Videos: Two Lowndes County rezonings @ GLPC 2025-06-30

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The first rezoning sailed through the Planning Commission Monday evening. They unanimously recommended approval for 3. REZ-2025-10 Cain Property, 6261 U S Highway 41 R-21 to PD-R.

[Collage @ GLPC 30 June 2025]
Collage @ GLPC 30 June 2025

Speaking for the second rezoning, 4. REZ-2025-11 Langdale Capital Assets, Coleman Rd C-C R-1 CON to M-1 CON, Pope Langdale said that because of the railroad, which also often has a train parked on it, something would have to change to enable developing the part east of the railroad.

[Pope Langdale spoke for REZ-2025-11]
Pope Langdale spoke for REZ-2025-11

What could change is they could get access from US 41 through the 71 acres owned by DJ Land & Development LLC. The same company owns the most southwest lot in Foxborough, at 4662 Briarberry Drive. That’s another way access could be provided to the rezoning subject property: through Briarberry Drive. Quail Hollow, off of Foxborough Blvd., also deadends into the subject property. I suppose that’s what the first condition is about.

[Against: Dr. Jeana B. Seemann, 4634 Briarberry Drive]
Against: Dr. Jeana B. Seemann, 4634 Briarberry Drive

Speakers against included Dr. Jeana B. Seemann, 4634 Briarberry Drive, at 15 minutes and 10 seconds. That’s on the west side of Foxbury, about 674 feet from the north border of the east tract of the subject property. She is worried about drop in home values due to noise from industrial activities. She thinks the proposed 200-foot buffer zone is less than a football field, and is not enough.

Also, red cockaged wood peckers and gopher tortoises are prevalent on the subject property, as she observed during a project at VSU. Less trees means more erosion.

She said noise was already a problem because Mr. Motley (who is the Registered Agent for DJ Land & Development LLC, had recently clearcut the land directly to her west. She did not note, but I will, that that would make it easier for any future decision to provide access through that tract to the rezoning subject east tract.

Dr. Seemann would like more protection for all of that than the intent of the current landowner.

[Against: Gretchen Quarterman, 6565 Quarterman Road]
Against: Gretchen Quarterman, 6565 Quarterman Road

Also speaking against was Gretchen Quarterman, 6565 Quarterman Road, at 19 minutes and 45 seconds. She said she wasn’t necessarily speaking against. But the subject property is directly across the Withlacoochee River from Langdale Park, which is chronically flooded. She wants to make sure the river is corrected. She noted that while crossing the railroad could be very difficult, that doesn’t mean it is impossible.

[Against: Jeana Strickland, ???? Briarberry Drive]
Against: Jeana Strickland, ???? Briarberry Drive

Another speaker was Jeana Strickland(?), at 21 minutes and 4 seconds, She said, “I also live on Briarberry.” I don’t know where, because I don’t see anybody by that name on Briarberry in the Lowndes County Tax Assessors maps. Anyway, she noted that some of the subject land appeared to be for sale. Also, she said many of the houses on Briarberry had flooded recently. She worried that the proposed development could cause more flooding. And a 200-foot buffer zone wasn’t much against flooding.

[Against: Windy Scott, 4629 Briarberry Drive]
Against: Windy Scott, 4629 Briarberry Drive

Windy Scott, 4629 Briarberry Drive, at 22 minutes and 13 seconds, said there was an apartment complex going up across the street, making traffic already horrendous. She worried that this proposed rezoning would make traffic and accidents worse.

[Against: Don Driebelbis, 4629 Rustic Ridge Road]
Against: Don Driebelbis, 4629 Rustic Ridge Road

Don Driebelbis, at 24 minutes, said he lives at 4629 Rustic Ridge Road. That’s on the south edge of Foxborough, adjoining the rezoning subject property. He said he works for a trucking company, and due to his experience, he worries about hazardous spills. Also crime, with people breaking into cars and houses.

The Planning Commissioners discussed with County Planner JD Dillard, including that the zoning and conditions would stay with the property, regardless of any future owner. Any changes would require going back through the rezoning process.

They voted to recommend approval with conditions by a 4 to 3 vote with the seven conditions recommended by staff.

The seven conditions are:

  1. There shall be no access to Briarberry Drive and Quail Hollow Circle from the subject property.
  2. Should a change in use occur where additional transportation and/or water/sewer infrastructure upgrades are required, the Developer will be responsible for the design, any acquisition of necessary right-of-way, relocation of utilities, and construction costs for the infrastructure improvements.
  3. All lots shall front interior roads.
  4. A 200′ undisturbed buffer shall be required along the Northern, and Southern property lines abutting current Residential Zoning District boundaries.
  5. Any lighting located on the property shall be shielded and directed to avoid direct illumination of adjacent properties zoned Residentially.
  6. Any loudspeakers, paging systems, or electromagnetic interference generated on or by uses of the property shall be designed, installed and used such that they are not discernable at any abutting property line zoned Residentially.
  7. Correctional Facilities, Transitional Care Facilities, and Kennels with Outdoor Runs shall not be allowed.

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also the packet materials for the two Lowndes County cases and the agenda.

Here is the LAKE video playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLshUv86fYkiExjMJVSXv-C-KdDc-R2RAQ&si=l8Goz5aHuQazEByu

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