Franklin County

The meeting involved approving the amended agenda, which included removing an item related to TSPLOST and postponing a zoning variance request (Item 8b) until the March 2, 2026 meeting. Key discussions included the denial of a conditional use permit for a group home in an RR zoning district. New business focused on approving a resolution to opt into HB581, discussing the recommendation to make Sewell Road a dead-end road with stipulations pending communication with the Board of Education and the State, and approving funding for the 2025 Water Meter Replacement project. The Board also approved a 90-day extension for the Water Meter Moratorium, along with updates on current water capacity, new well testing, and water supply contracts with Lavonia and Toccoa. The meeting concluded with an Executive Session to discuss Land Acquisition, Litigation, and Personnel matters.

The meeting commenced with a request from the County Attorney to postpone the public hearing for Zoning Item 3b until the March 2, 2026 agenda to allow for further review and document procurement, which was approved by a 4-0 vote with the Chair recused. The modified agenda was then approved. Under New Business (Zoning Items), the Board heard an application for a Conditional Use Permit (C-2025-006) for a Group Home in an RR zoning district. The applicant detailed that the facility is for disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities, emphasizing strict monitoring and a zero-tolerance policy. Several residents voiced opposition due to concerns about safety, lack of immediate resources, and the nature of the proposed facility in a residential neighborhood. Following extensive questioning regarding staffing, funding, and tenant structure, the Board did not immediately vote. Variance application V-2025-012, concerning a reduction in the residential build front setback in an Agricultural Intensive district, was postponed to March 2, 2026, as agreed upon during the agenda approval phase. The meeting concluded with an adjournment motion.

Georgia 4-H's strategic direction focuses on preparing young people for life through hands-on learning experiences, emphasizing key focus areas including Agriculture, Science, Civic Engagement, Leadership, Health, and Wellness. The mission is to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing citizens. The plan outlines anticipated impact and program activities for the 2024-2025 program year across these core areas.

The primary business of this special called meeting concerned the appointment of the County Attorney. A motion was made to table the decision to allow for a cost analysis comparing two firms: Jarrard & Davis, LLC, and James Bates Brannan Groover. A representative from James Bates Brannan Groover provided details regarding their firm's structure, local investment, and a proposed flat fee of $1500.00 for monthly meetings, excluding litigation or specialized work. Following discussion emphasizing the need for financial comparison versus the urgency of securing counsel, the motion to table failed. The Board subsequently moved to hire Jarrard & Davis, LLC, as the County Attorney, with one commissioner abstaining.

The Public Hearing convened to address several zoning applications under New Business. Key items included a withdrawn variance request (V-2025-013) regarding minimum lot area requirements in a Rural Residential district. Other items included a request to rezone property from Highway Business (HB) to Light Industrial (LI) (RZ-2025-030), which was extended, and a related conditional use permit application for semi-truck parking (C-2025-005), which was withdrawn. The Board reviewed two other rezone applications: RZ-2025-031, from Agricultural General (AG) to Rural Residential (RR), which the Planning Commission recommended for approval; and RZ-2025-032, from Rural Residential (RR) to Agricultural (AG), to allow for the opening of a farm stand, which the Planning Commission also recommended for approval. An extension was requested for variance application V-2025-012 concerning reducing the residential build front setback in an Agricultural Intensive zoning district.