Update 2022-05-02: One Valdosta-Lowndes funding, Hayden Park rezoning @ LCC 2022-04-26.

At the Lowndes County Commission Work Session this morning, by far the longest at six minutes: 7.i. Historic Lowndes County Courthouse Rehabilitation Project GMP.

Courthouse, Hayden Park, OVL, TEqBID

Second longest at four minutes was the back-again contentious 6.a. REZ-2022-07 Hayden Park, ~149 acres, from R-1 to C-G, P-D, and R-10.

Third at two minutes was the $200,000 to 7.a. One Valdosta Lowndes Community-Wide Initiative, presumably mostly for hiring an Executive Director, though one hopes also some funding towards projects like the Troupville River Camp that was top of the list OVL presented to the County Commission back in November. Not clear whether the $200,000 is per year or for the entire five-year project. Vice-Chair Scottie Orenstein said VSU President Dr. Carvajal and Georgia Power’s Scott Purvis will be present at the Regular Session tomorrow evening. Nothing was said about the Chamber, to whom OVL is being handed, being present tomorrow evening.

Commissioner Scottie Orenstein chaired the meeting in the absence of Chairman Bill Slaughter. If the Chairman is back at tomorrow evening’s Regular Session, let’s hope Commissioner Orenstein recuses himself on the appointment of his wife to 5.a. Lowndes County Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) Board. This morning Commissioner Orenstein appeared to speak for the developer on 6.a. REZ-2022-07 Hayden Park, ~149 acres, from R-1 to C-G, P-D, and R-10. Meanwhile, answering a question from Commissioner Demarcus Marshall, Orenstein said nobody had met with the opposition.

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with some notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist. See also the agenda and board packet.

• 4. Minutes for Approval

  Video.

• 5.a. Lowndes County Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) Board

  Video.

  Lynn Orenstein is one of the candidates for consideration. If Scotti Orenstein chairs the meeting, he won’t vote, but if the Chairman is there, I hope that Scotti recuses himself in the vote.

• 6.a. REZ-2022-07 Hayden Park, ~149 acres, from R-1 to C-G, P-D, and R-10

  Video.

  Tabled at last meeting. Traffic continues to be a concern. There still is only one way in/out of the apartment complex at the traffic circle (because the only consideration appeared to be the possible need for a traffic light at North Valdosta Road and Camelot Crossing). Clearly the developer has an “in” at the commission because it appeared that Mr. Orenstein spoke on the developers behalf, saying that cost of a traffic signal would not be a problem.

• 7.a. One Valdosta Lowndes Community-Wide Initiative

  Video.

• 7.b. Exit 22 Permanent Utility Easement

  Video.

• 7.c. Exit 22 Temporary Construction Easement

  Video.

• 7.d. Acceptance of FY2022 Delinquency Prevention Grant

  Video.

• 7.e. FY2023 Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant

  Video.

• 7.f. Beer License – Rakesh Parmar – Eagle Food Mart – 4952 Bemiss Rd.

  Video.

• 7.g. Agreement with TEqBID for Surplus Sales of Heavy Equipment

  Video.

• 7.h. Adopt Resolution Accepting Infrastructure for Val Del Estates Phase III

  Video.

  Commission already adopted infrastructure for Phase I, but nothing was said of Phase II.

• 7.i. Historic Lowndes County Courthouse Rehabilitation Project GMP

  Video.

• 8. Reports – County Manager 10. Adjournment

  Video.

  County Manager saved her reports for tomorrow evening.

Here’s a LAKE video playlist:

$9 Million Courthouse renovations, Subdivision at N. Valdosta Road & Val Del @ LCC 2022-04-25
Lowndes County Commission Work Session, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, April 25, 2022
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE).

-jsq

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