Call To Order: 6:00 pm
Approval of 5/5/2026 Commission Meeting Minutes: Yay 5, No 0
Approval of 5/5/2026 Budget Public Hearing Minutes: Yay 5, No 0
Consent Agenda. Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Management and Internal Services Committee
(H1a) RFP# 2026004-RFP1313: Disaster Debris Management Services Agreement with Ceres Environmental Services, Inc.
(H1b) RFP# 2026005-RFP1313: Disaster Debris Monitoring Services Agreement with Debristech, LLC.
(H1c) RFP# 2026009-RFP1313: Disaster Recovery Public Assistance Consulting Services Agreement with Synergy Disaster Recovery LLC.
(H1d) RFP#2026007-RFP1011 Temporary Workers & Payroll Agreement with Augusta Temporary Services, Inc. dba Augusta Staffing Associates
(H1e) Building C Network Equipment Lifecycle Purchase
(H1f) Professional Services Addendum with Clariti Cloud Inc. for the Implementation of Clariti Permitting and Licensing Solution
(H1g) Award Bid # 2026015-BID3000 and Contract to Sommers Construction, LLC for the Construction of the Restroom Facilities at Evans Towne Center Park and the Racquet Center
(H1h) Award RFP Professional Services Contract with Craig Gaulden Davis Architecture, LLC | PBK for the Design of the Columbia County Fire Rescue Engine Company 13 Replacement Station
(H1i) Contract Renewal Number 3 with Northwest Exterminating Co., Inc. for Exterminating Services
(H1j) Contract Renewal Number 3 with Otis Elevator Company for Elevator Maintenance
(H1k) Contact Renewal Number 1 with ADSI Moving Systems
(H1l) Contract Renewal Number 4 with A-Com Security Company, LLP dba Acom Integrated Solutions for Fire and Intrusion Monitoring Services
(H1m) Contract Renewal Number 1 with E Logic Incorporated for Move Management Services
(H1n) Professional Services Contract with Booker + Vick Architects for the Design of the Columbia County Vice & Narcotics Unit Office Building
(H1o) Contract Renewal Number 1 with KAMO Manufacturing Company, Inc. for the Purchase of Janitorial Supplies
Development and Planning Services Committee
(H2a) Bid# 2026001-BID3313 and Contract# 2026-3565 with Gearig Civilworks for the Horizon South - Chamblin Connector Project
Debate Agenda
New Business
Development and Planning Services Committee
(I1a1) VA26-05-01, Variance to Section 90-53 List of lot and structure requirements, 417 Hastings Place, Tax Map 082I Parcel 422, 0.47 +/- acres, and currently zoned R-3 (Single Family Residential) and easement encroachment agreement. Approve: Yay 5, No 0 (with condition that homeowner apply for building permit within 10 business days.)
Tammy Pye (Homeowner): Would like to keep added cover/awning structure attached to home. Didn’t realize a permit was required, and even the code enforcement officer was initially unsure. She advised that she was never told to stop work and completed the structure while permit process was pending. Uses the area when watching her grandchild during the week.
Lee Prim: Ms. Pye’s neighbor spoke in support and described Ms. Pye as a good neighbor. Stated the structure caused no visible harm or neighborhood issue.
Joe Mitchell: Ms. Pye’s neighbor. Noted that original structure existed before a neighbor that was opposed to the structure, moved in. (Opposing neighbor was at planning meeting I think, but not at this meeting).
Schlachter: Involves 3 parts: a building permit, setback Variance and easement Encroachment Agreement. Structure extends into the side setback and drainage easement, commission had to approve variance and encroachment before permit could be issued.
(I1a2) VA26-05-02, Variance to Section 90-144 Placement of building and structures, 4044 Mullikin Road, Tax Map 077I Parcel 367, 0.24 +/- acres, and currently zoned R-2 (Single Family Residential). Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Schlachter: Homeowner has an existing 6ft fence but because of the way the backyard slopes, would like an 8 ft privacy fence to give more privacy while enjoying above ground pool in backyard.
(I1a3) RZ26-05-01, Rezoning from R-A (Residential Agricultural) to PRD (Planned Residential Development), 5703 Wrightsboro Road and off Wrightsboro Road, Tax Map 052 Parcel 002N and Tax Map 051 Parcel 068, 76.02 +/- total acres, and currently zoned R-A (Residential Agricultural), and a Major PRD (Planned Residential Development) Revision, off Baker Place Road, Tax Map 051 Parcels 048, 049, 049A, and 049C a combined 150.55 +/- acres and currently zoned PRD (Planned Residential Development). Approve: Yay 5, No 0
(I1a4) RZ26-05-02, Rezoning from C-2 (General Commercial) to M-1 (Light Industrial), 3985 Gordon Highway, Tax Map 043A Parcel 043A, 1.53 +/- acres, and currently zoned C-2 (General Commercial). Approve: Yay 5, No 0
This is considered together with I1a5, the next item.
Schlachter: Currently operating as Harlan Paint & Body. Rezoning allows owner to add towing and vehicle storage. Several improvement were made to property without permits, which triggered the accompanying Variance requests (look under following). Willing to allow gravel storage area because towing lots often contain damaged vehicles that can damage asphalt, however staff recommended customer parking eventually be paved.
Planning Commission conditions required the parking lot to be completed by the end of the year, but the applicant requested three years to complete the work while getting business established. Commissioners Couch & Carraway supported the longer timeline, and motion amended to allow 3 years.
Additional conditions:
Any future buildings on site require installation of fire hydrant
Fence could remain as-is, but if replaced in the future, would have to meet current code
Stormwater analysis required because of amount of gravel added to property
Health Department requested inspection of septic system because no septic permit was on file.
(I1a5) VA26-05-03, Variances to Sections 90-98 List of lot and structure requirements, 90-133 Parking, and 90-144 Placement of buildings and structures, 3985 Gordon Highway, Tax Map 043A Parcel 043A, 1.53 +/- acres, and currently zoned C-2 (General Commercial).
A front setback Variance for a covered awning added too close to Gordon Highway
A variance allowing gravel instead of paved parking in portions of lot
Permission for existing 10-ft fence to remain, although county code generally only allows 8ft fence with additional 2 ft of barbed wire
(I1a6) RZ26-05-03, Conditional Use for Indoor Recreation, 3001 McCrary Court, Tax Map 072 Parcel 231G, 1.95 +/- acres, and currently zoned M-1 (Light Industrial). Approve: Yay 5, No 0
(I1a7) RZ26-05-04, Rezoning from R-A (Residential Agricultural) & PUD (Planned Unit Development) to PRD (Planned Residential Development), off Baker Place Road, Tax Map 051 Parcel 008H, 54.8 +/- acres, and currently zoned R-A (Residential Agricultural) & PUD (Planned Unit Development). - Postponed to June 02, 2026 Yay 5, No 0
Schlachter: Wants to open a golf simulator and golf instruction business. Zoning district allows that type of use, it required commission approval as a conditional use permit.
(I1a8) RZ26-05-05, Rezoning from R-A (Residential Agricultural) to S-1 (Special), off Anderson Road, Tax Map 050 Parcel 039F, 319.36 +/- acres, and currently zoned R-A (Residential Agricultural) Approve: Yay 5, No 0 (with condition that access through the Anderson Farm neighborhood be closed so quarry traffic could not use neighborhood roads.)
Vulcan Materials quarry expansion
Dan Lanning: Nearby resident. Company was transparent with neighbors, held meetings, tours and provided blast notifications by text message already. Would reduce truck traffic because overburden material could remain on-site instead of requiring about 40K truck trips on public roads. Described Vulcan as good neighbor and long-term plan would minimize impacts near nearby homes.
Steve Leaning: Nearby resident. Supports request. Says he was skeptical at first before researching and touring site. Approval would reduce truck traffic, road wear and dust from hauling material off-site.
Greg Sloyer: Nearby resident. Praised Vulcan’s community outreach, saying company representatives went door-to-door speaking with neighbors. Suggested the county should expect/encourage similar early outreach efforts from companies for future controversial developments.
Teen speaker (didn’t catch her name): Nearby resident also spoke in support. Wrote a 10-page research paper on granite mining and argued the expansion would help reduce truck traffic, dust and road wear in the area. (Commissioners asked for a copy of the paper.)
Public Comments
John Ardell: Speed bumps in Forest Creek. (County will conduct traffic study.)
Susan Warren: Data Centers
Executive Session: None
Adjournment: 6:50 pm
The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday 6/2/2026 at 6:00 pm in the Auditorium of Building A at the Evans Government Center