Cherryl C. Burks

The Regular Meeting agenda included several key considerations for the Board of Commissioners. Discussions centered on the approval of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) award, recommendations from the Parks and Leisure Services Advisory Commission regarding the FY 2027 Fee Schedule, splash pad locations, and motorcoach fees. Approvals were sought for Change Orders for Heritage Park Gym and Phase 1 results for Storm Water Utility Implementation, including contracting with Lyndsey Engineering for Phase 2 and setting a January 1, 2027, target for fee collection. The Board considered a Letter of Support for the Griffin-Spalding Regional Airport and the 2026 TSPLOST Resurfacing Award. Other new business included considering the second reading of the No Through Trucks Ordinance, discussing revisions to standards for amplification permits, approving a contract for demolition at 117 East Solomon Street, and authorizing the final condemnation of property rights related to the Griffin-Spalding County Airport. Additionally, the Board authorized the County Manager to consult on the feasibility of splitting the Griffin Judicial Circuit. Reports included a warning about severe upcoming weekend weather and an update on the FY27 budget public hearings scheduled for March and May.

The Zoning Public Hearings addressed several key matters. New Business included the consideration of an appeal regarding the denial of an Alcohol ID Badge, which was ultimately upheld. Other business involved the second reading and adoption of several updated maps, specifically the Official Zoning Map Update, the Urban Proximity Overlay Map, and the Official S-2 District Spalding County Watershed Protection Map Update. Furthermore, the Board lifted from the table and approved a master plan for Minerva Spring Lake, LP, requesting a special exception for Cluster Dwellings and a variance to reduce setbacks, contingent upon staff conditions and additional fencing requirements. Approvals were also granted for related applications 23-14S and 23-12V. The session concluded with an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, real estate acquisition, and legal consultation.

The meeting agenda was amended to include real estate discussions within the Executive Session. The Assistant Finance Director provided the January 2026 financial update, noting that the fire fund revenue and expenditures were impacted by planned fire truck purchases, while general fund revenues exceeded expenditures following property tax collections. The Board considered the approval of minutes from prior meetings held in January and February 2026. Under New Business, the Board reviewed county ordinances regarding records management and voted to appoint the County Manager as the Records Management Officer and the Deputy County Manager as the Deputy Records Management Officer for compliance. Commissioners provided updates, including an appointment to the Naming Committee and concerns regarding harassment of animal control staff and potential unauthorized camera footage distribution. The Board entered Executive Session to discuss security plans and legal matters, passing a motion to approve the remand order upon reconvening.

The meeting addressed several new business items involving applications for variances, rezoning requests, and a special exception. Variances were considered for front yard building setbacks (Application 26-01V denied; Application 26-08V approved with conditions) and for frontage/lot width (Application 26-10V denied). Rezoning requests included a multi-use zone change (Application 26-03Z recommended for approval) and a change from R-1 to VN for office suites/coffee shop use (Application 26-10V recommended for approval with conditions). Another request involved rezoning to R-6 and a Future Land Use Map Amendment (FLUM Amendment for Application 26-02FLUM recommended for approval), while a related rezoning request (Application 26-04Z) was tabled due to an inadequate site plan. A special exception request (Application 26-03S) for a utility substation was recommended for approval with conditions. The commission also recommended approval of the revised concept plan for the Heron Bay / Hwy 155 Village Node. A commissioner inquired about the contribution statement for board members.

The meeting commenced after a motion was passed to eliminate the Invocation and the Pledge to the Flag. The New Business segment consisted of a training session conducted by the County Zoning Attorney concerning specific procedural requirements for Zoning Appeal cases to be heard by the newly created Planning and Appeals Commission, per Code Section 410.