[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6091198,"mediaKeyId","2864360-63d7486e3f2d41c3c04321fe41323916","parentId",2864360,"title","Votes at a glance: Columbia County Board of Commissioners, April 1, 2025","audioSeconds",1712,"startMs",73000,"endMs",1785000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2864360-63d7486e3f2d41c3c04321fe41323916&start=73&end=1785","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2864360-63d7486e3f2d41c3c04321fe41323916/thumbnail_73000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6091198/Columbia-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-Columbia-County-Board-of-Commissioners-April-1-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091198-4af9d7fbc183f271bdb312d4632fd6f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162876&Signature=nqKQkPttKFuIfNNN8JN94tB3HeIwPIVHRQAQu5rd0sg5bcSI4qHEzHRP3Dxjp517g6KY7s~gZoTtmdu2bJ0OwHBwF6Gfq~a2ahalwZ5GaPCE8ViYyUzSYupU0PCc5IBdyAWVHqofc2kzKePvymPCUSxJBT0p7w1HKG868LCYZb7BQkurdoDk2cYfUxodw539wgSrOJQQQbW9CfkZI3krvFMpK0TxFdUG7qP24ofctvfGEwzqAtmrE2w6efFwFVSKbglfRST8EF-QdTzDf44UyXIHL6RXDKP6BBSwi2FT-RUYlmSqSToRJB0HHcuN26cCzBimhZvsFAKYwhy~Z6BilA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-03T17:30:41.54Z","article","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners took the following formal actions on April 1, 2025. Where a roll call was not recorded in the transcript, outcomes are reported as stated by meeting minutes and the board.

1) Approve minutes from March 18, 2025 (commission packet and budget work session). Outcome: approved (motion and second; recorded as carried).

2) Approve consent agenda (all items on consent). Outcome: approved (motion and second; recorded as carried).

3) I‑1‑A‑1 — Major S‑1 revision to permit preschool use at property (tax map 0778 parcel 016C). Outcome: approved (motion by Commissioner Allen; recorded as carried).

4) I‑1‑A‑2 — Major PUD revision to subdivide tax map 060 parcel 1755 into three single‑family lots. Outcome: approved (motion by Commissioner Allen; recorded as carried).

5) I‑1‑A‑3 — Rezoning from R‑1 to R‑2 for tax map 060 parcel 013B for a proposed single‑family subdivision. Outcome: approved, 4 yes, 1 no (conditions from Planning Commission report 03/20/2025 apply).

6) Variance — Reduce building setbacks for tax map 077A parcel 011E (including 3‑foot setback adjacent to CSX right‑of‑way). Outcome: approved (motion carried).

7) Postpone Change Order No. 1 with MB Con for UV Advanced Oxidation Treatment to the April 15, 2025 meeting. Outcome: postponed (motion and second; recorded as carried).

8) Approve letter of support to GDOT for SR‑47/Highway 221 widening from Appling to Harlem and provide $2,000,000 county funds as match once GDOT approves the project. Outcome: approved (motion and second; recorded as carried).

9) Appointment — Approve employment agreement with Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library System and Amanda Hamm as director. Outcome: approved (motion carried; county described role as conduit for a state‑funded position).

10) Approve class D vehicle smartphone allowances for superior court judges, effective April 1, 2025. Outcome: approved (motion carried).

11) Approve right‑of‑way payments: $13,400 to Larry and Emily Wyatt (partial 072395) and $28,000 to Terrence Price (partial 067023) for Hereford Farm Road widening. Outcome: approved (motion carried).

12) Adjourn. Outcome: approved (motion and second).

Notes: Where meeting discussion referenced Planning Commission reports, GDOT/MPO processes, or other procedural steps, those items remain subject to future studies, hearings and administrative approvals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025.04.01 Columbia County Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of formal motions and outcomes taken by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners on April 1, including minutes approval, consent agenda, planning items, postponement of a change order, funding commitments, appointments and right‑of‑way payments.","taxTitle","Columbia County, Georgia","taxId",12804,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6091201,"Resident urges vote on library guidelines; commissioners approve regional library director appointment",45,1300000,1345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2864360-63d7486e3f2d41c3c04321fe41323916&start=1300&end=1345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2864360-63d7486e3f2d41c3c04321fe41323916/thumbnail_1300000.jpg","/articles/6091201/Columbia-County/Georgia/Resident-urges-vote-on-library-guidelines-commissioners-approve-regional-library-director-appointment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091201-72b6ae987f97731b08fcb61ffd00f353/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162876&Signature=e56BcIm6KAaOGRivvKby0rxNjYYZfHhs3PwmC494V~KXmxJeITP-6u6fZ-6WWemnd4iV2jH2yRxh07g-DRI-qSoNY4BgC3Y3VKIsbr-w2V-bF05Sgr9xFF3lve3X-M5WrKakitMZlBp~sWs4KGoiha13KkCKe7GdFUR58bvL~zMoBz8GAqSsMeN2D9VusKsycqBxR-19qcCOrA-7lR92FxnDImgkygw~emE0liAa40hbv81ikET8z2QK3bwAIwr6nzfPY8drwuBQAKZmDDP4LhwxGmzoLc6SJC3UdRS6hWFhVNet9MdxSYke3YNmzwYmIIyikt-edop1OoGm90FuVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Columbia County resident used the public‑comment period on April 1 to criticize recently proposed library guidelines and urge the board to take a public vote. Marlena Bergeron, of 2545 Willow Creek Court, said the guidelines are “too nebulous” and asked commissioners to “Put your Columbia County Library guidelines to a vote.” She described missing and removed titles and expressed concern about proposed restrictions and their effect on access.

Bergeron referenced state legislative activity, saying she had contacted librarians across Georgia about S.B. 74 and urged local officials to avoid policies that she said would “criminalize librarians” or restrict access. She said the library provides broad community services, including technology help and programs, and called the library “the spirit and soul of democracy.”

Later in the meeting the board approved an employment agreement to appoint Amanda Hamm as director of the Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library System. A commissioner noted the regional director is a state‑level position funded by state money and that the regional system selects its director; the county’s action was described as a conduit to approve the agreement.

Commissioners also issued proclamations recognizing April as Native Plant Month and Safe Digging Month; representatives from the Georgia Native Plant Society and the Augusta River Region chapter spoke briefly about plant rescues and outreach. Hope Marshall from the utility coordinating group was on hand for the 811 proclamation encouraging safe digging practices.

The appointment of Amanda Hamm and the proclamations were approved by motion and second.","During public comment, Marlena Bergeron urged commissioners to put Columbia County library guidelines to a public vote and rescind them; the board also approved the Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library System's employment agreement appointing Amanda Hamm as director.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6091206,"Commissioners pledge $2 million toward SR‑47/Highway 221 widening study; allocate funds for Hereford Farm Road right‑of‑way",670,1093000,1763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2864360-63d7486e3f2d41c3c04321fe41323916&start=1093&end=1763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2864360-63d7486e3f2d41c3c04321fe41323916/thumbnail_1093000.jpg","/articles/6091206/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commissioners-pledge-2-million-toward-SR47Highway-221-widening-study-allocate-funds-for-Hereford-Farm-Road-rightofway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091206-6d30366a96460529cd492ea95eec4ed2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162876&Signature=ZHX3HMtq14daOCshKtrtRZecSRpkk1aq0Sm6~zqegmUt6YhnkUhutacW-NlghXlYclUAk6-D6DNsA-FYsob9fQ8Ufd61sg~PmORL9msFoWvczKZDe67oH7m1gIJFYR7sAw7kSajyS1wq5l8oh6yzjdooymQCZQzG32YqD-6eqVFYYDTBGLeIl7tW2~kaEnROqtAb6oHa0-OeAAGbuE-gNOahrfD9efvsmerJxXawxvOpkQpUV4nrwku88sDS26~FeQNYnIhMi6Bpy5jiAgvlkNq8CuRGM4fy5uBI7y0UxlKgmAZ5makKNnwLt1DhASn2Ednmj5ESLrXeRfmr8ku69g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on April 1 voted to send a letter of support to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for a corridor widening of State Route 47/Highway 221 from Appling to Harlem and to provide $2,000,000 in county funds as a local match if GDOT approves and funds the project.

County staff said the project is at a preliminary stage: no scoping or termini are finalized and GDOT must study corridor limits, potential effects on Harlem city limits, intersections near schools and interstate crossings. A staff member said the funding would support scoping and preliminary engineering; “DOT seems to think with this letter of support, they’ll have funding approved, July 1 to start this project.” The board’s $2,000,000 is intended as a match for state and federal funding and would be provided to GDOT once the project is approved by the department.

Commissioners were warned the full delivery timeline could be long: staff said an expedited DOT process might take seven to eight years to begin construction, and crossing federal requirements could extend the timeline to about 10 years for the entire project, including right‑of‑way acquisition.

On a related local road item, the board approved payments of $13,400 to Larry and Emily Wyatt (partial 072395) and $28,000 to Terrence Price (partial 067023) to obtain rights‑of‑way or easements needed for the Hereford Farm Road widening project. A staff member described the payments as standard negotiations and noted the county’s negotiated acquisition formula applies.

The board approved the letter of support and the right‑of‑way payments by motion and second.","Columbia County approved a letter of support and a conditional $2,000,000 county match for the State Route 47/Highway 221 widening project and approved payments totaling $41,400 to acquire right‑of‑way for the Hereford Farm Road widening project.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6091211,"Commissioners approve R‑2 rezoning for Callaway Road area; several site revisions and variances also pass",172,480000,652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2864360-63d7486e3f2d41c3c04321fe41323916&start=480&end=652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2864360-63d7486e3f2d41c3c04321fe41323916/thumbnail_480000.jpg","/articles/6091211/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commissioners-approve-R2-rezoning-for-Callaway-Road-area-several-site-revisions-and-variances-also-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091211-834802e9d0545d5e9850631770ceabb9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162876&Signature=DVOYz77Yi9SZbVCnkfaYkK1a0P5DYJ-~LQVUTtSG6NKhwgmLR2ACoYaVpSf77aZcT7fBDELnaCQrMQQ9bNGMvysV4cD7mlzvFdXc7wmAX9Puxxs9W5U9PXuC9hd7UWG~FW3nbD0rOwoSznZX981ZyG9RQdi4iVqkuakD9HIsvK4k3INXGlKwOoJwrp4bucaCpw2lmYsUN-SgQVUQQ5VmE8RgAX8NJgYd8msSXRyY3-8tO1TndP7HJmmz3TWHY-mJ1klX8u5TSqYrLLpIDbfvpp5hlfOTHstLVkOzANancrdGDZRHd7CA0-MDfg-WYPHL5OviZv9SY84zj~5lJWDZ~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on April 1 approved multiple land‑use requests, including a rezoning from R‑1 to R‑2 for a parcel off Callaway Road that staff said could accommodate roughly 70 single‑family homes, and several related site revisions and variances.

The R‑2 rezoning (tax map 060, parcel 013B) was approved 4‑1 after discussion of traffic, fire protection and utility upgrades. County staff said the developer must fund road redesign and water‑system upgrades, install fire hydrants, and add turn lanes and traffic‑calming measures as conditions of approval. A staff member said, “They will have to pay for all of it.”

The rezoning sets the stage for a future development concept that staff described as nonbinding; the concept shown to commissioners indicated about 1.88 units per acre. Staff emphasized the county’s growth‑management plan allows up to three units per acre in this area and that final density will depend on subsequent plan approvals and possible variances.

Also approved were:
- A major S‑1 revision (tax map 0778, parcel 016C) to allow a preschool to operate in leased space inside an existing church building and to add a front playground enclosed by black, vinyl‑coated chain‑link fencing. Staff said additional landscaping will be required to soften the playground’s appearance.
- A major PUD revision (tax map 060, parcel 1755) to subdivide a former funeral‑home property into three single‑family lots; staff recommended R‑1 standards for setbacks and uses, and required shared access rather than three separate driveways.
- A variance for reduced setbacks on tax map 077A, parcel 011E, including a 3‑foot setback adjacent to the CSX right‑of‑way and reduced front setbacks in a portion of the site. Staff said the requested reductions are consistent with similar adjoining uses and would locate contractor storage and warehouse uses away from the road.

County staff noted that neighbors attended the Planning Commission meeting but did not put opposition on the record. Commissioners repeatedly stressed that road and utility upgrades would be developer‑funded and that detailed engineering, traffic studies and possible variances would return to the Planning Commission and the board before construction could start.

The board approved the planning items after motions and seconds; where recorded, the R‑2 rezoning passed 4‑1.

What’s next: Planning staff and the developer will proceed with required concept plans, engineering and any variance requests to be considered by the Planning Commission and the board before permits are issued or construction begins.","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning to R‑2 for property off Callaway Road allowing an estimated 70 single‑family units and passed three related land‑use requests including a preschool use at a church, a three‑lot PUD revision and a setback variance adjacent to CSX tracks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Columbia County Board of Commissioners, April 1, 2025

Resident urges vote on library guidelines; commissioners approve regional library director appointment

Commissioners pledge $2 million toward SR‑47/Highway 221 widening study; allocate funds for Hereford Farm Road right‑of‑way

Commissioners approve R‑2 rezoning for Callaway Road area; several site revisions and variances also pass