielle.

Yes, sir. This is the final plat for phase four of Greenpoint off Appling Harlem Road. This shows the location of this phase on the north side of the development. It is currently zoned planned residential development. And this section includes 62 single family lots with a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet and an average lot size of 8,94 square feet. The minimum setbacks are 25 ft from the right ofway, 7 and 1/2 ft from the side property lines, and 10 ft from the rear property lines. Uh sidewalks and street trees will be provided on both sides of the road and 23.2 acres of open space is included in this section. Uh this section also includes the connection to Hulcom Road which satisfies the zoning condition on Greenpoint for a second access uh at 300 lots. Uh this shows the existing site. You can see it is still under construction and staff recommends approval.

Thank you Danielle. Gentlemen, can I get a motion? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the final plat for Greenpoint phase 4 off Apple Harlem Road. Second. I have a motion on the floor and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Next item, final plat H1B2 Neptune Trail. Danielle.

Yes, sir. This is a final plat for several parcels off Neptune Trail to replplat the legal easements for these parcels. Uh these properties are located off Gails Road on the north side of Cobam Road in our zone residential agricultural. Uh the current plat provides access to the seven lots um with no road access via two easements uh that cross parcel one. as you see on the screen there, one along the southern property line and one roughly across the middle of the parcel. Uh the one across the middle of the parcel is creating um some issues in selling that property. Uh the applicants originally wanted to just relocate that easement uh to essentially parallel the other one along the south property line. Uh but there were concerns with kind of the feasibility of that in the long run as far as 911 access and if both driveways would actually get constructed and things of that nature. Uh so the proposal is to actually combine those easements into one wider 60- foot easement uh with a requirement to develop that easement with a 20 foot wide gravel driveway. Um 20 foot is the minimum typically required for fire access. Uh it is wider than what we typically require in an easement situation like this where it is just a driveway. Uh, but that's kind of the the trade-off that we're giving for allowing this one driveway access easement to serve more than four lots as would normally be allowed. We're asking for a little bit wider road um developed to kind of fire code standards. Uh there is also a note on the plat that parcel one, which is the only one that could be further subdivided under the current zoning, um cannot be subdivided. So there will not be any additional lots off of this easement beyond what is shown on this plat with that condition. Uh and with those two requirements, staff is recommending approval.

Thank you, Daniel. Gentlemen, can I get a a motion? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the final platform for Neptune Trail off of Gails Road. Second. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor raise your right hand. Motion carries. Getting into the public hearing. H1C1 uh VA26-05-01. Danielle.

Yes, sir. This is a request for a variance to building setbacks at 417 Hastings Place. This shows the location of the property in the Cambridge subdivision off Stevens Creek Road, and it is currently zoned R3 single family residential as are all of the surrounding properties. This shows an aerial of the site. Um you can see on the site uh on the south side of the property uh the pre-existing um carport structure. Uh you can see on the left hand side of this picture as well the existing site photo um where that structure has been extended closer towards the road. Uh so essentially uh what we are dealing with is this carport orter awning on the south side of the house. Um it is constructed to one foot from the property line. Uh the required building setbacks in this zoning district are 10 ft. The original portion of this carport has been in place since 1995. Um that is far enough back that the county does not retain permit records for it. So we cannot determine if it was constructed with incorrectly issued permits or without permits at all. Um we simply don't have the records to determine that. Uh it was extended earlier this year. Um and there was a complaint submitted to code enforcement that triggered submitt of a building permit which could not be approved um since the structure is within that side setback and ultimately led to this variance request. Uh so these are photos from the site visit by code enforcement in February uh that show the uh awning under construction and then the existing site with the finished structure. Uh so the issue here is that you know the structure has been built without approved building permits and within the side setback. Uh the applicants have submitted HOA approval and they have submitted that since it's behind the privacy fence um and you set back from the garage and such that that it's largely not visible from the road. Uh the HOA apparently agrees with that kind of reasoning and has agreed that it is in keeping with the you neighborhood

aesthetic. Uh so from that side, we're we're probably less concerned with the impact on the neighborhood in this case with the HOA approval. Uh but setbacks do exist for a reason to limit impact on adjacent properties. Um and obviously this case has come before us due to complaints from the adjacent property owner. Uh so that does indicate some potential for negative impacts to that adjacent property. And with the structure having been built without permits and within the setback, uh we are recommending that the portion of the structure that was added this year be removed and just the original portion that's been in place for about 30 years be allowed to remain. So this shows the existing site and the applicants use this space for parking of the golf cart and for play area for their grandkid. And again, we are recommending approval um with the condition that the side setback is reduced only for the original awning constructed in 1995 per the submittal with the more recent addition to be removed within 60 days of approval by the board of commissioners. And then Stormwater has noted that an easement encroachment agreement is required that has already been submitted and is under review in conjunction with this variance request.

Thank you Daniel. Will the owners Steve or Tammy Pi or and or applicant Tammy Pi would like to come forward and add anything to the narrative? If you need to speak, come to the podium, please, and state your name and address for the record. Yes, sir.

Hi, I'm Tammy Pi. Um, owner of 417 Hastings Place in Martinez. Um, this started I was we play under the existing carport area with my two-year-old grandson that I keep five days a week. He's a handful and he loves the outdoors and we spend a lot of time out there. Uh, we were out there one winter day when it was fairly decent warm weather. He kept riding his little tricycle out from under the carport cover into the rain. It was raining that day and I kept having to he thought it was fun. He thought it was cool. But I got to thinking, I kept having to go out and pull him back in. And we eventually had to take him in the house screaming and hollering because he didn't want to go in because he wouldn't stay out of the rain. And I just thought, why don't we just extend this, finish covering it? We've already covered more than half of it. And just finish the existing cover. We have put numerous of these covers up over the years at properties. We have rental properties. My son had a property as well that we purchased one for back years ago. Been a few years since I had bought one, but I called the company. It's Town and Country Industries. It's in Pooler, Georgia. Uh my husband agreed it was okay to do this. It was a great idea. We could get the golf cart out of the garage, have room for his wagon and his strollers. Put his rideons under there. We've since put a sandbox, a little roller coaster, his little basketball goal bat and TE's. Uh because we do spend a good bit of time out there when we're when weather's permitting and we've got the time. Um I ordered the I called them. I ordered it. We picked it up. I called the man that had worked with my dad for many years. My dad's been gone 15 years, but he installed many of these covers with my dad. I knew they were very well built, well constructed. Um, I knew this man knew what he was doing putting them together. Our existing one survived pollen. You know, we went through a hurricane with it. So, we began to put it up. Um, when the code enforcement officer came out and told us she had had the complaint and she took pictures, she said that, you know, we didn't have a building

permit. And she said, "But I can see why you think that you didn't need one because you're just extending an existing one." And she said, "I'm not sure that you do." She said, "But I've taken pictures. I'm going to turn them into my boss, and if you will check with our office tomorrow or the next day and just see what they have to say, you can apply for it while you're there." and I said fine because I definitely don't want to cause anybody any problems and I definitely don't need anymore. So, but um they did tell me I did need the permit. I filled it out that day while I was in the office and I think it was a couple of days later I received an email stating that it because of I've never knew what a variance was or that I needed one, but they told me I was going to need the variance and it would be helpful if I had, you know, my neighborhood and all, you know, the neighborhood was in agreeance with it. So, that was my hold up. I mean, I filled out all the paperwork immediately. Um, I got a letter from the neighborhood. Uh, I had to wait a couple of weeks for him to finally send it to me and he mailed it to me. Uh, that's saying we were fine. You know, we're well within our covenants, that there was nothing wrong and um, it was okay. And it's been a wonderful addition. We spend a lot of time out there where we're well protected. I've got a privacy gate at the front and the back of it. It's a wonderful play area. I don't have to worry about him running into the street, getting into our pool in the backyard. He's he's contained in there. I can sit there and watch him. And we want to go for a golf cart ride, we just open the gate and jump on the golf cart and go. And um you know it the one that we have now has not caused a problem to anyone. And um this is the exact same thing that is there. It's complete with a gutter system that drains down to our driveway. I had submitted a picture that shows the gutter. Then uh so there's not all the runoff we get is from the property above us. We get that constantly. We've dealt with that ever since we've lived there. Uh we moved in in '92. But um like I said, it's the exact same as what's there. It's just a smaller

version of it extended forward. Okay. We have any questions? Thank you. Thank you. Any other member of the audience would like to speak in favor? Anyone would like to speak against? Come forward, please. State your name and address for the record, please.

Thank you. Uh Joe Mitchell. I live 418 Hastings Place, across the street and down a lot. The lots don't exactly line up. I appreciate y'all. Let me speak for a minute. I'll try not take too much time. I've lived there since 05, across the street from Steve Tammy Pie. Um their house makes my house worth more. Um, their house is in excellent condition. Um, I can see their home out every front window in my house. I have no problem with their various requests. I support it. Um, their yard's one of the nicest ones in the neighborhood. And I, like I said, I can see it out every window. I was a homeowner's president years ago. They were in compliance with the covenants at that time. The covenants haven't been updated and so I assume they still are in compliance and I just support the request for a variance.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Is anyone here would like to speak? Yes. Come forward, please, and state your name and address for the record. You have five minutes.

I'm Lee Prim. I live at 460 Cambridge Way in Martinez, which is uh the circle, and that's an interior street. I was a previous homeown uh HOA uh president and um I had no problems with that. Um if you if you looked at the pictures when they were showing the house, that house is probably the most attractive house in the neighborhood. Even with that structure, uh it serves a useful purpose. It it ensures the safety if you would of her grandchild uh when he's out at play with with someone out there. uh as you aware 2-year-olds are you know what they're doing one second but the next second you're not too sure where they are. Uh but with the gate up there uh they've ensured the safety of that child. If you look at this side, excuse me, I had surgery u minor medical procedure today. So if I see him a little off, bear with me. If I fall down, call EMT. Um if you look at their driveway, it slopes to the street. So without that gate up there, without that fence, that child is is an accident waiting to happen. And uh they've taken all due um uh they've taken prudent issues to ensure that that doesn't happen. And um you know, I just think moving with a that taking that away is is uh reducing the safety factor here. I also would like to point out that as um when I was HOA president I started something called the yard of the month yard of the year and I think it's important here to note that um they won the yard of the month and then they won the yard of the year. Their house is best looking house out there. I mean, it's the best looking house with that uh

requested variance and it's not going to improve or detract from that house one way or the other. Whether that shed is or that overhang is taken down or left, it serves a purpose and I would greatly appreciate a positive response from the board in recognizing that. Thank you. That's it. Thank you. Thank you. Is anyone here would like to speak against or in favor? Come forward, please.

Couple state your name and uh address for the record. Yes, sir. Uh I'm Mike Mills. I have no uh stake in the neighborhood uh at all. I'm not u aware of the area, but looking at the area, I may have suggest a maybe a a compromise. Um the child is how old? Two, three. Why don't you leave it up? Let them leave it up till they're five and then have a a written agreement to take it down when the child's old enough to run out in the street. That's all I have to say. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Council Member. Mr. Councilman, I'm sorry. My first time addressing anyone like this before. State your name and address for the record.

My name is David Waringer. I'm the adjacent property owner at 415 Hastings Place, Martinez, Georgia. Um, Mr. Chairman, before I begin my testimony, I provided the clerk with a formal note. I'm recording these proceedings to ensure a verbatim transcript is made for judicial review potentially in the future. I ask that this notice in my evidence packet be formally entered into the case. File, please. Mr. Chairman, I am the adjacent neighbor at 415 Hastings Place. Please let the record reflect I'm recording this case. The staff report confirms that denying this variance would not deprive the applicant of any reasonable use of their property. And I'm quoting the staff. Under your own guidelines, there is no legal hardship and this variance must be denied. And there's no precedence. This is not about an old car carport. This is about something they expanded in 2026. They built an total disdain for the law and the codes that you all enforce so strictly and thankfully we're next to Richmond County and there's a distinct line of difference when you cross that boundary. It's these sorts of variances, these one-offs that cause Columbia County that could cause us to become something we don't want it to be. Your codes are in place for a reason. Construction began February 7th. They didn't have a permit. The county denied their permit February 12th. On February 14th, my video evidence shows them continuing construction anyway. They didn't seek a variance because they had a hardship. They sought a variance because they got caught. The applicant submitted a letter from the HOA dated March 17th claiming defenses in compliance. Look at my photos that I submitted near in your pamphlet. My photo from March 24th, you'll see the applicant physically destroyed my fence. The previous photo, March 23rd, shows my fence aligned with my fence. They destroyed my fence the next day 15 ft of it and installed their own. The HO letters of fabrication.

It approves a fence that did not exist for another week. You cannot base illegal variance on implausible evidence. We formally asked the county for help for the first time on August 22nd, 2025. Shortly after things quieted down again, but it not last didn't last for long. What you see in the video clips from August 2025 and February 7th and beyond is just they're just that small clips small instances of what myself and others have tolerated for years and years on a continual regular basis and cadence multiple times a week. Our requests for help from the county felt silent and relevant detail is nowhere to be seen. Any complaint retrieved through an open records request you can see that on August 2025 the complaint is available in that request. It's heavily redacted or not filled out whatsoever. contains no photos, no mention of what they're actually doing, no nothing. And just to close, the burden of proof on this application, the burden, I'm sorry, the burden is on the applicant to prove the 1995 structure was permitted. You even admit you don't know if it was built in '95 or before or after. No one knows. So, the burden of proof is really on the owner to prove that they failed. Furthermore, the structure facilitates unpermanented commercial business. As my video of the more fleet proofs that you can see site and I have words right transcripts, I ask you to follow your own precedence of VA 2171 deny this request and mandate the removal of these unpermitted structures from the drainage easement, please. And that's all I have to say. I appreciate your time.

Thank you. Thank you, sir. Anyone else here would like to speak? Gentlemen, can I get a motion, please? Mr. Chairman, I can make I make a re recommend approval with conditions for file VA260501 variance to reduce building setbacks at 417 Hastings Place. Second.

I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Next item H1 sorry H1C2 variance uh 26-05-02 4044 Mullikin Road and that is I'm sorry got to go to the next page Danielle no it's Dylan I'm Sorry, I see it now. Dylan is yours.

Yes, sir. Uh, as you said, this is an application for a variance to section 90-144, placement of buildings and structures. Um, the applicant is seeking an 8ft tall fence where a 6ft tall fence is only allowed. Uh, this shows the location of the property on the southern side of Blackstone Camp Road or sorry, Mullikin Road. Sorry about that. Um, this parcel is zoned R2. Um, however, of note, there is some R1 zoning around. Um, 8ft tall fences are allowed in that zoning district. Uh, that just adds a little bit of uh context that the the uh proposed fence with this application isn't going to necessarily stand out as much. And, you know, given that context, um, this is an aerial view of the photo of the uh site and this is the existing site. Um, the applicant is requesting the 8ft tall fence. um due to uh some topographical downs slope that's also pictured in some site photos that we have here. Um as you can see uh her house as well as uh the neighboring houses often feature above ground pools or raised decks um along with the slope. um those create a lot of visibility between these rear yards. And so she is requesting uh due to the existing conditions of the site that she might be allowed to install her own 8-ft tall fence. Um she does not intend to uh touch or alter in any way her neighbor's existing 6ft fence and so she is simply proposing to install her own 8-ft tall fence. Um given the topographical issues uh we the county is uh comfortable with this request and recommending approval.

Thank you Dylan. Would the owner applicant Cindy Ibram would like to come forward and add anything? Okay. Thank you. Any other member would like to come forward and speak in favor or against? Gentlemen, can I get a motion? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to recommend approval of file VA26502 variance to allow 8 foot fence at 4404 Mullikin Road. Second.

I have a motion and a second. All those in favor raise your right hand. Motion carries. Next item, H1C3. This is RZ26-05-01. A reszoning from RA to P to PUD. And this is Danielle.

Yes, sir. This is a kind of multi-part request. It includes a reszoning of two parcels from uh residential agricultural to planned residential development as well as revisions to the existing PRD for Tillery Park. Uh so the primary parcels involved for the resoning piece are kind of these two to the south. Um and then Tillery Park is to the north of those and we do have some revisions there as well. Uh so again the two parcels under consideration to the south are currently zoned residential agricultural. Uh Tillery Park itself is already a planned residential development. Uh you do have Quaker null to the west which is R2 single family residential and then other RA properties along Ritsboro Road. Uh these properties are currently undeveloped and you can see the existing site here um with the roadside fencing and this is the current plan for Tiller Park. Uh the revision includes some changes to the layout that we'll see in just a moment as well as a revision to the development standards for the activity fields in future sections of this development. Uh county code for an act for a community recreation area does require a 20- foot structural buffer. Uh the applicants are requesting to remove that requirement um stating that they want the residents to be able to see into these areas. um county codes intended to provide separation which kind of these are kind of separate and competing planning interests that we want to protect the neighbors from some of the noise and things that can go along with the activity fields but allowing residents to see into them helps create some community and provide some eyes on the street some safety uh benefits as well um in this context within their own development uh the applicant's desire for that community feel is understandable and acceptable and we don't have any concerns with that revision Uh on the resoning side, the applicants are proposing to reszone uh these two parcels fronting on Writesboro Road to

planned residential development. Uh they are using similar development standards to those in Tillery Park, although this would be a separate development. Uh they are proposing a minimum lot size of 5,500 square ft uh with 7 and 1/2 ft side setbacks. Uh the development standards would allow for backlighting of the entrance sign similar to what exists at Tillery Park. Uh and you can see the several park spaces um on here. The similar concept that all of the lots should be within a 7 minute walk of those parks. Uh they are proposing a smaller rear setback for this development at 5T. Um that does intrude somewhat into the typical drainage and utility easement that's on the rear. Uh so there there's some things to be worked out there um as this development moves forward. Uh the primary access to this site would be from Writesboro Road, but it would connect into Tillery Park and that's where you see some of the other revisions to Tillery Park is in the adjacent lot layout and road layout to encourage the connectivity between these developments. Um ultimately with this connection, this gives this development um Ligh Hill Creek, Tillery Park, and Canterbury Farms um multiple access points because essentially you'll be able to get out at this access on Riceboro Road, the main Tiller Park entrance on Baker Place or out to Chamblan um by going through Canterbury Farms. So that greatly um enhances connectivity in this area. Uh this concept plan has been reviewed in conjunction with the resoning request and there were no um there were very few additional concerns. Um the state waters determination has already been completed and should not impact the plan. Um there are some wetlands areas on this site that are shown on the concept. Um the applicants believe those are isolated and can be filled as part of this development but that determination ultimately rests with the core of engineers. In terms of our future um land use, uh

this property is in the medium density residential character area. Uh this area is intended to provide for additional single family residential development. Um and that is what this proposal is for is additional single family and so it meets the intent of that character area and staff is recommending approval. Thank you Danielle. Were the owners of Ligh Hill Church, Lightoill Creek LLC, and Tillery Park Development LLC or applicant Ivy Development LLC? If you would like to come forward and add anything, just state your name and address for the record, please. You have five minutes.

Jason Winter with Ivy Development and Tiller Park Development, 672 Industrial Park Drive, Evans. We are the applicant for the Ligh Hill Creek resoning and um also the developer for Tillery Park. Um I think Danielle did a very good job on the summary on this. Happy to answer any questions, but it does add a a much higher level of connectivity between numerous neighborhoods and than probably a lot of other places have. So that's a that's a positive. Um we do want to make it a seamless transition between what we're calling Ligh Hill Creek and Tillery Park. So we're using basically all the same standards from Tillery Park. So, as you're driving through, you don't really notice difference from one to the other. Um, and then the last request on the PRD revision, um, other than the the change in the road layout to make the tie-in was, um, not requiring the structural buffer around the parks. We feel like when people buy in Tillery Park, they already know where the parks are going. It's not going to be a surprise to them. So, um you know, if they would like to install privacy fences on their um lot lines to block off the parks and that's up to them, but you know, we'd like to give them the option for that. So, that's my quick summary too on on top of Danielle's and happy to answer any questions.

Okay. Thank you. We have any questions? No, sir. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Any other member of the audience would like to come forward and speak in favor or against? Gentlemen, can I get a motion? Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion to recommend approval of file RZ26-05-01 reszoning from RA to PRD for properties off 50 5703 and off Ritsboro Road and major PRD revision for properties off Baker Place Road. Second.

I have a motion and a sec second on the floor. All those in favor raise your right hand. Motion carries. Next item, H1C4, a resoning RZ26-05-02. Uh, and this is Danielle.

Yes, sir. This is a request for a reasonzoning from C2 General Commercial to M1 Lightn Gordon Highway. This shows the location of the property on the north side of Gordon Highway, um, just south of the railroad tracks. And it is currently zone C2. It's been zoned that way since, um, 1982. Uh you can see the properties to either side are zoned light industrial already. Um although the one to the east is in residential use. Uh properties on the other side of the railroad tracks are also zoned light industrial. Um and this shows the aerial of the site. Um the site does look a little bit different today. The applicant has a business license on this property for Harlem Payton Body and has been in the process of developing the site for that purpose. Um some of that work has been done without permits. So we'll be seeing variance requests related to that work in a moment. So this is the existing site and what is triggering the resoning request is the applicant is intending to add a towing service to this property and that is considered an industrial rather than a commercial use. So it cannot operate under the existing C2 zoning but the requested M1 zoning will allow both the body shop and the proposed towing business. Uh there is a use provision related to that uh for the vehicle storage uh requires a 10-ft structural buffer around the storage area. Um you can see there is a chainlink fence around the property. However, that does not create the required buffer. Um that requires an opaque fence as well as landscaping. Um so that will need to be addressed as part of the site improvements. Uh the health department has also noted that they do not have records for the septic system on this property. Uh so they do have a condition as well requiring the applicants to have the septic tank pumped and provide a letter certifying that the system is functional. Uh the fire department also has conditions on this request. Um any additional expansion of the building on the property will require installation of a fire hydrant. Uh there is public water

nearby, but there's not a fire hydrant in this location. Uh the subject property is in the medium density residential character area on the future land use map. Uh this is primarily for single family residential development which this is clearly not. Um however this property has been zoned commercial for quite some time. Um and the M1 zoning is in keeping with the adjacent parcel zoning pattern even though it's not the current use of those properties at this time. Uh with installation of the buffer uh that should ensure the site remains compatible with the neighbors. Uh so staff is recommending approval with those conditions um from the fire department that any future building additions will require addition of a fire hydrant. Uh from the health department requiring that the septic system be pumped and that they provide the health department with a letter stating that the tank is intact. Uh and an additional condition uh that they cannot park or drive over the existing septic tank and drain lines. and then from our department that the requirement for the 10- foot structural buffer to be installed along the eastern property line prior to renewal of the business license for 2027. Thank you, Danielle. The owners, Stephen or Jennifer Jenkins would like to come forward and add anything.

Okay, we have any questions? Any other member would like to speak on behalf of this gentleman? Can I get a motion? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to recommend approval with conditions to file RZ26052 reszoning from C2 to M1 at 3985 Gordon Highway. Second. I have a motion and a second on the floor. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Next item, H1C5 variance, 3985 Gordon Highway. And this is Danielle.

Yes, sir. This is the related variance requests uh that we just mentioned at 3985 Gordon Highway. This is variances to multiple sections um including building setbacks, parking, and placement of buildings and structures. Again, we're looking at the same property on the north side of Gordon Highway, and it is currently still zone C2, general commercial. Um, of note, these variance requests are not related to whether or not the reszoning is approved. Um, they would be required whether this property stays C2 or is resoned to M1. Uh, this shows the previous aerial of the site uh prior to the work that has been done. And the general concept plan uh shows what has been completed on the property so far. Uh there has been a front porch addition added to the front of the building. Um that brings the building 8 ft closer to Gordon Highway. um that does bring it a couple feet into the building setback. It's a small enough intrusion it could have been done with a minor waiver, but since we were already processing variances, we have folded that setback request in with the other variances. Um it is a minor intrusion, not likely to create any safety concerns and there's no particular concerns with allowing that minor setback reduction. Uh you can also see that there's a significant area of gravel parking that's been added and that includes both customer parking in front of the building as well as storage behind the building. And that is all surrounded by a chain link fence. Um it is six feet across the front but it is 10 feet around the sides. Um for county code for commercial properties that fence is allowed to be 8t tall with up to two feet of barbed wire. Um, so effectively a 10-ft height, but it's usually split between the fence itself and a barbed wire addition. In this case, they've already done the 10-ft chain link fence. And in some respects, that's a little less industrial looking than adding bar barbed wire on top. So, we're okay with letting them keep that 10-ft fence as well with the condition that if anything

happens to it, they replace it with a compliant fence. Uh in regards to the gravel parking, uh this is a fairly common variance request, but not necessarily one that is often approved. Um particularly in the case of customer parking, it uh gravel parking is typically not allowed by the county. Um however, this is a industrial use and they do need a significant amount of storage and they're in a fairly rural area. Uh so use of gravel for the storage area is probably acceptable with sufficient screening. Uh so we do have con a proposed condition to require additional landscaping in front of the fence across the storage area and also to require paving of the customer parking uh to kind of keep up with the county's goals of enhancing commercial properties. This shows the existing fence um that we we would be allowing to remain. That is the 10-ft chain link fence. This shows the customer parking in front of the building which would need to be paved for the current proposed conditions. and then the gravel storage area at the back u which again with the current proposed conditions could remain with additional landscaping in front of that six foot chain link fence you see on the kind of the left side of the picture. Uh so again we are dealing with multiple variances to reduce the front setback for the existing porch to allow gravel perking and to allow the 10-ft tall fence and we are recommending approval with several conditions. Um the fire department reiterated that any future building additions will require the addition of a fire hydrant. And then from our department that the customer parking in front of the building must be paved and the parking lot landscaping and landscape strip along Gordon Highway installed prior to the end of the calendar year. And then the landscape plan shall additionally include evergreen shrubs in front of the storage area fence to provide screening for the storage area. And then also the condition that the 10-ft tall fence may remain. However, no additional barbed wire can be added to the top and if it is damaged or replaced, it must be

replaced with a fence complying with county code. Uh, storm water management also has a condition regarding the gravel parking. Um, if it is allowed to remain, they will need to do a storm water analysis and that would also be part of the site plan. If the if these conditions hold and they are required to pave the customer parking, they would get a storm water report as part of that site plan as well. Um, so kind of regardless, they're going to have to get an engineer involved on how to handle storm water on this site. Okay. Thank you, Danielle. Do you have anything else to add? Okay. Anyone else would like to speak on this matter? Gentlemen, can I get a motion?

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to recommend approval with conditions to file VA2605503 variances to allow a 10-ft fence, reduce the front building setback, and allow a portion of the gravel parking at 3985 Cordon Highway. Second. I have a motion on the floor and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Next item, H1C6. This is a condition, let's see, what is this? Conditional use for the indoor recreation f RZ26-05-03. Dylan.

Uh yes sir. As you said, this is a conditional use request for indoor recreation for an indoor golf simulation and training facility. Uh this shows the location of the parcel uh off of McCra Court and uh industrial uh Columbia Industrial Boulevard. Um this shows that the zoning and uses uh lining industrial park drive uh are generally uh industrial and they have been for some time. Um in fact uh this site as we'll see now has been developed for a multi-tenant um facility. Um the applicant is looking again to make use of one of the suites in this structure uh shown here for a uh a golf simulation and training facility. he's coaching people uh to uh improve their golf games. Um this uh is a relatively low inensity use. Uh however, under the umbrella of indoor recreation, um there are some other uses uh within Columbia County Code that are a little more concerning. As you can see, parking is somewhat limited at this site. Um indoor recreation uses can be things like schools of the arts or indoor party facilities or event facilities or um uh gyms which don't necessarily uh keep all of their uses uh interior to the building like this one does. Um that's pretty much the only concern. He's not proposing any site changes. And so staff is proposing a condition uh limiting indoor the indoor recreation approval for that range of uses to one suite within the structure. So that those other differing uses from uh the one requested with this application uh you know don't populate the other suites within this building and cause issues like uh excess noise to the area or the other tenants within the building or excess parking to spill over onto the street. And so provided that condition can be met uh staff is generally uh comfortable with the request. Um, additionally, again, while this uh

parcel is within the traditional neighborhood character area within the county, uh, it has industrial zoning with approved industrial uses, uh, indoor recreation is a conditional use within that zoning district that this parcel has held for a long time. They're not proposing a zoning change. They're just proposing adding a a fully interior use to the site. And so staff is still comfortable uh, provided that differentiation with the uh, character area. Thank you, Dylan. with the owner of MBH Holdings Incorporated. Our applicant Gary Christen would like to come forward and add anything and uh come to the podium. State your name and address for the record, please.

Thank you. I'm Gary Crescent, 1149 Sumpter Landing Circle in Evans. Uh I am going to the person in use of this facility. Uh I am a golf coach. I work with a lot of highle players. I work with people one-on-one. This space provides uh two parking spots in front of the the suite. That's all I need. I can park in uh excess parking my own vehicle. So, parking is really not an issue. Uh the uh the usage of recreation, I would say I feel like I'm more of a school uh that I'm training high level athletes and aspiring juniors and college players, amateurs. Uh so, this this facility has been a a very good fit for what I'm looking for. There will be no outdoor use. It's all indoor. Uh and it's a quiet space for the light industrial. So, uh if you guys have any questions, I'm happy to answer them. Um but, uh yeah, I think the uh I think it's a great fit for for the community, too.

Great. We have any questions? Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you. Any other member tonight would like to speak concerning this matter? Gentlemen, can I get a motion? Mr. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to recommend approval with condition of file RZ26 0503 conditional use for indoor recreation at 30001 McCra Court. Second.

I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Next item, H1 C7. This is resoning uh RZ26-05-04. Um in this as well sheriff's request for reszoning on property that's located off bigger place road but but not really it's actually located off Dublin loop about 54.8 8 acres request is reszone to PRD proposed with hill residential development. This location of the property again accessed off a double loop in the back of the clarity subdivision. Existing zoning is currently zone RA. I will be talking about the property to the west uh coming up next for an expansion of the Corey. Uh to the north is existing Vulcan Corey. You have some more RA to the uh east there and then to the south is Kari subdivision. area of the site and the existing site itself and also the alta survey. This is a part of an overall much larger property. Uh there are some some questions with the actual survey of the property, but again this is the best we have on the the remaining property that we're dealing with here. So the overall concept is for a development that is separate from Kari is accessed off of Dublin Loop. This is a public road um and it is a separate development. is not part of their development, not part of their HOA, nothing like that. I want to be really clear about that. It's basically 75 lots. Uh they're very similar to Kari like we saw earlier, Flat Creek or Ligh Hill Creek, excuse me. Uh the intention is to have it look like the rest of Clari in some respects. Lot size are about 8,400 square foot is the minimum lot size. Uh building setbacks is 20 ft from the front, 10 ft on the sides, 20 ft on the back. Again, very similar to Clari, but again, totally separate. Uh this piece of property does have some interesting topo. Um and also the core is being nearby. There's also a rock on the site. Uh that was part of the reason it was not included with the original clarity development. Um it was going to be a fun one to develop, but uh they're confident they can do that. Uh in terms

of the overall site itself, um it's basically a third is made up of flood plane, a third is made up of green space and then a third of it is made up of the actual development itself. Uh so again, difficult site. Um you have to crossreed to get there. Uh it'll it's a fun one. Uh in terms of future land use, uh this is within the medium density residential character area. Again, we've kind we've already seen those a couple times uh tonight. Uh that this is for single family development. This is an extension of that. Uh so it's meets the incentive future land use map. So regarding the condition that was uh originally with this request, uh we've had some discussions internally uh with Kari when it was developed back in 2014. There was a traffic study that said that basically at the second um the second phase of CLA a a a turn lane should be built on Baker Place Road. Uh did not happen. Uh we're not sure how it how it didn't happen. That sort of thing. Uh so this time engineering services has decided that uh they will take on making sure this this turn actually happens and they're removing their condition uh from this request. So staff is changing our recommendation just a straight approval of the request for this. I resone the PRD include staff recommendation.

Thank you Will. uh with the owners John Blanchard, John Coleman or or any member of the Pard Land Company Incorporated or applicant Bert Pard if you would like to come forward and add anything that Will has.

Just state your name and address for the record, please. You have five minutes. My name is Bert Pard. uh 5863 Washington Road. Um very generally, so that this is the eighth section of this whole development. Um it was not developed by the previous developer. So I'm the land owner. Um and so we've taken care like Will said to make sure that the um that is very similar to what is there. Um, and any questions y'all have, I can try to answer. Okay. You have any questions? You a You ain't worried about the rock?

We've done a lot of work to make sure we can do it. So, yeah, Miss B. So, this originally when the whole Kari thing was was was originally being planned, that was intended at that point to be part of Kari, correct? Wasn't it until Yes. And I I don't want Um yes, that's actually phase that was that was one of the phases that that was the last phase that was supposed to happen. And um at the end of phase seven, the develop the the individ the company developing the land decided they were going to go elsewhere.

So they they fell short of what they what they had initially agreed to do.

Correct. And so that's why I'm here. Um I've not zoned anything else in that area. We've just sold the land. And I mean, I've been a part of it, but not having to zone it. Um I don't want to say the name. Y'all can go look on the recorders and see who it was. I don't want to make that part of public record. Um I mean, it already is, but um and so we're just basically doing what we were set out to do in the very beginning. So, nothing different, nothing. Um, actually the lot sizes are bigger than the lot sizes that are that are in that are in Keelery. Um, there's sidewalks that are that's that are requested and everything. I mean, it's very very similar. We aren't we aren't trying to change the nature of the neighborhood. We're not trying to do any of that. All we're trying to do is just develop the the the last section that was supposed to be there when we when we started. Uh, I don't know. 15 20 years ago.

Okay. Any more questions? Okay. Thank you. Anyone else would like to come forward and speak?

Just state your name and address for the record, please.

Yeah, of course. Ashley Keller. I live in Grovetown. I live in Kari. So, uh, thank you for the opportunity to speak here today. Uh, prior to this meeting, I sent Mr. Butler and he provided, uh, that he received it, so it should be included in your packet, a petition from the members of the Kari community that contained over 200 signatures. Also want to put into record that this is the actual petition and we're now at 234 signatures from the community. Um, Will was very helpful in answering a lot of my questions. So, thank you very much. I want to make clear about the petition. We didn't um advertise that or broadcast that or put that anywhere else out into the community. We wanted to make sure that that really represented the voices of the community that this will impact, which is Kari um community members. So that was strictly just kari community members who feel like they want their voices heard and they don't approve of this concept plan that's being proposed here. Um I heard the gentleman but the fact of the matter is that this is a separate neighborhood that should be treated separately from Kari. So um our community understands that growth is a part of Columbia County's future. However, growth must be planned responsibly and in a manner that does not negatively impact the safety and I want to really highlight the safety part, character and quality of life of existing neighborhoods. One of our primary concerns is traffic and public safety. This proposal would add approximately 150 additional vehicles traveling through our neighborhood on a daily basis along with significant increase in construction traffic during development. I don't know if any of you have been to this actual site, but Dublin Loop is a huge hill with a ton of blind spots. So, think about children playing outside uh in the streets or you're walking your dog and then there's

these massive construction sites go or trucks, excuse me, going in and out. So, our roads are already narrow, hilly, and contain multiple blind spots. Adding these um large vehicles will cause serious safety concerns for our community. We're also concerned about the characterization of this development within the staff report. This proposed development should not simply be viewed as an extension of Kari. Existing homeowners made significant financial and personal decisions based on the understanding that the land behind us and adjacent to their homes would remain undeveloped and would not include a major access road. And that's what you're that's what you're looking for is if you approve this, you're approving a major access road to these people's um right next to these people's homes. Additionally, we are troubled that no environmental study has been required for this project. The presence of protected wetlands in the area should warrant careful environmental review before any approval is considered. Protecting these natural resources should be a priority for the county and future generations. So, we respectfully request that the commission deny this resoning request as currently proposed and require the developer to identify an alternative access access point, excuse me, that does not route traffic through an established residential neighborhood. The residents of this county are not opposed to progress. However, many citizens increasingly feel that rapid growth and development are being prioritized over the quality of life, safety, and reasonable expectations of the families who already live here. So, thank you very much. We hope again if they want to build it, that's great. They should find a different road that doesn't go through our neighborhood. So, thank you.

Thank you. Is anyone else would like to come forward? Please, uh, step up to the podium, state your name and address for the record, please.

Hi. Yes, my name is Amanda Canfield. I live exactly in the middle of this where this community is going to go. two two houses down for where the bridge will go over the creek. And I can tell you that we were promised and we paid extremely high lot rates because we were insured that that back there was not going to be developed. There are wildlife back there. I sit on my porch every day. I watch bald eagles. I watch hawks. They should not be disturbed. This community needs to be studied more. I have a big problem with the safety aspect of it. One road in and out only over a bridge. Doesn't seem very safe to me. I just think it's a very bad idea and it's been rushed and it should not be approved based on the fact that somebody wants to make money. This is our lives. This is our families and this is our property values. I respectfully ask for you to stop this before it goes any further.

Mr. Canfield. Um, who told you that there would never be any development back there? The realtor or the developer of I know I paid we paid lot premiums based on the fact that that was green back there that was wetlands that wasn't going to be developed

to to the developer or was it the realtor that told you that? I'd have to look at our contract but and see exactly what it says, but I can tell you that we were assured that that was not going to be developed, that it was wetlands and that it was a 100-year flood plane that nobody in their right mind would even build back there. So, I mean, the fact of the matter is somebody's trying to make money by by rushing this and want to take every scrap of this land and try to build on it. Doesn't matter what uh it does to the environment. Doesn't matter what it does to our home values. Doesn't matter what it does to our families. We have been through years of construction being promised that this was the last phase of Clari. That when this was over, the dust, the the noise, the constant rattling of our houses of major equipment going down our streets was going to be over. And now they're going to tell us we're going to look forward for another two three years of this. It's it's it's absolutely insane and it and it should be stopped.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Any other person would like to come forward. Evening. State your name and address for the record, please.

David Norwood, 207 Dublin Loop. A year and four months ago, my wife and I relocated from Indianapolis, Indiana. Our house sits right on the edge of where they're proposing a bridge to go through. My bedroom sits on the side of where this bridge is proposed. I don't have a problem with anybody making money. I worked for the Treasury Department for over 40 years. Okay. Where's the gentleman there? God bless you. Okay. However, if this is approved, I want some kind of structure on the side of that bridge where I will not hear traffic at all. I think I deserve that. You need to think about that. You put yourself in my place. Okay? Everything that Mrs. Canfield just shared with you is true. Okay? But now here we are because some of us didn't get accurate information. Do you hear what I'm saying?

Yes, sir. I love it here. I came here for a reason. I like the way people treat me here versus where I came from. Please think about it. Thank you. Thank you. Any other person would like to come forward?

Hi, my name is William Hess. I'm at 236 Dublin Loop in Grovetown. I'd like uh David. He's my neighbor. Um, I I find it interesting that your paper describes this as a something off Baker Place. Should be off Baker Place. I don't see Dublin Loop anywhere on this paper. I talked to Danielle earlier today. Thank you, Danielle, for the information you gave us. I understand the zoning is changing 2 and 1/2 acre parcels to regular residential, which is about a/4 acre. What that means to me and all the people on Double Loop is then instead of about 20 parcels being developed and we all know there's progress. So 20 parcels at 2 and a half acres each there's your 50 acres. Now you're talking about 8,000 square ft pieces of land. That's less than a/4 acre. That's going to be 200 plus homes. 200 homes, one and a half cars per house. That's 300 cars after all the construction's done. Dublin Loop is a narrow road. Like I said, I've lived there only six months. The people that I walk my dog every night, we're all in the same boat. We don't want this thing going through. I understand progress has to happen. But this is baloney. You know, I don't want to start cursing. Like I said, I want to keep it professional. I've been in finance for 40 years. I retired 6 months ago. I too came out here to Georgia. My daughter moved here six about a year and a half ago. We came out on vacation this summer. Fell in love with that neighborhood. Beasley Homes is the developer that's been in this area for 40 plus years. The realer we met with walked us the sites. This is the residential area. Yeah, there's 55 acres that could be developed, but there's no more than 20 homes, not 200 homes. And there's a school bus stop right by where this bridge is going to go. It's baloney, guys. Like I said, put yourself in our shoes. The neighborhood is a neighborhood. I didn't sign that community thing

because I didn't know about it. I was walking my dog and I see the sign that says planning commission tonight at 6 p.m. I'm coming off cancer surgery and treatments. It was an ordeal for me to get here tonight, but I felt strongly enough to come down here and I watched I love the local news channel 54 with Jay Jeff in the morning. You know, we watched the planning commission's meeting and I swear to God it seems like a lot of times rubber stamp all four everyone raises their hand. after this thing goes through. Data center. Yes. Data center. Yes. This can't go through, guys. This is bologoney. I'm telling you. I mean, I tried to get channel 54 down here tonight. I don't know if they're recording. And I'm not like the other guy that's recording. And I have nothing against profit. Like I said, I was finance for 40 years. You know, this Bert Pard, I know he wants to make money. Let them sell that those 20 plots, two and a half acres, but not 200 homes back there, guys. Like I said, think about it. I don't I'm hoping this is vote, if it's tonight, I sure hope you guys don't approve it. If 236 people signed this petition, and I didn't know the petition existed till last night when I'm talking to my two neighbors across the street, both of them retired military. They've got meetings today. They couldn't be here. Believe me, we could have 500 people filling these seats down here, and they're all just as a as me about not wanting this to go through. So, like I said, I don't want to take more than my five minutes, but please think, don't push this thing through, cuz once you do, we all know there's no going back. Taxes go up, they never come down. Gas prices go up, they're not coming down. You put that thing in, there's no way to to turn the clock back. You know, Bert Pard wants to make his money make money on 20 homes, not 200 plus homes.

It's supposed to be 75, isn't it? Not 200 homes because it's 75 lots. Correct. Correct. Yeah. Yeah.

All right. 75 versus 20. That's 400%. That's a lot more traffic. That's a lot more. And like I said, my home was one of the final stages that Beasley put in there. So, I didn't have all the big construction vehicles. They've just done some drainage. And I understand environmental impacts and stuff. I guarantee those studies haven't been done cuz they're still dredging areas for drainage in that area. And the neighbor that's right across from me is in my boat. He bought here assuming that these things were in place. He says, "I'm going to sell my home." I mean, you talk about quality of life. People are retiring to this area. Like David, I met him. His poor wife Charlene was our HOA pre treasurer. She just passed away. She'd be rolling over in her grave if she heard this Pardon my language. I mean, guys, you need to really think about this. It's all I have to say.

Thank you. Thank you. Will, do we have any idea of how many homes are currently in Sorry, what was the question? How many homes are currently in this development? I don't at least Yeah, at least 500. So, 500. Okay. 550. 550. Okay. State your name and address,

Mr. Chairman. Good evening, everybody. My name is Heather Armstrong and I am a proud owner um in Kelery myself. Um I've been there since 2020 and um I just kind of everything that my neighbors have said, I completely concur and I feel the very same way. Um we are not on board with the new development that they're proposing. Um it's the noise issue. It's the rumbling of the big trucks all over our neighborhood issue. And you know, so I'm not going to, you know, um I'm not going to um repeat everything that my neighbor said. What I do want to say though, I want to speak to the charm and character of our neighborhood. Um you know, we have families that walk our sidewalks and we have kids that are out in the, you know, yards playing and you know, we don't want to compromise that type of character and charm in our neighborhood. Um I have a a teenage daughter. She's out in the neighborhood. We have a pool. We have all these amenities and we have a beautiful charming neighborhood. We don't want our lifestyle, our quality of life compromised just for this development. We are not for it and I certainly ask that um you all vote against this because I along with my neighbors, we share the same feelings. We would not want our lifestyle compromised for this. So, thank you for your time. Thank you.

Thank you. Hi, my name is Gail Laserna. I live at 211 Dublin Loop. So, James and Miss Canfield are my neighbors. The three of us are the three houses that are directly next to where this new road is going to go in. My backyard is where I'll be looking at all of this new development. I bought this property. I chose this particular house because it sat on this side of the property with the wetlands and all of the trees behind me. It's all natural. It's very quiet other than perhaps some quarry noise, but that's another issue. Um, as everybody has already mentioned, I have big concerns about this new development. What's going to happen when all of those trees come out? What's going to happen to the wetlands in between and storm drainage? um the traffic for the construction and all of that coming in and out. The only entrance being right there two houses down from me that goes through a traffic circle and then out to Baker Place Road where there is no left turn lane. There's no traffic light. All of this coming in and out where as it is now at times school buses have trouble getting down the streets if cars are parked in front of the house. I don't know how all of this is going to happen. I don't think Baker Place can handle all of this new traffic. I have had occasions where when I'm trying to exit my neighborhood, turn left onto Baker Place to get out and end up waiting 5 minutes or more as the traffic goes by because there's no street lights, there's no turn lanes to try to get out of the neighborhood. increasing that for construction traffic plus 75 additional houses count 150 additional cars coming in out in and out every day at various times is just going to be it's going to

make it crazy. So I am totally against this approval approval of this project and I have severe concerns about this happening at the same time as the proposed quarry changes. What kind of environmental impact is that going to have? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Come forward.

Good evening, gentlemen. My name is Edward Williams. I live at 1827 NO Street. That's right there in the in the development. Uh I'm I I'm here as a individual person, but I also am a member of the HOA. And there's been a lot of comments coming from the homeowners there about this new development that's going in, about the what the problems may be as as far as traffic and drainage and parking and the development currently has a pool that's for the homeowners of Caller. We suspect that somebody will eventually try to use our facility as a result of this being so close to to us in in the back there. I walk I walk that community in the mornings because I like to walk. I moved here from uh Washington DC three years ago and the walking has brought me to the weight I am now. I'm looking slim and trim just by walking that neighborhood. Okay. I lost 30 pounds by walking the current streets that's in Calleri development. And so my wife and I, we vote no and we hope you all will vote no about this this um new development um adding as the gentleman said 75 to 150 new homes possibly. So thank you.

Thank thank you. Anyone else like to come forward?

Yeah, thank you. I appreciate it. Um, I'll probably need just a few minutes, but I don't think it'll be very long. Name and name and address for the record, please. That's Mike Mills. I came up before Yes, you have five minutes.

Yeah. I wanted uh my name's, like I said, Mike Mills. We had moved here to be close to grandchildren about a year and a half ago. Um, we have a new home in Clark subdivision built by Bill Beasley. We're really enjoying it there. Um, after a lot of observation study, I'd like to suggest maybe a third option on this. I tend to be a idealistic dogmatist by nature, but I'll go ahead and present this anyway. Um, I'd like to keep the pud. I didn't realize it was originally zoned uh pud for the purpose of developing a town center uh type of possible development in West Grovetown. I think Mr. Blanchard would make as much or more money in that's the case. Let me briefly suggest why I think it's appropriate. Uh there's three main reasons and I presented this at the county commissioners um meeting about a year ago. Currently there's maybe with the new developments over 3,500 houses and four contiguous neighborhoods in that area off Baker Place roads. There's absolutely no shopping venues, coffee houses, restaurants or any venues where people can socialize, talk politics, get together or talk. Absolutely nothing. I think there's none of the sort of things that people really want in a modern type city what they expect. It's basically turned into a pure commuter community. Um I think another concern is there's just excessively large areas that are single-use planned. Uh current planning zoning concepts for town centers exist in the form of a pud, but they're not adequately utilized to accommodate this and they're certainly not um they're certainly not aggressively pursued with intentional planning. I come from Lafayette, Louisiana and where I moved, we had a development river Ranch that required the changing or the variation of dozens of zoning restrictions. But it's also become one of the country's most successful town centers in the country. Uh it provides recreation, meeting spaces, upscaled mixed housing and small service businesses. Third uh is the overload of traffic and current developmental errors that I think will

be exacerbated. the current zoned residential area I think is just too big. I've seen the map. Um and more imperative needs are not and will not be met if this particular thing goes through. There's bigger developments now. This isn't the end of the world, but we're running out of space to do this kind of thing and to meet these kind of needs. Okay. Additional residential additions will overload traffic. I think they'll affect house prices. More importantly, it's going to preclude future mixeduse development traffic flow. uh three current examples I think of errors and u uh a bad situation that will be exacerbated is the develop is uh the two-lane bridge over I20. It already services increasing visit uh vehicle counts. That's the one road that needs to be really safe but it doesn't even have a shoulder on it and we're going to have more traffic on there. Number two, a single inadequate exit entrance at the high school bottl traffic. I think everyone knows that. Number three, the placement of the Tillery Park extension adjacent to I20 on its northern edge. It'll preclude any needed uh future service road along I20. I can't believe that. I don't understand why the federal government or the county government doesn't get involved in that. I thought that was a requirement by by an interstate um uh traffic at the high school intersections will continue to pile up. I think because there would be an assortment of services if we had commerce, a town center similar to a scale down Hammonds Ferry or even Evans Town Center on a much smaller scale would divert noticeable traffic from Horizon Parkway. Um proposals just I think we need mixeduse zoning. I'd like to uh request pose the question to Mr. Blanchard see if he would consider a mixuse pud for the development to enhance livability, divert some traffic and al offer easy foot access uh to the area um to basically what has become a car traffic only 1950 suburban sprawl type

development. I think small office businesses, overhead upscale living units, attractive walkable boulevards and coffees and coffee shops. Um all this in uh all this is possible if we uh take action on this. Uh it's visionary but I think it's needed. I think 50 years from now we could look back and we could say you know this would really be a fine moment in our development. Certainly be different and it's a harder to do but I think we need it. Uh access we talk about access tonight. Um widen Misty Meadows Road for access from High Meadows Road. Build new access directly from High Meadows Road. Um uh tying into a roundabout at a new Misty Meadows Road intersection. I know I don't have a map but we can look it up. Bill foot access uh traffic access from the adjacent Calari subdivision instead of access through there and having the traffic come in come in from along high meadows road widen that road come in from the south and we would still have shopping access through foot bridges going through fari uh pro uh clari neighborhood on and then the last thing I'll I'll deal with and I'll I'll I'll shut it down I just think we need to accelerate general proactivity and planning um I come from a high uh planning uh a high growth area in the oil and gas industry in Lafayette. So I've seen a lot of this. I think the planning process needs to be more proactive. I think the type of development should be the goal if not a requirement for this size contiguous residential areas not only here but throughout the county. Put should be intentionally zoned ahead and marketed aggressively. Establish temporary town center professional boards and authorities to do the job. Advertise to find stakeholders. Engage town center planners. These people exist and they'd be glad to do the work. And I'm sure they'd work with Mr. Blanchard on this vision 2035 I think really missed the mark on this on this issue. Don't wish but make it happen. Don't wait for the highest bidder the issue of the land owner. You guys are planners. You're not suggestion makers. I hope that I'm not trying to be ugly

but you all have the authority. Take the initiative to reszone property. Have to careful consideration. Your time's up. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Nobody wants that. Anyone else would like to come forward and speak?

My name is Robert Laconus, 739 Vancraftoft Drive, which is inside of Kari. Will, thank you for responding to my email quickly. Appreciate that. Um, my mo my biggest concern is the level of service that's going to happen to Baker Place given all the other developments that's going on there. um adding another however many cars come out of this this final uh phase is going to impact that intersection of Kari and Baker plates without a doubt. Um between like 4:30 to 6:30 speed limits 45 there. If you go looking to your left if you're trying to exit Kari there's a deceleration lane that when there's a car in that it blocks the the visibility to the left. There's also a slight uh grade change. So, you got kind of a blind curve happening on that way. Same thing coming from the right. There's a curve that comes in and feeds in. We don't have that left turn lane. I don't know if that's a good idea because this evening someone stopped to make a left turn. Person in front of me came out of Kari and then got trapped behind them and they were blocking the oncoming traffic from the left. So, think about that. But I'm not a traffic engineer. I'm a retired architect. Um, so just the level of service I think really needs to be looked at before anything is approved. Um, because it's it's dicey out there during the high commute times. Um, and y'all have one of the longest school zones I've ever seen without sidewalks. Y'all need to do something about that.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Gentlemen, can I get a motion? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to recommend approval of file RC260504 reszoning from RA to PUD to PRD for property off Baker Place Road. Second.

I have a motion and a second. All those in favor raise your right hand. I oppose. Passes 31. Um, next item. H1C8 RZ26-05-05 uh reszoning from RA to S1 and this as well request for resone S1 special for for a posted core and overburn storage probably look head off Anderson road about 319.37 acres location of the property again access off Anderson road so in terms of zoning currently zone RA probably to the north is zoned S1 special for the existing Vulcan Corey. This is an expansion of that Corey. Uh to the west is zone R1 and also to the RA, excuse me, to the to the west and then R1 for um Anderson Farms and then also we have Clarate to the east as well as more property for the Vulcan Corey. area view of the site and the existing site itself off Anderson Road and the Alta for the uh lease area that's in this up for discussion tonight or tonight. So the overall concept plan uh the with this is primarily for overburden storage which will be on the south side of the property there. Uh they're going to be taking some existing uh overburden off the existing quarry putting it down on the south side of the site. They will be they will be building uh buffers around the site itself. They'll be about 30 ft high. Uh there's also 100 foot underserved buffer around the site itself. We'll see some illustrations of those um of those buffers. Uh in terms of kind of the overall area we're looking at, we're looking about 140 acres for the overburden and then about

75 uh for the Corey itself or excuse me, I got that backwards. 42 for the overburden and then oh goodness let's see here the remainder of it will be the for the quarry excuse me in terms of buffering uh there is no buffer provided on the east side of the property however that is primarily uh wetlands uh they're basically 400 feet from anything uh that is adjacent to them. Uh the other thing too the quarry side of this will not be in operation they're saying for 10 to 15 years. Uh in terms of studies uh we have quite a few with this uh with Cory's we like to or now we like to have multiple studies with them. They've done a traffic study with this. One of the things with the traffic study their plan is to not bring anything additional on Columbia Road. They're going to be taking the overburden that's currently on the site and bring it to the site here as to the site to the south. Uh so again, nothing is going to change the traffic. Uh should actually be a little bit better. uh if the if the zone does not get approved, we're looking at about 40,000 uh trucks that'll be on the on the road in the next three or four years. Um the other thing too with this is we've got the blasting vibration air pressure overview uh study can confirm compliance to all all the Georgia established ground vibration uh requirements uh noise impact assessments uh air quality environmental impact assessment well aquatic resources uh threat and endanger species habitat assessment culture resource review and wellwater survey. Uh we concur with all the studies that have been presented uh with this request. Again, cory's are a little odd uh from a land use standpoint. Uh it's one that they're going that they're going to be located where the rock is. That's what it boils down to. Uh you can't just put a core wherever you please. They have to go where the rock is itself. It's not like a a commercial building. I can go build it somewhere. I can bring what I'm selling to it. People can come to it and do their thing. Uh they're a little a little different. So a lot of times you don't really have a a character area or anything like that that says yeah this this is where all the cores are going to go. Uh so really what you're looking at is is how do you mitigate you know the

risk and potential issues for adjacent properties with this again we have large buffers we have BMS with this um there they've done their studies again the thing with studies as I've as I've kind of say in the staff recommendation uh if they you know don't do things correctly then yeah it could be a problem but it's one of those you have to understand that that's always a risk with this um in terms of you can go to the next uh slide here again in terms of how they're doing everything. You see the the BMS here gives you an idea of the heights we're looking at. Um should be you not visible to adjacent properties. Uh there is some concern to the uh to the east with Clari. Um it is one that there is a potential that there could be some visibility, but again you have a large area that's undisturbed with both wetlands and also on other properties within Kari. Uh so it should be you know fairly well buffered u in that. This shows a burm rendering showing you what it looks like on Highfield Drive uh with and without. Again, the 30-foot burm there provides a significant uh separation from the the uh the property itself. Also on Anderson Road, again showing, you know, the house there and then how it would look with the burm and the property line. 200 foot separation between the two. Our 400 foot separation total between the two. Also on 5 5836 Anderson, again, similar thing with this. and then also at 2050 Rock Hill Lane. Uh it's a little a little different than the other ones, but again, it still works from this these renderings. In terms of future land use, uh this is in med medium density residential. We talked about about that a couple of times tonight. Again, this is not single family. Uh does not meet the intent, I will say. However, uh to the north here, there is the technology industrial character area, which does include the Corey. Uh this basically is an expansion of that into basically expansion of the existing core into this area. Um also there is no access to this property from anything that's known or within mutinous or residential. Uh so staff is comfortable taking that carriage area

and extending it to the south. Uh lastly we do have a condition with this no access to the size from Anderson Road or Highfield Drive. Again they already show an underserved buffer. We just want to be very clear that there will be nothing going onto this property from those two roads. um includes staff recommendation. Thank you, Will. So, will the the the overburden Yeah. This is it's basically dirt and debris that was removed. Yeah. Previously for the existing dig and they just they've got to have somewhere to put it. That's correct. And eventually when they finish digging their hole, they say 10 to 15 years, that's when they'll start taking the rock out of the the the next phase. That is correct.

Okay. Okay. With the the owners, Robert Brown or Holly Brown or Paul Duckworth or applicant of the Vulcan Construction Materials LLC would like to come forward and state your name and address for the record, please.

Good evening. Lolita Jackson, 300 Colonial Center Parkway, Roswell, Georgia 300076. Uh, thank you so much. Let me first say thank you for the opportunity to review our application with you tonight. I serve as the manager of community and government relations for Vulcan and I'm joined tonight by a number of team members who are available to answer any questions that you may have. I'm also joined by Chad Bell, our vice president of operations for our south division, which includes our Augusta Corey, Rusty Friendley, which I'm sure many of you know, our area manager sends his regrets. He could not be here tonight, but I'm sure he's reached out to you about this exciting project over the past year or so. Um, I like to briefly share a little bit with you about Vulcan Materials Company before I hand it over to Chad Bell to walk you through the application. Um, Vulcan started way back in 1907 in Birmingham, Alabama and has grown into one of the nation's most important providers of granite and other construction aggregate to help communities like Colombia County maintain their way of life. um each and every individual uses about 18,000 pounds of rock annually. So it is vital that communities have a good local source of aggregate and Vulcan is proud to be that partner with you. And so a little bit about the significant projects that we've done in this community um include the Evans, we've provided um material for the Evans and Lakeside High School renovations project. We were very instrumental in recovery efforts after Hurricane Helen. Um over the past three years, we've

contributed upwards of $30,000 in cash donations to um local organizations and programs and more than 600 tons of materials donated to programs in the area and organizations in the area as well. We are members of the Colombia County Chamber of Commerce and we are proud partners with uh Colombia virtual academy. We support Colombia County schools uh and various uh nonprofit initiatives in the community such as the the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta as well as the Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts. Um we are proud of the fact that we host dozens of school field trips uh each through on our site uh throughout the year and we annually volunteer with the MLK volunteer day. Um I mentioned Hurricane Helen. During that time after the hurricane, we also donated $10,000 in cash to local food bank and help provide it that helped provided resources for the concerned women program in Grove Town. So, we appreciate all the support the community has given us and we look forward to a continued positive relationship as we enter the next decade in this community. Again, thank you for volunteering your service on this commission. Thank you for your time. And now I'd like to turn it over to Chad so he can uh share some highlights with you about our application. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you,

Chad Bale, 5868 Columbia Road, Grovetown. Uh thank you for allowing me to speak to you this afternoon. Uh the application before you is a request to reszone a parcel of property that we feel is integral to our long range plans as well as an important parcel for enhanced buffering of our query and future residential developments. If I may, I would like to quickly remind you of the intense regulations that we must adhere to on an annual basis. As you probably are aware, we are permitted by the state to operate this query and that includes air monitoring, water quality monitoring, erosion and sediment control plans, as well as a very stringent employee safety protocols. Our industry truly is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country. As a result, we received numerous inspections throughout the course of a year, including state EPD air and water quality divisions, EMA, and others. If I could brag for a moment, the Augusta Quarry has a tremendous record of compliance and a strong safety record. This matters to us because at Vulcan, we focus every day on doing the right thing the right way at the right time. That is the Vulcan way. This matters to you because if we are operating as required by law, our our employees are safe and that means we're also protecting the neighbors in the community around us. I will point out a few examples of this as we review our application. As I walk you quickly through some aspects of our application, I would first like to commend the staff uh for their very thorough and thoughtful review of our application. They did a very good job of pointing out the specifics of our request and we appreciate their

recommendation to you that you recommend approval to the county commission. Here are the reasons we feel our application is worthy of approval. First, enhanced buffering and traffic reduction. The primary use of this new parcel of land will be for overburden storage. As we prepare areas of our property to be mined, there is a good bit of soil and some rock fragments that need to be moved to provide access to active mining areas. The soil and loose rocks are what we refer to as overburden. We will first use these materials to build BMS around the perimeter of the site to provide additional privacy from our operations for the surrounding neighbors. These BMS will be roughly 30 feet high, seated, planted with trees to enhance the appeal from outside of our facility. If this application is not approved, we will still need to remove this dirt from our operation by trucking it from our site to another off-site location. Approving this plan will eliminate the need for us to send additional 40,000 truck trips in the next several years on nearby roads. This information is detailed in our traffic impact assessment included in our application. Secondly, our long-term economic and operational stability. As the mining operation continues for years to come, the reasonzoning allows us to move southward from our current operational area and remain within our tree planted burns, providing as much distance as possible from our neighbors. This will allow the query to to continue providing materials for the vital infrastructure projects in Columbia County for the next several decades. This production allows us to continue to provide good paying jobs to approximately 30 people and to

continue to provide a local direct economic impact to the community of over $38 million and annually. You can find more informations in the economic impact. In closing, we feel like our request is very simple. This quarry will be be here for a long time and will be a proud partner with the community for the decades to come. However, we're presented with an opportunity here tonight to make our long range plans even better. By granting this resoning application, we will enhance the privacy of our operations for our neighbors. We will continue to safe and orderly development of our mining operation. And then we'll make the streets in our community safer by eliminating the need for over 40,000 truck trips in the years ahead. I want to thank each and every one of you for allowing me uh to speak tonight and your attention. I and the Vulcan team are here to answer any questions you may have about our application. Thank you.

I I got a question. Do you remember when it open? I know you probably don't remember, but what year did Vulcan did that rock corey open on Columbia Road? 1977. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Any other member of the audience would like to come forward and speak.

State your name and address for the record. I'm Gail Laserna. My address is 211 Dublin Loop. Um, and as I mentioned earlier when we were speaking about the other uh project, this project is very is adjacent to my property. Um, if you look at the map that's there where that point goes up on the northeast, just to the east of that is where that other development is. You can draw on the screen.

Oh, I can. This is where the new development is going to be. and my house sits right here. I can tell you that I I read through the entire proposal that Vulcan prepared and and I commend it. It was very well done, very detailed and had a lot of information. What my concerns mainly are are around the loss of the trees and how that might impact the although there were a lot of environmental impact studies that were done with theirs. When you combine that with the other new neighborhood and all of the trees going is is that going to change things at all and I don't know whether that can be done together. My other concern has to do with noise. The current mining operation that's happening up here. I will tell you it's about 6:30 Monday morning laying in my bed. I could hear stuff happening at the at the quarry. I could hear trucks the beep beep beep beep beep of the trucks moving around. I could hear I don't know whether they're rock crushers or something. There's a machine that runs that I can hear laying in my bed at 6:30 in the morning. um there a few times a week or not a few times a week, a few times a month, there will be an explosion, a a blast that is strong enough to shake my house. And I know those are just parts of the quarry and that's one thing, but when I lose all of these tree buffers, is the noise going to get more? I'm not as concerned about the dust and all of that, but I am concerned about what's going to happen with noise when we lose all of the trees and what's going to happen with storm drainage when we lose trees in both of these properties with all of the wetlands and the wildlands, the the protected areas that are in between these properties. What's going to happen there? Um although that is the wetlands over here on this side, a lot of the trees that were in the wetlands came down in the hurricane. A lot of them are down. the what's still

standing are the um pines that are that were a part of the agricultural crop. So all of that that's going to be what's coming down and what's left is what was left after Helen. So um it will grow back in time but I would just like to I have some concerns about what's going to happen with with noise. So thank you. Thank you. Does anyone else state your name and address for the record please?

Hi there. Eris Trivet, 3095 Marshall Road, Applane. Um, I come before you uh to let you know that I'm a former resident of Anderson Farms. I used to live right off of Highfield Drive. I also used to be the former HOA president of Anderson Farms. Um, in my experience with Vulcan Materials, they've always been uh very professional. They've always addressed any concerns that we've had, and from my opinion, they've always been um good stewards of the land around us. This particular proposal I'm very much in favor of because I think it would also help abate any additional noises that are going to come from this and definitely reduce the amount of traffic that's traversing Columbia Road that between rock chips on windshields and everything else. Anything to reduce that I'm very much in favor of. So,

thank you. Thank you. Anyone else come forward? State your name and address for the record, please.

Hi, my name is Nicole Denchek. Um, I live at 4082 Highfield Drive. I am on the same page as Aerys. Um, I think Vulcan um, deserves the expansion and um, they are good neighbors, good stewards. Um, we were one of the first houses in that neighborhood um, moving to Anderson Farms. We were advised by Deour Realy and our builder first choice that we would back up to to a quarry. So there was no surprises. There are um active blasts. We were advised that at the time of purchase. Um we were told that if we have any questions, we can always call Vulcan. They'll give you a blast schedule. They send out emails to let you know the blast schedule. They also have the sirens and let you know when the blasts are going to be happening. Um, for the most part I work from home and the blasts are not that often and um, they are very few and in between. So I just think they um, they're a Fortune 500 company so they have done the leg work. They do know and they they put in the hard work and did the research. So I don't think they would steer us in the wrong way. So

Okay. Thank you. still my coach in Oregon.

Good evening. My name is Dan Lanning. Uh 825 Rolling Brook Lane. Um we live kind of right in here, so we're close. Um off Lewisville Road. Um it's good to see you gentlemen again. Thank you for allowing us to continue to speak. Um I'd like to just speak a minute to Vulcan um about them. They've had two meet and greets for the neighbors uh over the past few months, one in February, one in April. Um they brought a number of these people to those meet and greets. We had an opportunity to speak with an environmentalist, people who work on the site. Um any questions that we wanted to ask, we could ask. We asked about wells, we asked about noise, debris, dust, all kinds of things. Um very transparent company. Um they've been good neighbors. We've lived in our home for almost 9 years now. Um, honestly, when we moved in, didn't even know there's a quarry there. Um, until we lived there a while and then we started hearing these rumblings. We're like, what's going on? We didn't do our leg work. We just like the land. Um, but they've been great neighbors. We have no complaints. Um, Kevin actually gave us a tour for my whole family. Uh, about a 2-hour tour. He drove us all the way down to the bottom of the quarry. Talked everything. My daughter's uh nth grade. It's awesome. It's actually It almost doesn't even feel like Columbia County. feels like you're in a different on a different planet almost. Um but my ninth grade daughter actually wrote her research paper on Granite Rock uh because of it for this year. Um so um you know obviously we would always like that nothing changes. Um but change does happen and growth happens. Um we think this is a good growth development. Um we also pay attention to the traffic and the alternative of putting 40,000 cars on the road over the next couple years. um they had put together this little thing and they had said two to three years. So because I like math, it equated if it takes three years to move all this stuff and you don't allow this to happen um at, you know, 52 weeks a year and all that stuff, it'd be about

50 trucks a day hauling off, which equates to like a truck every 9 minutes on Columbia Road. Um that's a lot of rock. And I mean, we've had a couple windshields get replaced because of rock on the road. And you probably have two, Ryan. Just had one last week, actually. they were able to fix it, but um that's a huge thing for us to keep vehicles off the road. As we know, Baker Place is an issue with traffic. Um so providing Columbia County with a little more safety is a great thing. Um so, you know, we would we as neighbors have a lot of neighbors that weren't able to be here tonight on um Rock Hill and Rolling Brook. Um most of us are pretty much in favor of something like this happening. So, thank you for your time and uh participation with this Mr. Lenning, I'd like to to thank you for coming up to support something. It's kind of change of pace for us.

It's kind of good to be on this side. Change of pace.

You said it all.

Lisa Fletcher, 5987 Anderson Road. Thank you for letting me speak here tonight. Um Vulcan uh materials is requesting to reszone over 300 acres of residential agriculture land to ES1 special. And um on December 18th of this year, many citizens spoke about the uh over 400 acres for quality materials for a quarry situated. And on that night, they expressed concerns included dust and associated health impacts, impacts to wells and septic systems, impacts to property values, the proximity to schools and the health impacts to the children, hours of operation and noise impacts, mental health impacts particularly for veterans for which I am also. Um, lack of guarantee for residents that they would experience no negative impacts. You see, the impacts simply do not stop at the property line. And this includes and is also true for the data centers that have come before you. We know this to be true and that words such as mitigation and heavily regulated are often used to address any concerns brought forth. Yet restoration which can never be accomplished from such S1 special zoning such as data centers and rock quaries. The landscape and land will forever be changed. And I'm not saying that repairs and repurposes cannot be utilized. However, with each additional large amount of agricultural land lost, the impacts on the surrounding area are more detrimental. In a closed loop data center, waste water must be purged due to accumulated contaminants. Though they recirculate water, closed loop systems require regular flushing to remove these accumulated pollutants, mineral buildups, and added chemicals. Data center waste water can contain toxic chemicals including corrosion inhibitors, biocides which can pose risk to water sources including potential PAS forever chemicals contamination. I bring this up because the force main recently installed that runs all the way down

Anderson Road is the main that the approved data center will use. This means that these harmful chemicals prayerfully contained within these pipes will run down a road where all residents rely solely on wellwater and whom the majority of its citizens do not wish to have county water. Every neighbor that I have talked to, their main concern is contamination of the water, the lifeblood of our properties. I have here uh a map if I can hand you all one. Sorry, am I allowed to look up here? Yeah. Sorry,

this map shows the onem radius of the rock quarry that was approved already uh on the we spoke about it December 18th and then the uh you recommended disapproval but the board of commissioners then approved it. Um as you can see Anderson Road is within the circle. I've already expressed concern uh to the water facility and at that meeting uh about this sewage pipeline containing industrial waste, not subdivision industrial waste going down a road now between not just one but two rock quaries. And now the rock quarry uh is expanding even closer to that sewage pipe which is PVC. In addition to the drinking water from our wells, there are many natural wetlands, streams, and ponds that are interconnected along Anderson Road. And this area is home to much wildlife to include all kinds of beautiful colored birds, the mighty eagle, migrating birds, woodpeckers, barred owls, the white and blue herand, hawks, deer, foxes, honeybees, sheep goats, chickens, and I still enjoy every chance I get to see the fireflies light up the night. Although this too I feel is declining. I want to stop here and read 1 Timothy 6:17 because truly I was praying, Lord, help me to know what to say or do, whether to speak, whether to stay silent. Everyone says there's nothing we can do to stop it. And once public notice is given, it's already a done deal. And that's and in a lot of ways that that sounds true to me. That feels true to me from my experience here. Anyway, that day I was praying. I thought about the principalities and it made me want to write something down. So I reached into a drawer and grabbed a piece of paper and on that piece of paper where the words leaning on the everlasting arms in 1 Timothy 6:17. So I quickly pulled the verse up and read it and I do believe in some ways it was an answer to me. 1 Timothy 6:17 charge them that are rich

in this world that they be not high- minded nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. And again this verse may only be for myself. And while the data center and rock quaries tout the revenue revenue, sorry, I would never trade it for the riches that the Lord has provided. I've tasted his goodness in the fresh blueberries and blackberries. I've held a newborn lamb, goat, and chickens. And one time, if if I may, could I continue? I'm very I'm very close to the end. Yes. Go ahead.

Thank you. Thank you for that respect. Only one time, and I long to see it again, there was an evening that hundreds of fireflies lit up the hillside, and I've never forgotten how breathtaking and glorious that was. In real estate, another word used often is highest and best use. But often we still think in terms of financial and monetary, but value is not always in the almighty dollar. A tree, if you look at it, you may say it provides shade, landscaping, and wood. And certainly data centers like to use them to conceal and justify that it is mitigating the sound. But a tree is more than these things. As often it is the little things unnoticed, unheard, and often unseen that we really don't appreciate. Perhaps the highest and best use of a tree is purifying the air, sequestering the carbon, and managing storm water. Sit under a tree and feel the breeze, and your mental health will improve. Trees reduce energy costs through shading. They provide habitat for biodiversity and food. Roots reduce soil erosion and prevent pollutants from entering the waterways. They reduce noise and increase property values. Just putting a few on the outside to block people from viewing or minimizing the 247 sounds does not provide all these added benefits. Nor does it mitigate the impacts beyond the property line um that affect the land, air temperature, climate, wildlife, water, and vegetation. And I just want to and this isn't my notes, but most of us that live down Anderson Road, we have gardens, we have livestock. Uh my neighbor just planted fruit trees. another neighbor uh that wanted to come here hurt her back cuz she was out in her garden. So uh that's the type of land the the road that Anderson Road is. Anytime there is a sewer line or power line run on your property, whether through easement or imminent domain, you're told it's for the community good or public use. And I'm not so much talking about Vulcan as I am the previous rock quarry, but putting a rock quarry next to elementary schools, residential homes, and a senior citizen with two bridges whose weights

are compromised, even if slotted to be fixed at some point in the future. That approval at that time was not for our community good or public use. The approval of that rock quarry was for the revenue and to supply the increased demand for data center building material. While this expansion request does minimize the traffic issue, and I give it I give it that, it does not minimize the impacts beyond the property line brought before you on December 18th, 2025. And today, don't trade what God has given us so richly to enjoy for the uncertain riches, power, control, and knowledge of this world. And again, I'm mostly speaking against the data center because had the data center not had this industrial that that sewage pipe, you really got to understand the difference here is that sewage pipe coming from that data center.

Okay, may your time your time's over.

Okay. My neighbor um couldn't be here. She did that. I I'll stop my writing. Uh but my neighbor asked if I could um relay what she wanted. It's very short, like not even a minute. Her name is Francis. She lives down Anderson Road. I don't have her address, but when I called her and she was going to come with me today, she simply said, "Just uh tell them this. Um, sorry, my notes cuz I wrote it when she was telling me, but basically uh just treat your neighbor as yourself. And if you wouldn't um have a sewage pipe running with those contaminants uh down in front of your house between two rock quaries, please don't do it to us." And uh again, I was on my last page, so I will ask again. I mean, they're able to come up here and speak for over five minutes. I this is all I have left.

I have I gave everybody five minutes. I g I've given you well five minutes. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else like come forward state your name and u address for the record?

Greg Schwire, 4053 Highfield in Anderson Farms. Uh so I spoke to you when with the other quarry before. So, here's what I like to take away from this. Uh, the lesson learned. So, several months ago, I had four people walking down my driveway. They're sitting right here. All right. Talk about, you know, when you run in hear people discuss transparency and what the issues with transparency. This team right here is is is the epitome of transparency. They came down, approached me. I've met a couple of them before, Kevin, the plant manager, as people have said, good neighbor. But my point is transparency. They've been transparent with everything. They came and spoke throughout our neighborhood, showed us all these diagrams. They had two meet and greets where people would come and ask different questions. They had experts in all the fields there. My point being the way they presented this is a way that we need to present all the controversial issues that go on here fully transparent outreach group meetings things of that sort to keep people informed and I just think that Vulcan has set the standard and I think Columbia County ought to take that note that and and use that in in the future. That's all I have to say. Thank you. Thank you.

Good evening, gentlemen. I'm Dwey Galas. I live at 6126 Columbia Road. Uh if you if showed the expanded map, uh as we go along, I can show you the border that I share uh with Vulcan. Um my purpose here is to support Vulcan. Actually, north of of Yeah. Can I draw on this? Yes.

Okay. This is the border that I share with Vulcan um presently. So that that's over a half mile. Um and to my eye, this seems to be an extension of existing activity that Vulcan has been involved in as long as I've been there. And so coreies have to contain and process their draw somehow. uh this uh provides an on-site uh solution. So their narrative indicates their method is going to consist of the wet method. Uh I have insomnia so I did read the 330 pages of documents. Okay. U this is an OSHA and CDC uh best practice uh for for processing of of dross and dust. Uh this offers the mitigation for on-site workers. Now silicosis has been mentioned and it is although it is severe it's a health hazard only for direct contact workers. Uh I can personally attest that I was on site with silica exposure for a full year in 1990 to 1991 uh consequent to being deployed to the first Gulf War. I have since uh lived at and from not only the desert environment and munitions activity in in the first Gulf War. I've suffered none of those symptoms of silicosis. I share about this boundary with Vulcan. Um, and aside from some concerns that people have had, uh, the wildlife that I have there are abundant and they're healthy. Uh, so in 32 years, I've not seen that. Um, as neighbors and community members, Vulcan is for me without pier. Um the original burm they have is 15 to 20 feet higher than was required and it's now green and people ask what's that hill in

in in the back of your house and the place where I hide out. Okay. Um the blast activities and the operations are informed uh via not only a roster but emails uh and telephone uh that we get. Uh my discussions with the other neighbors haven't produced any negative comments. Uh to the southwest, um Anderson Farms buyers were not informed. Uh there was some talk of them being unhappy for a while. They were not informed of the blast activity that was going to occur before they moved into Andiston Farms. Although someone stood here hand to heaven and said that that would be done. But Vulcan didn't let that deter them. They dealt with those people. They worked with them. They adjusted their blast um components and their timings and uh I I don't know how many people you could find over in Anderson Farms who were uh not happy with that. Now, I grew up with cory's in Illinois and uh at the end of their service life, they provide great swimming holes, fishing holes, and uh actually some pretty valuable property. um we won't be here for that but uh maybe our our our ch grandchildren will be. So to close, knowing everything that I know today, I would neighbor with Vulcan again as I have for the last 32 years. I understand fully the responsibilities that you have as planning commissioners and um I appreciate you hearing me out, but without reservation, I recommend approval of this and I'm I'm very comfortable with that. And I also have no financial involvement with Vulcan quaries. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Does anyone else would like to come forward?

My name is Robert Laconus, 739 Drive. Um, I know there's some angst from the people in Kari of this being so close. Um, and I mentioned I'm an architect, so uh, contour lines. It's not my area, but if if someone with the quarry or the developer that could explain kind of a section, I think this is the Dublin. uh what's the view going to be from Dublin loop basically and you got to keep in mind that part of that is a grade going up so I don't know whether the wetlands is the bottom of the bowl and then the um overburden area which is going up to 480 or 460 some some number I can't read it's too small um what's going to be seen I think the the neighbors would like to know Come on, someone be brave. Civil engineers jump up here.

Good evening, commissioners. My name is Cheryl Drenza. I'm with Vulcan Materials. So, we had extensive line of sight and um renderings done from different vantage points to help us understand because we recognize that there would be concerns from folks from different from different locations. And from what I'm um recall and from the work that we've had done, there would be no change of view from that particular location. Okay, great. Thank you. So, that's why there was no section cut through there. Is it is there going to be a burn there? There'll be

will there'll be a I mean I see where you got it going along this line and that line but will there'll be where he's done drawn a line. So the line of sights higher there or would it need a burm there because of the wetland? Yeah the wetlands the wetlands you've got you've got little Kyoki Creek that winds through there and then on the back side we'll have ponds and so you know the the trees and the the vegetation from that side will maintain the will maintain that buffer. Yeah. Okay. All right. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Okay. Okay. We'll carry on. Um, do we have um anyone else? Um, okay. Gentlemen, can I get a motion? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to recommend approval with condition of file RZ2605 reszoning from RA to S1 for property off Anderson Road. Second. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. I disapprove. So, it passes 3-1. We have no legal matters this evening. Not tonight.

Have no staff or commissioner comments. No. No more public comments or participation. Can I get a motion, gentlemen, to adjurnn? Mr. Chairman, motion to adjurnn. Second. Motion to adjurnn. Uh, all in favor raise right hand. We're ajourned.