Teri B. Lewis

The agenda for the upcoming meeting includes the approval of the previous month's minutes from February 17, 2026. New business focuses on a variance request submitted by Adrienne Hilson for a property at 47 Talmadge Drive to exceed the maximum size allowed for an accessory structure (a garage) to store classic cars. The supporting staff report details relevant zoning code sections concerning accessory structures and the criteria for granting variances.

The council meeting agenda covered numerous discussions, including the first reading of a request to rezone property at 0 South Highway 21 from AR-2 to B-2 for 672 Ministries Inc., following prior favorable recommendations. The council also addressed the first reading of a request to rezone property at 0 Magnolia Drive from R-2 to OC, which was recommended for denial by the Planning and Zoning Board and ultimately denied on first reading by the Council following discussion on comprehensive plan consistency. Another key item was the first reading regarding a conditional use variance for a cosmetology and barber training academy on Howard Avenue, which was ultimately denied by unanimous vote on first reading, despite a favorable recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Board initially. Major business included voting to award bids for Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades and the TSPLOST Road Paving Project. The council discussed proposed amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance across multiple chapters and a resolution to extend the moratorium on conceptual site plans within the Fort Howard Overlay District. The City Council also discussed appointing a representative to the Effingham County Board of Health (tabled) and the Industrial Development Authority (re-appointment approved), and approved adding streets to the paving list using LRA grant funds. A citizen inquired about uncompleted tree trimming and debris left from city maintenance operations, which staff agreed to investigate. The agenda also included administrative reports detailing strong city financials, savings on the AMI meter project, updates on liquor store regulations and development projects, and a scheduled executive session to discuss personnel, pending litigation, attorney client privilege, and real estate.

The Rincon Planning and Zoning Board addressed several new business items. The first involved a request to rezone a 5.46-acre parcel from AR-2 (Agricultural Residential) to B-2 (General Commercial) to facilitate the consolidation of three split-zoned parcels owned by 672 Ministries Inc., which was unanimously approved. The second item concerned a request to rezone a 0.23-acre property from R-2 (Residential Single-Family and Duplex) to OC (Office Commercial) to allow for the construction of a small office with a residential component; this request was unanimously denied due to concerns regarding non-alignment with the comprehensive plan and incompatibility with surrounding residential patterns. The final item was a request for a conditional use variance for a property to operate a cosmetology and barber training academy with a residential component, which was approved in a 3-2 vote despite concerns raised regarding access, lot width, traffic impact, and required easements.

The agenda for the Rincon City Council meeting included several public hearings and new business items. Public hearings covered requests for zoning map amendments for properties on South Highway 21 (requesting B-2 General Commercial rezoning) and Magnolia Drive (requesting OC Office Commercial rezoning, for which the Planning and Zoning Board recommended denial), a conditional use variance for a cosmetology and barber training academy on Howard Avenue (recommended for approval), and a Master Plan Amendment for the Williamsburg Planned Unit Development to increase townhome density. New business included a request for the purchase approval of a 2026 F-250 truck for the WWTP, first readings for the zoning amendments discussed in the public hearings, a resolution amending Planning Fees, appointments to the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority and Board of Health, a request to add streets to the paving list, and discussion of administrative reports covering golf course updates, facility maintenance, and WWTP status. The meeting also addressed executive session items concerning personnel, pending litigation, attorney client privilege, and real estate.

The meeting included a public hearing concerning proposed amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), covering multiple chapters such as General Provisions, Definitions, Development Regulations, Parking & Streets, Signs, Development Review, Subdivision Regulations, and Maintenance & Enforcement. Key agenda items involved approving Pay Request #6 for the Lost Plantation Sidewalk Extension project. The Council held second readings for two separate rezoning requests submitted by Jake Patrick to change parcels from AR-2 and AR-1 to PUD zoning, and a second reading for an ordinance amending Chapter 6 regarding Retail Package Liquor Stores. New business included the first reading of the UDO amendments, a vote on guidelines for the Liquor Store Lottery (which was tabled during the previous meeting), a vote to appoint a new member to the Planning and Zoning Board, a request to surplus three Fire Department pickup trucks for auction, and approval requests for Budget Amendments BA-2026-1 and BA 2026-02. The agenda also included multiple administrative reports and an executive session to discuss personnel, pending litigation, attorney client privilege, and real estate.