In these LAKE videos of the February 27, 2024, Lowndes County Commission Regular Session, you can see they spent three minutes discussing the 6.e. Spring Creek Well Pilot Study. Everything else they breezed through.
They vote again this evening at 5:30 PM on three rezonings and other items.
![[Collage @ LCC 27 February 2024]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-02-27--regular-videos/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC 27 February 2024
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: Continue reading
Update 2024-03-12: Packet: Petition against Gresham Event Venue and letter supporting Southern Gardens @ LCC 2024-03-11.
The two rezonings from last month are back, including the controversial Gresham Event Center. Plus three new rezonings from the Planning Commission. And five For Consideration items, three for road paving or wetlands credits for paving, plus a quit claim and a road abandonment.
All were heard at the Lowndes County Commission Work Session yesterday morning. They will be decided at the Regular Session this evening at 5:30 PM.
![[Five rezonings @ LCC 2024-03-11-12]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/many.jpg)
Five rezonings @ LCC 2024-03-11-12
Here is the agenda.
I neglected to send in an open records request for the board packet, so we don’t have that yet.
But the board materials for the first two rezonings will be similar to those from the February 12, 2024, Lowndes County Commission Meetings.
And the board materials for the rest of the rezonings will be similar to those from the February 26 Planning Commission meeting.
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2024, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
- Call to Order
- Invocation
- Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
- Minutes for Approval
- Public Hearing
- REZ-2024-01 Gresham Event Venue, 8415 Old Valdosta Rd., E-A to PD-R, ~10.3 acres, Well & Septic
Documents:REZ-2024-01 Gresham Event Venue, 8415 Old Valdosta Rd..pdf
- REZ-2024-02 Byrd Property, 3715 & 3725 Byrd Rd., E-A to R-1, ~7.5ac, Well & Septic
Documents:REZ-2024-02 Byrd Property, 3715 and 3725 Byrd Rd.pdf
- REZ-2024-03 Southern Gardens, 4609 Bemiss Rd. 5ac, C-G to P-D, County Utilities
Documents:REZ-2024-03 Southern Gardens, 4609 Bemiss Rd. 5ac, C-G to P-D, County Utilities -.pdf
- REZ-2024-04 Clyattstone Rd Subdivision, ~62ac, R-1 to R-10, County Utilities
- REZ-2024-05 Dasher Property, 1776 Old Clyattville Rd, ~115ac, E-A & CON to M-2 & CON, County Utilities
Documents:REZ-2024-05 Dasher Property, 1776 Old Clyattville Rd.pdf
- For Consideration
- Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Local Project Delivery Application – Hall Road
Documents:Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Local Project Delivery Application – Hall Road.pdf
- Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Local Project Delivery Application – Orr Road Extension
Documents:Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Local Project Delivery Application – Orr Road Extension.pdf
- Purchase of Wetland Credits for Coleman Road NW Paving Project
Documents:Purchase of Wetland Credits for Coleman Road NW Paving Project.pdf
- Walker Avenue Quit-Claim
Documents:Walker Avenue Quit-Claim.pdf
- Abandonment of a Portion of Race Track Road SE (CR #310)
Documents:Abandonment of a Portion of Race Track Road SE.pdf
- Reports – County Manager
- Citizens Wishing to be Heard-Please State Your Name and Address
- Adjournment
-jsq
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![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to utilize the property as a club, lodge, meeting or event facility, primarily for weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, corporate events, community gatherings, etc., with the ability to accommodate overnight guests.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0003.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to utilize the property as a club, lodge, meeting or event facility, primarily for weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, corporate events, community gatherings, etc., with the ability to accommodate overnight guests.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to subdivide the property into conforming lots for individual residences.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0005.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to subdivide the property into conforming lots for individual residences.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to develop a 60-unit apartment complex with amenities.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0007.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to develop a 60-unit apartment complex with amenities.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to develop a 110-lot subdivision.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0009.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to develop a 110-lot subdivision.
PDF
![[GLPC recommended approval 6:0 with staff condition of minimum 0.5 acres for lots abutting Clyattstone Road.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/small/03122024Plus-0010.jpg)
GLPC recommended approval 6:0 with staff condition of minimum 0.5 acres for lots abutting Clyattstone Road.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to M-2 and CON zoning.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0011.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to M-2 and CON zoning.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Hall Road is on the [TIA] Constrained List to start professional engineering in June 2024. The Local Project Delivery Application starts the process by allowing Lowndes County to manage the project and procurement process at the local government level.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0013.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Hall Road is on the [TIA] Constrained List to start professional engineering in June 2024. The Local Project Delivery Application starts the process by allowing Lowndes County to manage the project and procurement process at the local government level.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Session Orr Road is on the Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Constrained List to start professional engineering in June 2024.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0014.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Session Orr Road is on the Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Constrained List to start professional engineering in June 2024.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: $39,600.00 total of 2.64 wetland credits at 15,000.00 dollars per credit.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0015.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: $39,600.00 total of 2.64 wetland credits at 15,000.00 dollars per credit.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Center has requested that their portion, which is 0.115 acres, of the abandoned right of way be Quit-Claimed to them.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0016.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Center has requested that their portion, which is 0.115 acres, of the abandoned right of way be Quit-Claimed to them.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Langdale Vallotton Attorney at Law representing Southern Gateway, LLC, requests abandoning approximately 1720.50' Linear feet and begins at the intersection of Madison Highway, then west to the dead end.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0017.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Langdale Vallotton Attorney at Law representing Southern Gateway, LLC, requests abandoning approximately 1720.50′ Linear feet and begins at the intersection of Madison Highway, then west to the dead end.
PDF
-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!
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Update 2024-03-09: ULDC Text Amendment Status @ LCC 2024-03-26.
Yesterday morning at the Lowndes County Commission Work Session, they went straight into the ULDC Text Amendment. The changes County Planner J.D. Dillard discussed were not in the board packet. I have filed an open records request to get them. It’s fine that they want to be business friendly for incoming businesses, as he said. A little more friendly to we the taxpayers and voters would also be good, for example by publishing the board packet and proposed ULDC changes on the county’s own website, lowndescounty.com.
They could even put the proposed ULDC Text amendments on lowndescounty.com before they vote this evening at 5:30 PM.
![[Collage @ LCC 26 February 2024]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-02-26--lcc-work-videos/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC 26 February 2024
While discussing minutes for approval, Chairman Bill Slaughter asked when the rezoning cases that were not decided two weeks ago due to the meeting being cancelled due to Commissioner illness: when will those rezoning cases be heard? Answer: March 12 there will be five rezoning cases. So apparently the old ones plus the new ones from yesterday’s Planning Commission meeting. County Manager Paige Dukes further clarified that they had to go back through the process of public announcements of the rezoning Public Hearings. Thank you, Chairman, for asking that question.
Those were the two longest items, at 3 minutes and 30 seconds and one minute and 20 seconds, each. The entire meeting took eleven minutes.
About 6.e. Spring Creek Well Pilot Study, Gretchen noted, “I hope this money comes from the enterprise fund for water and sewer and not the general fund.”
About 7.d. Golden Oaks Subdivision Force Main she noted “$100,500 to service around 30 homes. Again, I hope this is funded by the enterprise fund. Perhaps in the interest of transparency, the source of funds could be mentioned.”
Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, followed by a LAKE video playlist.
See also Continue reading
Update 2024-02-27: Videos: ULDC Text Amendment, new well, force main, and elevator with For Consideration and Bids from previous cancelled session @ LCC Work 2024-02-26.
In the board packet Lowndes County sent this morning in response to yesterday’s LAKE open records request, there is more information on the 6.e. Spring Creek Well Pilot Study and 7.d. Golden Oaks Subdivision Force Main, including bid sheets and a contract. There was nothing additional on the third new agenda item, 7.a. Bid to Upgrade the Main Elevator at the Human Resource Building.
The ULDC Text Amendment (TXT-2024-01) Update Presentation was not included in the board packet. I have filed an open records request to get it.
![[Packet: new well, force main, and elevator @ LCC 2024-02-26]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-02-26--lcc-packet/many.jpg)
Packet: new well, force main, and elevator @ LCC 2024-02-26
Since no map was included of the Golden Oaks Subdivision, I have added one from VALORGIS. Continue reading
Update 2024-02-27: Packet: Missing ULDC Text Amendment, new well, force main, and elevator with For Consideration and Bids from previous cancelled session @ LCC 2024-02-26.
Another stealth ULDC presentation heads this morning’s Work Session at the Lowndes County Commission. You will be able to see it in the LAKE videos Gretchen is taking. You won’t see it in Lowndes County’s own videos, because they no longer post video of their Work Sessions.
![[Old and new items @ LCC 2024-12-26]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-02-26--lcc-agenda/many.jpg)
Old and new items @ LCC 2024-12-26
Other new items are:
Everything else is carried forward from the cancelled previous Regular Session.
But none of the rezonings were carried forward, possibly because they had to advertise the Public Hearings again. I guess they’ll handle those next month along with the new ones on tonight’s Planning Commission agenda.
Here is the agenda.
I neglected to request the board packet after the previous meeting was cancelled due to lack of quorum due to Commissioner illness. However, I have included on the LAKE website the board packet items from the previous meeting’s packet.
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Continue reading
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
Andrew Toussaint gave a report about the Small Business Administration and EMA Director Ashley Tye gave reports on hurricane assistance and local disaster group COAD, in this Lowndes County Commission Regular Session of September 26, 2023. Because of those reports and a second recognition of Leadership Lowndes (they showed up late), the meeting took 49 minutes.
![[Collage @ LCC 26 September 2023]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2023-09-26--lcc-regular-videos/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC 26 September 2023
Like the previous morning, Commissioners were unusually chatty.
Commissioner Scottie Orenstein had some questions and comments about 5.a. Quiet Pines Golf Course Ezgo Golf Cart Lease Agreement. and 5.b. Mental Health Model Resolution for ACCG. Commissioners Clay Griner, Demarcus Marshall, County Manager Paige Dukes, and Chairman Bill Slaughter discussed which statehouse bills the mental health resolution mentions, and that it does not support any particular current bill, specifically not HB 520. They passed the resolution unanimously. Continue reading
It turns out the board packet for today’s Lowndes County Commission meeting contained little or nothing beyond the one-page agenda sheets for the four Bid items.
![[Collage, LCC Packet, 2023-09-25]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2023-09-25--lcc-packet/many.jpg)
Collage, LCC Packet, 2023-09-25
So you actually learn more about those items from the LAKE post with the agenda and bid documents.
In the Minutes for the Work Session of September 11 and for the Regular Session of September 12, about REZ-2023-04 Chase, 6119 Quarterman Road, the LAKE letter is only alluded to as “a report from the opposition” in this passage: Continue reading
Update 2023-09-26: Packet: Golf carts, mental health, wetland credits, regional transit, Lift Station and Fire Station Access Roads, 2 TIA Road Bids @ LCC 2023-09-25.
Lowndes County Commissioners were unusually chatty in yesterday morning’s Work Session, about 5.b. Mental Health Model Resolution for ACCG, in which they sounded like prison reform advocates.
![[Collage @ LCC 25 September 2023]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2023-09-25--lcc-work-videos/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC 25 September 2023
Also about 6.a. Grove Point Lift Station Access Road, 5.c. Purchase of Wetland Credits for Shiloh Road Bridge Project, and 5.a. Quiet Pines Golf Course Ezgo Golf Cart Lease Agreement.
They had no questions about the almost $4 million dollar item, 6.b. TIA 2023-05 Briggston Road Grading, Drainage, Base, and Paving Bids, which leads to Wild Adventures.
See below for more notes on those items, with the LAKE videos of each agenda item, followed by a LAKE video playlist.
See also the agenda and bid documents.
We have not yet received a response to the LAKE open records request for the board packet.
Sure, I only sent that request Sunday. But it is stil mysterious why Lowndes County does not put its board packets on its own website, like many counties smaller and larger in Georgia and Florida have been doing for years. Continue reading
Update 2023-09-26: Videos: Golf carts, mental health, wetland credits, regional transit, Lift Station and Fire Station Access Roads, 2 TIA Road Bids @ LCC Work 2023-09-25.
This week the Lowndes County Commission proposes to authorize spending $4.5 million on road projects, plus golf carts for the Quiet Pine Golf Course at Moody AFB that the county now operates.
![[Collage @ LCC Agenda 2023-09-25]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2023-09-25--lcc-agenda/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC Agenda 2023-09-25
The biggest project at almost four million dollars is TIA 2023-05 Briggston Road Grading, Drainage, Base, and Paving Bids, leading from Madison Highway to Old Clyattville Road, where you will find Wild Adventures.
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $3,892,229.54 | TIA 2023-05 Briggston Road Grading, Drainage, Base, and Paving Bids |
| $240,119.00 | Fire Rescue Station 10 Pavement Resurfacing Bids |
| $222,377.49 | Grove Point Lift Station Access Road |
| $194,166.66 | NC-TIA 2023-01 Rocky Hill Church Road Grading, Drainage, Base, and Paving Bids |
| $85,440.00 | Purchase of Wetland Credits for Shiloh Road Bridge Project |
| $50,160.00 | Quiet Pines Golf Course Ezgo Golf Cart Lease Agreement |
| $4,684,492.69 | Total |
Perhaps a longer search would find information on the county website about the Purchase of Wetland Credits for Shiloh Road Bridge Project. At least we can say what it is a bridge (or box culvert) over: Big Creek, which runs into Franks Creek, which ends up in the Little River.
![[Shiloh Road Bridge in WLRWT]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2023-09-25--lcc-agenda/2023-09-24--map-shiloh-road-bridge-wlrwt.jpg)
Shiloh Road Bridge in
the WWALS
map of the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT).
However, the Lowndes County Finance Department has a Bids web page that leads to specifics on each bid, including for the Grove Point Lift Station, Briggston Road, Rocky Hill Church Road, and Fire Rescue Station 10 projects. Three of them include a location map and engineering drawings. The exception is for Fire Station 10, but its Bid Documents do reveal the location of that fire station: 2981 US Hwy 84 East, Valdosta, Georgia.
Copies of all these documents and images of their pages are on the LAKE website.
We do not have a copy of the board packet, because I forgot to send the open records request.
Although it is still mysterious why the board packet is not on the county’s webiste where they have an option “packet” that only produces the agenda and an agenda sheet for each item.
Here is the agenda.
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Continue reading
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2023, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
Update 2023-01-10: Public Notice: Rezoning REZ-2022-20, GA 122 @ Skipper Bridge Road for a Dollar General 2023-01-08.
Update 2022-12-22: Videos: Lowndes County buys land from Helen Tapp for Troupville Nature Park and River Camp 2022-12-13.
The Lowndes County Commission tabled the rezoning for a Dollar General on GA 122 at Skipper Bridge Road until January 24, 2023, because they were a day short on required notice.
A dozen or more people in opposition were visible.
Turns out the county did send the correspondence about that before I asked for it in this meeting, and within the statutory three days for answering a Georgia open records request. All the letters returned were in opposition.
![[Collage @ LCC 13 December 2022]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2022-12-13--lcc-videos/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC 13 December 2022
They made the historic purchase for Troupville Nature Camp and River Park, of Land Between the Rivers at the Little River Confluence with the Withlacoochee River. And Chairman Bill Slaughter called seller Helen Tapp up to say a few words.
Apparently they are also modest, since some of them did not seem to like compliments about that purchase.
They reappointed Franklin Bailey to the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC).
Everything else passed unanimously.
In Citizens Wishing to be Heard, Kelly Saxon asked for assistance for the homeless, John S. Quarterman complimented the Commission on purchasing the Troupville land, and Blake Robinson said there may not be many young people who come to these meetings, but they do appreciate the local government work the Commissioners are doing.
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
![[5. Rezonings]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0001.jpg)
![[6. For Consideration]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/small/03122024Plus-0002.jpg)
![[GLPC recommended denial 5:3.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/small/03122024Plus-0004.jpg)
![[GLPC recommended approval 8:0.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/small/03122024Plus-0006.jpg)
![[GLPC recommended approval 5:1.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/small/03122024Plus-0008.jpg)
![[GLPC recommended approval 6:0 with staff conditions.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/small/03122024Plus-0012.jpg)