Tag Archives: Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange

Packet: One-Valdosta Lowndes Report, 3 Rezonings, 1 Subdivision, Paving, Alcohol, Housing Loan, LMIG @ LCC 2026-03-09

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In the Work Session Monday morning, Mary Beth Brownlee will report on One Valdosta-Lowndes (OVL). Be there or watch it in the forthcoming LAKE video, because the Lowndes County Commission does not post videos of its work sessions.

The rezoning the Planning Commission recommended against last month because of inadequate site plan now has an updated plan. That’s REZ-2026-06 Val Del Mobile Home Park, ~34ac, 3910 Val Way, R-A & P-D to P-D, County Utilities. The other two rezonings look much the same.

Also on the agenda is $1,491,023.01 more from GDOT for resurfacing Radar Site Road, Coffee Road, Hamby Lane, and Webb Road North. And another $1,100,000.00 from TIA for Kinderlou-Clyattville Road Paving and Drainage Improvements. Plus acceptance of a subdivision’s infrastructure, a beer and wine license, and a half-million dollar housing loan.

[Packet: One-Valdosta Lowndes, 3 Rezonings, 1 Subdivision, Paving, Alcohol, Housing, LMIG @ LCC 2026-03-09]
Packet: One-Valdosta Lowndes, 3 Rezonings, 1 Subdivision, Paving, Alcohol, Housing, LMIG @ LCC 2026-03-09

The Lowndes County Commissioners vote Tuesday evening at 5:30 PM.

Here is the agenda.

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website. Images of each page are below.

See also the Continue reading →

Videos: 3 Lowndes County rezonings, one recommended against @ GLPC 2026-02-23

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Two new Commissioners joined the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC) this year: John “Mac” McCall joined in January for the first time. This February meeting was the first for Brian Touchton.

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended denial because of inadequate site plan for 3. REZ-2026-04 VII7B, 5507 Central Street (Clyattville), 0095-022, R-10 to C-G.

GLPC recommended approval for the other two, with an added condition for 4. REZ-2026-05: 1925 Davis@84, U S Highway 84 West, 0059-090, ~21.7 acres.

[Collage @ LCC 23 February 2026]
Collage @ LCC 23 February 2026

GLPC recommends. The Lowndes County Commission will decide these three rezonings on March 10, 2026.

Here 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: the 3 Lowndes County rezonings @ GLPC 2026-02-23

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Received in response to a LAKE open records request, the board packet materials for Monday’s Greater Lowndes Planning Commission meeting are on the LAKE website with images below.

[Collage @ GLPC Packet 2026-02-23]
Collage @ GLPC Packet 2026-02-23

The delay, once again, was because I didn’t send the Georgia Open Records Act (GORA) request until yesterday.

Although if the Lowndes County would put the board packet on lowndescounty.com, nobody would have to play open records tag.

Apparently two Planning Commissioners during the meeting said they got these materials late or not at all. So putting them on the county’s own website would let anyone pick them up, even Planning Commissioners.

See also Continue reading →

Agenda: Three Lowndes County Rezonings @ GLPC 2026-02-23

Update 2026-02-24: Packet: the 3 Lowndes County rezonings @ GLPC 2026-02-23.

February is a short month, and this Monday evening is the Regular Session of the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC).

They have on their agenda three rezonings in Lowndes County, one commercial in Clyattville, and the other two subdivsions on US 84 and Val Del Road.

GLPC recommends. The Lowndes County Commission will decide on March 10, 2026.

[Collage @ GLPC Agenda 2026-02-23]
Collage @ GLPC Agenda 2026-02-23

Here is the GLPC agenda.

We don’t have the board packet, because I got the date wrong and only sent the open records request this morning.

Lowndes County could put the board packet on its own website, and nobody would have to play this game of tag.

Instead, I have included maps of the subject properties from the Lowndes County Tax Assessors.

Meanwhile, the county did send the draft minutes from the previous GLPC meeting. Those 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, February 16, 2026 5:30 P.M. Work Session
Monday, February 23, 2026 5:30 P.M. Regular Session
Lowndes County South Health District Administrative Office
325 West Savannah Avenue, Valdosta, Georgia

Continue reading →

Meetings Cancelled this week –Lowndes County Commission 2026-02-23

Here’s what they wrote, “The Lowndes County Commission Meetings scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026, at 8:30 am and Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 5:30 pm, have been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items requiring attention at this time.”

[Lowndes County Commission Meetings Cancelled this week 2026-02-23, Work Session Monday morning and Regular Session Tuesday evening]
Lowndes County Commission Meetings Cancelled this week 2026-02-23, Work Session Monday morning and Regular Session Tuesday evening

-jsq

Investigative reporting costs money, for open records requests, copying, web hosting, gasoline, and cameras, and with sufficient funds we can pay students to do further research. You can donate to LAKE today!
http://www.l-a-k-e.org/blog/donate

Videos: 3 rezonings, 1 Utility Easement Termination, Orr Road Bids, Backup Generators for Pruitt Health Facilities @ LCC Regular 2026-02-10

Two weeks ago at their Regular Session, the Lowndes County Commissioners discussed for nine minutes 5.c. REZ-2026-03 Villanueva Property, 6201 Union Rd, 6ac, E-A to C-G., mostly about fence colors. They ended up approving the rezoning with the staff-recommended conditions, except not the one about fence color.

They also talked for six and a half minutes about the agenda item they added, 6.b. Temporary Burn Ordinance.

Gretchen Quarterman noted, “There have been over 100 grass fires so far this year. Lowndes County (and surrounding counties) is in extreme drought. This temporary ordinance is made in conjunction with Georgia Forestry to protect property, people, resources, etc. This burn ban includes “recreational” fired and fires inside of a burn barrel. It does not ban outdoor grilling of food. (or so I thought I heard).”

She added, “The text of the county FB post is as follows:”

“Due to prolonged dry weather and worsening drought conditions, outdoor burning of yard debris is now restricted in the unincorporated areas of Lowndes County. To reduce wildfire risks and protect public safety, property, and natural resources, all open burning of yard debris, including leaves, limbs, grass, and other vegetative matter, is prohibited within the unincorporated area of Lowndes County until drought conditions improve.”

They passed all the agenda items unanimously.

[Collage @ LCC 10 February 2026]
Collage @ LCC 10 February 2026

Three citizens wished to be heard: Gretchen Quarterman about solid waste and recycling, Mary Roe about Paving of Green Road, and Joel Deon about Data Center concerns.

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: 3 rezonings, 1 Utility Easement Termination, Orr Road Bids, Backup Generators for Pruitt Health Facilities @ LCC Work 2026-02-09

Update 2026-02-22: Videos: 3 rezonings, 1 Utility Easement Termination, Orr Road Bids, Backup Generators for Pruitt Health Facilities @ LCC Regular 2026-02-10.

Two weeks ago at their Work Session, the Lowndes County Commissioners talked much about the 7.b. Consideration of Bids for Installation of Emergency Backup Generators for Pruitt Healthcare. The county is merely passing through that $1,470,216.00. Chairman Bill Slaughter says the opportunity was offered to all nursing homes in Lowndes County, but only Pruitt Healthcare took it up.

They also talked about fences for 5.c. REZ-2026-03 Villanueva Property, 6201 Union Rd, 6ac, E-A to C-G.

And they said a few words about the $477,896.15 to Reames & Son Construction from TSPLOST for 7.a. PI #0016273, Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Orr Road Bids.

[Collage @ LCC 9 February 2026]
Collage @ LCC 9 February 2026

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: 3 rezonings, 1 Utility Easement Termination, Orr Road Bids, Backup Generators for Pruitt Health Facilities @ LCC 2026-02-09

Update 2026-02-21: Videos: 3 rezonings, 1 Utility Easement Termination, Orr Road Bids, Backup Generators for Pruitt Health Facilities @ LCC Work 2026-02-09.

The big-budget item is $477,896.15 to Reames & Son Construction from TSPLOST for 7.a. PI #0016273, Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Orr Road Bids.

The $1,470,216.00 for 7.b. Emergency Backup Generators at Pruitt Health Facilities is to be completely reimbursed by $1,088,903.00 from HMGP Funding, $217,781.00 from GEMA Funding, and $233,126.00 from Pruitt Health.

In July 2019, the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners approved the submittal of a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) application on behalf of Pruitt Health Corporation to fund the installation of emergency backup generators at five skilled nursing facilities located within Lowndes County. These facilities provide critical care to vulnerable populations, making continuity of power during emergencies a key resiliency priority.

In January 2025, Lowndes County was notified that the HMGP application had been awarded. As part of the grant structure, Lowndes County will administer the project and pay the selected contractor, with eligible costs reimbursed through a combination of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) funding. Any costs not reimbursed through FEMA or GEMA will be the responsibility of Pruitt Health. As a result, Lowndes County will receive 100 percent reimbursement for the project through the combined participation of FEMA, GEMA, and Pruitt Health, with no net financial impact to the County.

[Packet: 3 rezonings, Utility Easement Termination, Orr Road Bids, Pruitt Health Backup Generators, @ LCC 2026-02-09]
Packet: 3 rezonings, Utility Easement Termination, Orr Road Bids, Pruitt Health Backup Generators, @ LCC 2026-02-09

Here is the agenda.

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

See also the Continue reading →

Videos: Valdosta downtown multi-family residential development and office and storage in Lowndes County @ GLPC 2026-01-26

Update 2026-02-08: Packet: 3 rezonings, 1 Utility Easement Termination, Orr Road Bids, Backup Generators for Pruitt Health Facilities @ LCC 2026-02-09.

They unanimously recommended approval of all items, at the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC), at its January 26, 2026, Regular Meeting.

[Collage @ GLPC 26 January 2026]
Collage @ GLPC 26 January 2026

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 agenda and the board packet, received in response to a couple of LAKE open records requests.

Why should a private media firm have to pry these materials out of the county?

I’m not blaming the county staff. They do what they are told to do by the County Commissioners.

I’m not blaming the Planning Commissioners. They are merely an advisory body.

So please ask your Lowndes County Commissioners why they do not publish important materials so the public can see what they the Commissioners are using to make decisions? Continue reading →

Videos: Water treatment upgrade because GA-EPD Consent Order, Lift Station Pump Repair, Condemnation along Twin Lakes Road, VAWA @ LCC Regular 2026-01-27

Congressman Austin Scott, District 8, congratulated Lowndes County on its 200th anniversary.

His appearance was not on the agenda for the Lowndes County Commission Regular Session of January 27, 2026. This was an unusual opportunity to talk directly to the Congress member for Lowndes County and many surrounding counties. Which is a reason you may want to attend Lowndes County Commission meetings: there’s no telling who may show up.

Rep. Scott read what he said was a resolution, but it appears to be a brief speech he made in the U.S. House. CELEBRATING LOWNDES COUNTY’S 200TH BIRTHDAY; Congressional Record Vol. 171, No. 213 (Extensions of Remarks – December 17, 2025),

CELEBRATING LOWNDES COUNTY’S 200TH BIRTHDAY

HON. AUSTIN SCOTT

of georgia

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lowndes County in Georgia’s 8th Congressional District. Lowndes County was established by the Georgia State Assembly on December 23, 1825. Since then, the county has grown to be home to more than 118,000 people and spans 511 square miles. What was once a railroad town dominated by cotton sales has grown to serve as home to Valdosta State University, the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area, Moody Air Force Base, and many charming Georgia towns. Lowndes County has served our airmen at Moody Air Force Base for many years and sets the example for how we can best support our soldiers and their families. I am honored to represent this community and look forward to seeing Lowndes County continue to grow for years to come.

[Collage @ LCC Regular 27 January 2026]
Collage @ LCC Regular 27 January 2026

The Twin Lakes Road right of way condemnation turned into a purchase agreement, resolution having been reached with the landowners.

The Commissioners unanimously approved everything on the agenda, except the condemnation, which they declared moot.

Three citizens spoke in Citizens Wishing to Be Heard: Mary Roe about paving of Green Road, Michael Noll about Citizens against Data Centers, and Maria Chung Willoughby about a non profit partnership.

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 →