Call To Order 6:00pm
Approval of 9/1/2026 Meeting Minutes: Yay 5, No 0
Presentation and Approval of Agenda:
Scott Johnson said he received a request from Commissioner Carraway to put a reconsideration of the September 1 motion concerning variance VA-26-0807 on the agenda. It was added as Item I-3.
Special Recognition, Presentation, and/or Declaration
Declaration Yay 5, No 0
Proclamation recognizing September 2026 as National Recovery Month
Consent Agenda: Yay 5, No 0
Management and Internal Services Committee Commissioner Couch
(H1a) Rental Agreement with the State Properties Commission for the Department of Revenue
(H1b) FY27 Service Agreement with CSRA Alliance for Fort Gordon
(H1c) Accepting the HMGP4830-0033-Columbia County Weather Radio Award from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
(H1d) Position Reclassification in the Clerk of Court
(H1e) 2026 ACCG – Group Self-Insurance Workers’ Compensation Fund Employee Safety Grant Award
(H1f) Authorize Annual Maintenance Payment for ROK Technologies Services
(H1g) Annual Support and License Agreement with Tyler Technologies for Enterprise Assessment & Tax Software 2026-2027
(H1h) Software as a Service Agreement with Tyler Technologies for the Enterprise Assessment and Tax Implementation
(H1i) Cisco Enterprise Agreement Payment Authorization 2026-2027
(H1j) County Camp Tower Attachment Site License Agreement with SouthernLINC
(H1k) Halali Farm Road Tower Attachment Site License Agreement with SouthernLINC
(H1l) Dell VMware / VXRAIL and Evidence Equipment Lifecycle Purchase from DELL
(H1m) Annual Renewal for Trimble Unity Maintain Software
Development and Planning Services Committee
(H2a) Resolution Number 26-23 Concerning the Corrective Quitclaim Deed, Reservation of Easement and Modification of Restriction for the Improvements on John Deere Parkway and the Corrective Quitclaim Deed
(H2b) Bid# 2026029-BID3313 and Contract# 2026-3701 with JHC Corporation for the Boardwalk Replacement at Reed Creek Interpretive Center
(H2c) Bid# 2026028-BID3313 and Contract# 2026-3702 with THMD Enterprises DBA HD Construction for the Reed Creek Bank Stabilization (Boardwalk) at Savannah Rapids Park
H2d) Alcoholic Beverage License Biscuit Belly LLC KY dba Biscuit Belly
(H2e) Easement Encroachment Agreement 872 Rollo Domino Circle, Tax Map 067 Parcel 1426
(H2f) Easement Encroachment Agreement 572 Country Place Lane, Tax Map 072G Parcel 035.
(H2g) Easement Encroachment Agreement 681 Whitney Shoals Road, Tax Map 060 Parcel 2103.
(H2h) Easement Encroachment Agreement 533 Meldon Road, Tax Map 078 Parcel 723.
(H2i) Easement Encroachment Agreement 535 Meldon Road, Tax Map 078 Parcel 722.
Debate Agenda
Unfinished Business
New Business
Development and Planning Services Committee
(I2b1) RZ26-09-01, Conditional Use for Therapeutic Massage, 501 Blackburn Drive, Tax Map 082 Parcel 079H, 0.51 +/- acres, and currently zoned P-1 (Professional). Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Schlachter: P-1 Zoned Property. Conditional use for therapeutic massage. One tenant is a medical spa, and they want to add massage. Current massage therapist relocating.
Duncan: Do they have their licenses?
Schlachter: Yes, State and local.
(I2b2) RZ26-09-02, Rezoning from R-A (Residential Agricultural) to S-1 (Special), off Old Appling Harlem Highway, Tax Map 030 Parcel 003, 49.28 +/- acres, and currently zoned R-A (Residential Agricultural). Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Schlachter: Rezoning for proposed wedding and event venue.
Tommy Stevenson: (owner) Several residents behind property raised concerns during the Planning Commission meeting. He believes they addressed most of those concerns and have worked to make sure neighboring residents understand what is planned for the property. Intends to build a “state-of-the-art facility.”
(I2b3) VA26-09-01, Variance to Section 90-147(g)(10)(b)(2)(v) Use Provisions, 5549 Columbia Road, Tax Map 050 Parcel 002K, 2.65 +/- acres, and currently zoned C-C (Community Commercial). Postpone to 11/3/2026: Yay 5, No 0
Schlachter: Request is for 24-hour operation of a Circle K. Several concerns raised by the public during the public hearing. Applicant working to address those concerns and requested additional time to develop a different plan before returning to the Board.
Item Added at the Meeting
Tax Map 078F, Parcel 063: Reconsideration of September 1 denial of variance. Reconsider: Yay 4, No 1 (Melear). Approve Revised Variance: Yay 4, No 1 (Melear)
Jonathan Perez: (applicant) Previous variance request was denied. After denial, went to county staff and asked what he could do to address the concerns. Staff recommended submitting a request for reconsideration. Reduced proposed building from 55’ x 25’ to 49’ x 25’, allowing it to meet the required side setback. Still requesting reduction of rear setback to approximately five feet. Moving the building farther from the rear property line would reduce usable yard space for his daughters. Building is primarily for personal household storage, including tools, generator, lawn equipment, seasonal decorations and children’s toys. Open portion would be used to store his trailer. Not intended for commercial use. Said only one neighbor spoke in opposition at the Planning Commission hearing and he submitted letters from neighbors supporting the request. Acknowledged beginning the project without confirming county requirements and took responsibility for the mistake.
Schlachter: Construction began without permits. Code Enforcement visited 6/3/2026 and issued a stop-work order. Perez subsequently applied for a building permit but could not receive one because the building was within required setbacks. If the variance is approved, Perez will still have to complete the permitting process and pay a $500 fee for beginning construction without a permit.
Duncan: Board must first approve a motion to reconsider the September 1 decision. If reconsideration passes, the Board can vote again on the variance.
Melear: Asked whether reducing the building to 49' x 25' means it is now completely outside the setbacks.
Schlachter: R-3 zoning requires 10-foot side and rear setbacks. Original request sought to reduce the side setback from 10 feet to four feet, and the side setback also contains a 24-inch concrete pipe requiring an easement encroachment agreement. Revised plan eliminates the need for the side setback variance. Applicant is now requesting only a five-foot rear setback and an easement encroachment agreement for the rear easement. No utility is currently located in the rear easement.
Melear: Asked size of the lot
Perez: Approximately 0.27 acres.
Melear: A house plus a 49’ x 25’ accessory building is a lot of structure on approximately a quarter-acre lot.
Perez: (Showed commissioners additional letters from neighbors and a picture of the structure.) Reducing size brings it into compliance with the side setbacks and he is now requesting consideration only for the rear setback.
Public Comment:
Howard Johnson Has concerns about automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. Said he has been protesting by holding a sign that blocks one camera’s view and has received overwhelmingly positive public response. Argued residents did not consent to being tracked by the cameras and said he will continue protesting and encouraging others to speak to the Board.
Karin Parham: Raised concerns about the Library Board of Trustees’ lack of documented training and financial oversight. Said no public record shows the Board adopted an FY2027 operating budget or has received required monthly financial reports. Also said matured CDs were moved to cash without public discussion or a Board vote. Asked the Commission to ensure trustees receive training and resume publicly overseeing budgets, financial reports and investment decisions.
Raised concerns about the proposed data center MOU and tax abatements, noting the MOU he obtained is unsigned. Questioned whether the county is giving up too much future property-tax revenue and asked for a comparison with normal taxation. Said he is not against data centers, investment or tax relief, but wants the best deal for county residents and questioned what happens if additional proposed tax-relief measures do not ultimately take effect.
You rock, Karin! ❤️