Call To Order: 6:01PM
(This is portion are transcripted comment from Chairman Duncan before the invocation)
Back in June of this year in Minneapolis, a head of the Democratic Party for her state… Her name Melissa Horman who was assassinated in her home. And then two other elected officials, a State Senator and his wife, were shot by the same gentleman. And of course, I’m assuming everyone’s aware of the assassination of Charlie Kirk last week. The political violence has been really brought to the forefront. To me, it’s more than just violence. It’s about how we treat each other. At this juncture, we face a deep test of who we are history teaches us that progress comes through debate, through voting, through the rule of law. I think a key point for me is that the people we argue with are not our enemies. They’re our neighbors. They’re our friends - fellow citizens. And even though we have different perspectives on life and other folks that we are diametrically opposed on most issues are not bad people. With that said, we shouldn’t pretend that the differences are going to disappear because they’re not. Democracy is built on differences, debating the differences on argument, on compelling visions of what’s best. We can agree that disagreement is not an excuse for political violence. It’s risen to a sad state in our country. So again, I pray that we teach our children that the way to change this country is through raising our voices, not raising a fist or a gun. I call on everybody here tonight and everybody in our community to reject political violence clearly and unconditionally.
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of 9/2/2025 minutes: Yay 4, No 0
Special Recognitions: Columbia County Leadership
Consent Agenda: Yay 4, No 0
Management and Internal Services Committee Commissioner Melear
(H1a) Employee Medical Premium Rates, Spousal Surcharge, Weight Loss Medications
(H1b) United Healthcare Employee Medical Insurance Renewal for Year 2026
(H1c) Contract with Employee Services, Inc. for Employee Assistance Program
(H1d) November 11, 2025 Committee Meetings
(H1e) December 2025 Committee Meetings
(H1f) Purchase of Building A Furniture
(H1g) GDOT FY 2027 5311 Rural Transportation Program Application
(H1h) Cisco Smartnet Renewal Payment Authorization 2025-2026
(H1i) Cisco Enterprise Agreement Payment Authorization 2025-2026
(H1j) Approval of Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) Relating to the use of Columbia County Data Network and Security Practices
(H1k) Cityworks Annual Maintenance Authorization of Payment 2025-2026
(H1l) Independent Contractor Agreement with WSP USA Inc. for the Performing Arts Center Support Facility for Special Inspections and Material Testing Services
Development and Planning Services Committee Commissioner Couch
(H2a) Purchase of County Vehicles
(H2b) Alcoholic Beverage License Legacy Ties LLC dba Eggs Up Grill
(H2c) Easement Encroachment Agreement for Tax Map 067 Parcel 2379
(H2d) Conditional License, Encroachment and Maintenance Agreement for the License Area of Whimbrel Court Right of Way
(H2e) Easement Encroachment Agreement for 510 Pineview Court
Debate Agenda
New Business
Management and Internal Services Committee
(I1a1) Fiscal Year 2026 Medication Assisted Treatment Grant Program from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Approve: Yay 4, No 0
Been in place for many years and self-explanatory.
Development and Planning Services Committee
(I1b1) VA25-09-01, Variance to Section 90-53 List of lot & structure requirements, 84 Chigoe Lane, Tax Map 024 Parcel 202, 1.28 +/- acres, and currently zoned R-4 (Recreational Residential) and Easement Encroachment, Approve: Yay 4, No 0
Reduce the property setback from 10’ to 0’ for a pool. Due to proximity to lake, Corp of Engineer concerns added as a condition - inspections/surveys of foundation and pool walls.
(I1b2) RZ25-09-01, Rezoning from C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) to RA (Residential Agricultural), 5605 Old Augusta Highway, Tax Map 054 Parcel 032, 2.00 +/- acres, and currently zoned C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) Approve: Yay 4, No 0
C-1 property that hasn’t been used as C-1 for over 12 months. Asking to go back to RA but would need to be combined with next lot (also owned by same owner) to make it conform to the legal “right” size.
(I1b3) RZ25-09-02, Rezoning from C-2 (General Commercial) to C-3 (Heavy Commercial) with a Conditional Use for an Automobile or Truck Storage Lot, 270 Rose Street, Tax Map 078D Parcel 084, 3.58 +/- acres and currently zoned C-2 (General Commercial) Withdraw w/o Prejudice: Yay 4, No 0
Next item is companion Variance request. Applicant is not going to build the project, so owner is asking to withdraw both this and the following Variance.
(I1b4) VA25-09-02, Variance to Section 90-133 Parking, 270 Rose Street, Tax Map 078D Parcel 084, 3.58 +/- acres and currently zoned C-2 (General Commercial). Withdraw w/o Prejudice: Yay 4, No 0
See (I1b3)
RZ25-09-03, Rezoning from PUD (Planned Unit Development) to S-1 (Special),Off Columbia Road, Tax Map 061 Parcels 2140 & 2141, 39.49 +/ acres, and currently zoned PUD (Planned Unit Development) Disapprove: Yay 4, No 0
Warren Critco - Owner tried to build something but due to natural topography owner can’t build other things. Goal of company is to bring clean renewable energy and help lower electricity prices. GA Power is looking at this location to help meet demand. Address Community concerns from last meeting:
Negative impact on wildlife: no, not a big enough solar farm to impact wildlife
Runoff - working with another company to do site work to mitigate this concern
Will increase temperature: 6 megawatt, won’t increase temperature and under the panels, will be cooler
Harmful chemicals leak if destroyed in hail storm: Using panels manufactured in Georgia. He gave some specs on the panels.
Panels have short life span - expected to last 35 years
Will use non-reflective all matte, no mirror effect
Wouldn’t be visible from the street except for entrance.
Brenda Heideman:
Large hailstorms in Nebraska and Texas destroyed solar panels and released chemicals into the environment. Concerned the chemicals would be released into nearby creeks
Joanne Murdoch:
Solar farm does not meet characteristics of the area. Residential area right next, county’s premiere recreational facility across the street. Bad location, it doesn’t fit. Citizens shouldn’t pay for the owner that can’t build on that property due to the topography.
RZ25-09-04, Rezoning from C-2 (General Commercial) to M-1 (Light Industrial), 475 Lewiston Road, Tax Map 061 portion of Parcel 030L, 1.30 +/- acre portion of a 30.46 +/- acre total, and currently split zoned C-2 (General Commercial) and M-1 (Light Industrial). Approve: Yay 4, No 0
Split-zoned Parcel. Looking to rezone. Want to build another building. Accompanying Variance.
VA25-09-03, Variance to Section 90-139 Buffers and Screening, 475 Lewiston Road, Tax Map 061 Parcel 030L, 30.46 +/- acres, and currently split zoned C-2 (General Commercial) and M-1 (Light Industrial). Approve: Yay 4, No 0
(see above) They want to move a fence.
RZ25-09-05, Rezoning from a split zoned M-1 (Light Industrial) and R-A
(Residential Agricultural) to S-1 (Special), 480 & 500 Chamblin Road, Tax Map 061 Parcels 087A & 087, 35.96 +/- combined acres, and currently split zoned M-1 (Light Industrial) and R-A (Residential Agricultural). Approve: Yay 4, No 0
Senior living community with 3 different levels of care.
RZ25-09-06, Rezoning from a split zoned C-2 (General Commercial) & R-4
(Recreational Residential) to S-1 (Special), off Ridge Road, Tax Map 024 Portion of Parcel 057, a 7.86 +/- acres, and currently split zoned C-2 (General Commercial) & R-4 (Recreational Residential). Disapprove: Yay 4, No 0
Proposed RV/Boat Storage facility.
Before public comments answered questions about data center (This is at 49:07 in the Livestream, linked at the top of the page if you want to hear what was said in full):
Does Columbia County possess water capacity using existing infrastructure to support maximum water usage?
Open-loop systems use evaporative cooling and use more water
Closed-loop systems use less water but more energy
Developer required to pay estimated cost of $81 million to build water infrastructure.
Have comprehensive hydraulic assessments been conducted to ensure nearby creeks are capable of effectively handling runoff from a 100-year event?
Details of development have not been finalized. As they’re developed they will be done in accordance with principles of low impact development as described by the Georgia Storm Water Management Manual. The amount of water leaving he site will not be greater that its pre-development. Nearby property is and waterways will not be impacted. All local state and federal rules and regulations and codes will be followed.
500 Ft buffers
Leave existing vegetation in place
If there is an open field & no existing trees, than other designs may be used.
Power-Supply Back Up
Details not determined
Will comply with all regulations
Will the owner or developer put in wells?
No ground well will be permitted for this development
Sales Tax for energy consumption.
State provides some tax incentives
No additional will be provided by the county
Taxes
They will pay property taxes, real and equipment.
Yes, will pay Equipment Ad Valorem
Will the commission consider reversing the Rezoning?
No but its in the best interest of the County.
Looking at stand-alone zoning for the data center to add additional requirements
$20 Mill/ $100 Mill is Homestead Property Tax. Goal is to do away with the property taxes for those that qualify for the Homestead Exemption.
Public Speakers:
Alan Wyatt: Data Center
Susan Warren: Data Center
Karin Parham: Library
Howard Johnson: Library
Marlena Bergeron: Library, escorted out by deputy while playing Star Spangled Banner on violin
Executive Session
Property
(M1a) Property A: Hereford Farm Rd Project. 88% complete
Adjournment: Yay 4, No 0
Next Columbia County Commission Meeting: October 7, 2025 at 6:00 pm in the Government Auditorium at 630 Ronald Reagan Drive