Tag Archives: Greater Lowndes Planning Commission

Packet: Valdosta annexation and manufacturing; Lowndes County commercial and subdivision rezonings @ GLPC 2024-11-25

The Greater Lowndes Planning Commission will review this evening at 5:30 PM, a Valdosta annexation and rezoning on Old Statenville Road for the Development Authority, a commercial rezoning on Old US 41 N, another on Inner Perimeter Road for U-Haul, and a subdivision on Thunderbowl Road.

[Valdosta annexation and rezoning for VLDA; A county subdivision and 2 commercial rezonings @ GLPC 2024-11-25]
Valdosta annexation and rezoning for VLDA; A county subdivision and 2 commercial rezonings @ GLPC 2024-11-25

Here is the agenda.

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website.

Greater Lowndes Planning Commission
~ Lowndes County ~ City of Valdosta ~ City of Dasher ~
~ City of Hahira ~ City of Lake Park ~ City of Remerton ~

Monday, November 18, 2023 5:30 P.M. Work Session
Monday, November 25, 2023 5:30 P.M. Regular Session
Lowndes County South Health District Administrative Office
325 West Savannah Avenue, Valdosta, Georgia

Continue reading

Videos: GLPC appointments, ULDC Amendments, 2 rezonings, Street Lighting, Beer and Wine, UPS, infrastructure acceptance, Regional Transit, Georgia Power, VSU, LMIG, Fire @ LCC Regular 2024-11-12

Ed Hightower was reappointed to the Planning Commission and. Calvin Graham was appointed to the seat previously held by Vicki Biles.

Two citizens spoke in Citizens Wishing to Be Heard. Burton Fletcher thanked various people for running for or winning office and other things. Janice Strickland spoke about flooding on Pin Oak Circle, which is in the City of Valdosta, so she was referred to the City Council.

In a thirteen and a half minute discussion, “County Planners JD Dillard and Jason Davenport went over the proposed changes to the ULDC which was “in the room” at the seat of the Lawyer Walter Elliott.”

[Collage @ LCC 12 November 2024]
Collage @ LCC 12 November 2024

Jason Davenport mentioned their goal was to get these changes approved by the County Manager and then to the “development community”. No mention of the public, other than the request by “Mrs. Quarterman” for a copy, which LAKE did get and publish. The county did not publish them before that Regular Session. The latest copy of the ULDC on the county’s website is still earlier than that, ULDC Unsigned Searchable Copy – July 9, 2024 (PDF).

Commissioner Demarcus Marshall wanted affirmation that these changes required existing systems to have generators if they expand. Davenport agreed they do require that.

Commissioner Scottie Orenstein, County Manager Paige Dukes, and County Chairman Bill Slaughter discussed other existing systems. It doesn’t look to me like the ULDC changes require those to have generators.

Commissioner Orenstein wanted to hear more about subdivision policy goals. Davenport’s answer was they would be looked at on a case-by-case basis and “appropriately address” them. County Chairman Bill Slaughter expressed concern about dense subdivisions where the county could not bring utilities and for subdivisions with a single point of ingress and egress (cul-de-sacs). Davenport mentioned they chose not to have separate rules for septic vs. county utilities.

At the Public Hearing, Gretchen Quarterman spoke in opposition to the amendments, noting that the time available to actually review the final language was only a couple of hours before the meeting, especially since the Planning Commission no longer gets ULDC text amendments on its agenda. She also recommended “continuously” instead of “consistently” for private well generators. She liked the explicit list of grandfathered subdivisions. She mentioned Val Del Estates, which flooded recently, despite the county rezoning it a few years ago in what were claimed not to be wetlands.

The Commissioners did not discuss most of those topics, nor removing pine trees from being protected species. They did unanimously approve the ULDC text amendments.

They also unanimously approved everything else, including the Loch Winn rezoning, even though several people spoke in opposition. That one took twelve and a half minutes.

They discussed the purchase of VSU South Campus for almost five minutes.

The Chairman paused other items several times for recognition of various groups and individuals. An agenda item at the front would simplify all that. Similarly, a Commissioner Comments item at the end would be easier than ad hoc asking Commissioners for comments.

Here are LAKE videos of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also the Continue reading

Videos: GLPC appointments, ULDC Amendments, 2 rezonings, Street Lighting, Beer and Wine, UPS, infrastructure acceptance, Regional Transit, Georgia Power, VSU, LMIG, Fire @ LCC Work 2024-11-12

Update 2024-11-16: Videos: GLPC appointments, ULDC Amendments, 2 rezonings, Street Lighting, Beer and Wine, UPS, infrastructure acceptance, Regional Transit, Georgia Power, VSU, LMIG, Fire @ LCC Regular 2024-11-12.

There was so much discussion at the Work Session this morning that the meeting was 30 minutes long. They spent ten minutes on the ULDC Text Amendments; the ones that remove pine trees from being protected species. Even the UPS replacement got discussion.

Regarding the purchase of VSU South Campus, Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker wondered how this could so easily move forward when the proposed animal shelter is taking so long. There was a little discussion.

They vote at 5:30 PM this evening.

[Collage @ LCC 12 November 2024]
Collage @ LCC 12 November 2024

Here are LAKE videos of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also the Continue reading

Agenda: GLPC appointments, ULDC Amendments, 2 rezonings, Street Lighting, Beer and Wine, UPS, infrastructure acceptance, Regional Transit, Georgia Power, VSU, LMIG, Fire @ LCC 2024-11-12

Update 2024-11-12: ULDC text amendments remove pines and pecans from protected trees @ LCC 2024-11-12.

Because Monday is Veterans Day, both the Work and Regular Sessions of the Lowndes County Commission will be Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

[Collage @ LCC Agenda 2024-11-12]
Collage @ LCC Agenda 2024-11-12

Most of the almost $2.5 million being contemplated is for the purchase of the VS U South Campus.

Cost What
$2,156,000.00Purchase of VSU South Campus Property
$111,223.17LMIG Supplemental Local Road Assistance (LRA) 2024 Restriping Bids
$85,097.4.00Bid for 60 SCBA Cylinders for the Fire Department
$72,103.12UPS Replacement at the Valdosta and Clyattville Public Safety Radio System Tower Sites
$2,424,423.69Total

Here is the quite long agenda.

We don’t have the board packet, because I forgot to send in the open records request. However, the packet materials for the rezonings will probably be much like the ones from the preceding GLPC meeting, and the ULDC amendments should be somewhat similar to those the Lowndes County Commission previously tabled.

For the VSU South Campus, see Packet: DRC Emergency Services and VSU South Campus Purchase @ LCC 2024-10-22.

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2024, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

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One Lowndes County Case, six Valdosta cases @ GLPC 2024-09-30

One of the two county cases from the lack-of-quorum GLPC cancellation last month is back on the agenda for tomorrow evening. The other former case was passed anyway by the Lowndes County Commission, without GLPC review.

[Collage @ LCC Packet 2024-09-30]
Collage @ LCC Packet 2024-09-30

The six Valdosta cases are new, and are all for small rezonings or the like.

Here is the agenda. Assuming the meeting actually happens despite hurricane damage.

The board packet materials, recieved in response to a LAKE open records request, are on the LAKE website.

Greater Lowndes Planning Commission
~ Lowndes County ~ City of Valdosta ~ City of Dasher ~
~ City of Hahira ~ City of Lake Park ~ City of Remerton ~

Monday, September 23, 2023 5:30 P.M. Work Session
Monday, September 30, 2023 5:30 P.M. Regular Session
Lowndes County South Health District Administrative Office
325 West Savannah Avenue, Valdosta, Georgia Continue reading

Videos: Loch Laurel Road subdivision tabled; Pine Grove Road townhouses passed; TIA Orr Road Extension @ LCC Regular 2024-09-10

Update 2024-09-29: One Lowndes County Case, six Valdosta cases @ GLPC 2024-09-30.

They tabled the Loch Winn Farms subdivision until it could be heard by the Planning Commission.

But they passed the Pine Grove Road Townhouses, without any Planning Commission review.

I guess the Planning Commission doesn’t matter if it’s in the Lowndes County Commission’s preferred development corridor in what staff call Central Lowndes County. Also, nobody spoke against, and Jack Langdale spoke for.

[Collage @ LCC 10 September 2024]
Collage @ LCC 10 September 2024

Commissioner Demarcus Marshall asked for a timeline for 6.a. Orr Road Extension, P.I. 0016273 TIA Project Agreement. Answer from County Engineering Services Director Chad McLeod: late 2025 bid process.

One citizen spoke: William Cary, about plastic recycling, saying Waste Management will no longer pick up plastic.

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 Continue reading

Videos: Rezonings Loch Laurel Road subdivision & Pine Grove Road townhouses; TIA Orr Road Extension @ LCC Work 2024-09-09

Update 2024-09-11: Videos: Loch Laurel Road subdivision tabled; Pine Grove Road townhouses passed; TIA Orr Road Extension @ LCC Regular 2024-09-10.

The Lowndes County Commissioners spent quite a while discussing whether they would table 5.a. REZ-2024-15 Loch Winn Farms, LTD, ~62ac, R-A to R-1 – R-A, indicating they probably would, but informing the public was difficult, because the actual decision would be made at the Regular Session the next day.

They did not have as much discussion about tabling for 5.b. REZ-2024-16 Pine Grove Road Townhouses, 6.3ac, C-H to P-D, which may well be a signal that they won’t table.

Both rezoning cases were not heard by the Planning Commission due to a lack of quorum.

[Collage @ LCC 9 September 2024]
Collage @ LCC 9 September 2024

They didn’t have much to say about the $1,175,000 6.a. Orr Road Extension, P.I. 0016273 – TIA Project Agreement. Sure, that’s state money, but it’s still your tax dollars.

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 Continue reading

Packet: Rezonings Loch Laurel Road subdivision & Pine Grove Road townhouses; TIA Orr Road Extension @ LCC 2024-09-09

Update 2024-09-11: Videos: Rezonings Loch Laurel Road subdivision & Pine Grove Road townhouses; TIA Orr Road Extension @ LCC Work 2024-09-09.

We will see how irrelevant the Planning Commission is.

The preceding GLPC meeting was cancelled due to lack of a quorum, yet the two county rezonings are on this Lowndes County Commission agenda for a decision this week. If the County Commission decides without hearing from the Planning Commission, that will be quite interesting.

Since both rezonings get Public Hearings, you can stand up and speak during those, without waiting for the Citizens Wishing to Be Heard ghetto at the end of the meeting.

[Packet: Collage @ GLPC 2024-08-26]
Packet: Collage @ GLPC 2024-08-26

Also on the agenda is Orr Road Extension, P.I. 0016273 – Transportation Improvement Act (TIA) Project Agreement, for $1,175,000. That’s in addition to the previous TIA projecta:

  • $2,400,000 Clyattstone and Simpson Road Grading, Drainage, Base, and Paving
  • $3,750,000 Hightower Road and Cooper Road NE Paving Project

Which totals to $7,325,000 in TIA money for just these three road projects. Sure, that’s state money, but it’s still your tax dollars.

Here is the agenda.

The board packet is on the LAKE website.

See also the board packet for the preceding meeting of the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC), which was cancelled due to lack of a quorum.

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2024, 8:30 A.M.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024, 5:30 P.M.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

Continue reading

Videos: All Valdosta cases: 2 small and 1 big annexation and rezoning @ GLPC 2024-07-29

All the items were for Valdosta, and the Planning Commissioners unanimously recommended approval of all of them, two of them with conditions.

[Collage @ GLPC 29 July 2024]
Collage @ GLPC 29 July 2024

Six special conditions accompany the recommendation for the Bemiss Road Yazmin Saucedo storage facility and the “event center called the “Enchanted Hall” that specializes in weddings, quincenaras, and family reunions, with an anticipated overall seating capacity of about 160 people,”.

Several people spoke against the Bemiss Road Freeman Investments rezoning from R-P to C-N. Several people explained to them that if this rezoning did not pass, the owner could put up a three-story apartment building. The unanimous recommendation for approval came with a condition of a 6-foot opaque wooden fence between this property and the three it backs up on.

No conditions were recommended for the Southern Gateway Madison Highway rezoning and annexation south of the airport. I spoke to attorney Bill Nijem and Valdosta City Planner Matt Martin afterwards. There is indeed a pond in the middle of the part of the property south of Race Track Road SE. It’s not clear what will happen to it; it may be used as a detention pond. The eventual development of the property is as yet undecided. It’s also between the Withlacoochee and Alapaha River watersheds, and not well-connected to creeks, so probably not a problem.

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

See also Continue reading

Videos: Animal Policies, Wetland and stream credits for Kinderlou-Clyattville Road, UPS, Fire Station alterations, Moody Hydrant, Grassy Pond Utilities @ LCC Regular 2024-07-23

Five citizen speakers said spending more money on an Animal Shelter building was not a solution to a problem that needs different policies: Burton Fletcher, Nancy and Danny Griffin, Janice Monaco, and Tara Parker.

[Collage @ LCC 23 July 2024]
Collage @ LCC 23 July 2024

All the voting agenda items sailed through unanimously, including the Wetland and Stream Credits for the Kinderlou Clyattville Road Paving and Drainage project. Also, as staff recommended, they rejected as too high the bid for the 6.b. Moody Hydrant Replacement Project.

Commissioner Scottie Orenstein asked if the architect had given a budget estimate for 6.a. Alterations to Lowndes County Fire Station #10. Engineering Services Director Chad McLeod said no, but they had done an internal estimate and the project is within the estimated range. Chairman Bill Slaughter added that the project is within budget.

A Commissioner, I think Mark Wisenbaker, wanted to know whether the county had had experience with the low bidder for 6.c. Grassy Pond Utilities Replacement. Answer: yes, on the LAS project, and they’re well known in the Waycross and Ware County area.

I’m still mystified why Moody AFB doesn’t count as a stakeholder.

I had some issues with the camera direction on 5.c. Vertiv Service Contract, UPS, 911 Center, Valdosta – Clyattville Tower. The battery ran down and I lost the beginning of 5.d. Quit-Claim Deed of Abandoned Section of Race Track Road SE. Gretchen is back and will handle this coming week’s videoing.

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

See also Continue reading