[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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",6268870,"mediaKeyId","3048674-b1c03bdda2a0c371ca0cd4536161733c","parentId",3048674,"title","Votes at a glance: Planning commission recommendations and approvals","audioSeconds",1269,"startMs",3434000,"endMs",4703000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048674-b1c03bdda2a0c371ca0cd4536161733c&start=3434&end=4703","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048674-b1c03bdda2a0c371ca0cd4536161733c/thumbnail_3434000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268870/Columbia-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-Planning-commission-recommendations-and-approvals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268870-b1e821cb280439870663471d76bbecf8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770577453&Signature=CQEEDDCLlzadjzPeCfAxAouFV5brZg5UX3lgqdp1pK9qsOhQpI4obO7qiQuaXrAceDfaLqNXHR4SJwzz-p-YFsvDRvZXPgR9JhI6T04eFLFA~0sBVVPEmy7GlkFUyXEHnREDMzWGoDJA93Kja0JzVRWZCVRMXthHjpvkr51vNKTtdWRiSmW1xio6UaMrSzu9DQPVzOHUvS9qqFU-5bug6sZ51PZX0lVHMGMlFmxi6yp2JLq15r-ot-41w9T4~1AFzEqvbTJWgw81jeAo68ah1OEcht~AdNmAOnsxJfee5iHg867Zio2zFU0KcBcolwYLm51GTbN2UvDL542SbobyBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-15T22:26:45Z","article","The Columbia County Planning Commission handled a range of routine and substantive items at its meeting. The list below summarizes each formal motion recorded in the meeting and the commission’s outcome (all items listed were recorded as \"motion carries\" or \"recommendation carries\" in the meeting transcript). Items that require final action by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners are noted.

1) Vice chair appointment
- Motion: Nomination and appointment of Jim Steed as vice chair of the Columbia County Planning Commission.
- Outcome: Approved (commission appointment).
- Provenance excerpt: \"I make a motion to nominate Mr. Jim Steed, vice chair.\" (transcript block_871 to block_876).

2) Massage operator licenses (three applicants)
- Motion: Approve massage operator licenses for Pure Motion LLC (730 Evans Town Center Blvd, Suite 203), RavenWolf LLC DBA Massage Nomad (3685 River Watch Parkway), and Rosewater Spa and Wellness LLC (change of applicant to Treasurer Butler noted).
- Outcome: Approved (licenses recommended by staff; motion carries).
- Provenance excerpt: \"...the first 1 is Pure Motion LLC... Second is RavenWolf LLC DBA massage nomad... Last up is Rosewater Spa and Wellness LLC... that recommends approval of all these requests.\" (block_1003 to block_1036).

3) Hamilton Grove — revised conceptual plan
- Motion: Approve revised conceptual plan for Hamilton Grove (off Riceboro Road/Hamilton Road), split from previously approved 136-lot concept to two sections to meet revised fire-code access requirements.
- Outcome: Approved (recommended to Board of Commissioners for final action on related rezoning, as applicable).
- Provenance excerpt: Danielle explained the change driven by revised fire code and then: \"I make a motion to approve the revised concept plan for Hamilton Grove off Riceboro Road\" (block_1064 to block_1210).

4) Edgar Houston Builders — preliminary plat and final plat (same development)
- Motions: Approve preliminary plat for Edgar Houston Builders (26 single-family lots off Bill Dorn Road) and approve final plat documentation for the same development (minimum lot size ~2.52 acres, average ~4.43 acres, RA zoning).
- Outcome: Both approved.
- Provenance excerpts: Preliminary plat motion and approval (block_1221 to block_1316); final plat motion and approval (block_1326 to block_1384).

5) Temporary Use Authorization (TUA) — 5790 Harlem Grove Town Road
- Motion: Approve temporary use authorization to allow a camper as a primary residence for 12 months while the manufactured home is repaired after hurricane damage; utilities allowed to be connected as customary.
- Outcome: Approved.
- Provenance excerpt: \"He's requesting to make use of that camper as the primary residence on this property for the next 12 months...\" and motion to approve TUA (block_1394 to block_1558).

6) PUD revision — Pinnacle Bank (801 Ronald Reagan Drive)
- Motion: Recommend approval of major PUD revision file RZ25-0401 to permit a new bank at the corner of Ronald Reagan Drive and Evanstown Park Boulevard; staff recommended approval of elevations and design compatibility with the overlay district.
- Outcome: Approved (recommendation to Board of Commissioners).
- Provenance excerpt: Staff and applicant presentation then motion: \"I have a motion to recommend approval of file RZ25DashO401, major PUD revision at 801 Ronald Reagan Drive for the development of a new bank.\" (block_1559 to block_1845).

7) Variance, Callaway Road — VA250401 (also captured above with South Wind Phase 5)
- Motion and outcome noted: Approved.
- Provenance excerpt: See South Wind Phase 5 items (block_1846 to block_2014).

8) Home occupation — provisional for Sanhairs Crown Solutions (1695 Dogwood Trail / Santa Cruz Ground Solutions listed in motion)
- Motion: Approve provisional home occupation allowing site-preparation business equipment (truck, two trailers, mini excavator, skid steer) to be parked on RA property, with staff recommending approval.
- Outcome: Approved.
- Provenance excerpt: Applicant Felipe Sanchez spoke and the commission approved the provisional home occupation (block_2133 to block_2253).

9) Major S-1 revision (William Few Parkway) — retail nursery and gift shop (RZ250402)
- Motion: Recommend approval of the major S-1 revision to permit a retail nursery and small gift shop in addition to existing contractor offices, with conditions carried forward from prior rezoning including buffer and a limit on active businesses.
- Outcome: Approved (recommendation to Board of Commissioners).
- Provenance excerpt: Staff presentation and applicant Ryan Kroger spoke; motion moved and carries (block_2262 to block_2632).

10) Marsh Point driveway PUD revision (River Island)
- Motion: Recommend approval of a major PUD revision to allow a driveway from Marsh Point Road for property at 776 and 778 Marsh (alley-loaded lots); staff recommended approval because proposed materials are low-impact (permeable pavers/grass infill).
- Outcome: Approved (recommendation to Board of Commissioners).
- Provenance excerpt: Staff presentation, applicant comments and motion (block_3434 to block_3776).

11) Additional items approved with motions recorded
- File VA250402: Variance to reduce undisturbed buffer width to 30 feet for a major site grading project at Stable Ridgeway (4 Oaks) — recommended/approved by commission.
- Major PUD/concept and other routine items (see full minutes) — motions recorded as \"motion carries.\"

Notes: All items listed above were recorded in the meeting minutes as motions that carried or recommendations that will be forwarded to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners where indicated. Many items that require engineering, roadwork, fire-code, health department or stormwater approvals were approved conditionally and will require additional certifications at the construction/permit stage.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia County | Planning Commission (April 17th)","oneSentenceSummary","A concise list of motions moved and voted on at the Columbia County Planning Commission meeting and the commission’s recorded outcomes.","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},6268875,"Commission approves cul-de-sac variance and concept plan for South Wind Phase 5 after staff finds topography limits connections",286,1846000,2132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048674-b1c03bdda2a0c371ca0cd4536161733c&start=1846&end=2132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048674-b1c03bdda2a0c371ca0cd4536161733c/thumbnail_1846000.jpg","/articles/6268875/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commission-approves-cul-de-sac-variance-and-concept-plan-for-South-Wind-Phase-5-after-staff-finds-topography-limits-connections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268875-a1c46c20d2868396d331d9468b5413e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770577453&Signature=jLyC9WExFDQm3257cu~TBK8IuoxpRmIaZn~EnX5bbf1lKhlFXqf2A0EstiS~6sCSlVDkCo-uKPLkA8BhKgKptOSDVvLKScp~ZwQEutxWL3p7YfOgd05K~zF3fkY8E6luwqe-6XKlKkQLYLezu8L6VHBvoR2E2mGSBfShjIt5ndyWzMcJ6N~Y-QA9I4aeViK0eBDszD0jErgKpjgkq~~CFtJBogEMWunG~NxbbhvyVEDkD9rZ1KXoPMtV5RxZRAVaMLWjqxAwM2chvlUXoi0c2n5LQdbb3XV75usbvwlWbGChtrwITeKN3hGyOG7aJ59~65yfknqEF0VLewsDpFjg0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Planning Commission approved a variance to allow a cul-de-sac length well in excess of the 700-foot county standard and recommended approval of the related concept plan for South Wind Phase 5, a proposed 70-lot single-family subdivision off Callaway Road Extension.

What staff found: Planning staff explained the cul-de-sac would be just under 2,000 feet on the concept plan and that connecting to the adjacent South Wind 4 parcel was infeasible because earlier approvals and the site’s topography did not provide a viable stub connection. Staff also cited state waters and wetlands that would have to be crossed for an alternate connection and said the cost and environmental impacts weighed against an additional connection. Based on those site constraints, staff recommended approval of the variance and the concept plan.

Applicant remarks: A Houston Homes representative appearing for the applicant said the applicant worked with staff and engineers and that the development tried to avoid crossing state waters while still meeting lot and zoning standards. \"Miss Danielle did a great job of explaining why we're not trying to go over state waters across some of this topography,\" an applicant representative said at the hearing.

Concept plan specifics: The concept shows 70 single-family lots with public water and sewer, extensive open space (over 36 acres), and a 50-foot buffer on three sides of the property (staff noted the buffer on Callaway Road will be verified during construction plans). As a condition of rezoning, significant improvements to Callaway Road and its intersection with Hereford Farm Road are required, staff said.

Decision: The commission approved the variance (file VA250401 permitting cul-de-sac to exceed 700 feet at 414 Callaway Road Extension) and recommended approval of the concept plan for South Wind Phase 5.

Next steps: The recommendation will go to the Board of Commissioners for final action; construction will require final engineering, road improvements and compliance with stormwater and buffer conditions.","The commission approved a variance allowing a cul-de-sac to exceed the 700-foot typical limit at 414 Callaway Road Extension and recommended the related concept plan for the 70-lot South Wind Phase 5 development; staff cited topography and state waters as reasons a connection stub to adjacent property was not feasible.",{"_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},6268877,"Planning commission backs Augusta Christian elementary site across from existing campus on Baston Road",1168,2663000,3831000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048674-b1c03bdda2a0c371ca0cd4536161733c&start=2663&end=3831","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048674-b1c03bdda2a0c371ca0cd4536161733c/thumbnail_2663000.jpg","/articles/6268877/Columbia-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-backs-Augusta-Christian-elementary-site-across-from-existing-campus-on-Baston-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268877-ac7ab90bf2d234db2899a833f633c3fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770577453&Signature=T5wnVLJtrUeD0p2byJPlMaF0MGh3e16dZjEPkepQBtSNUgcvlMtDNBHebDBFZ7rIcEeggl~DviyqXHTzAvDh2eryEphz3wyT128-UXjwqHIHYubhDWgp25DiAgBYTialvYOx~KV7Cv-GDJETQPOtAZjesqgwIYiEbQ~MKU6UEqFyic5EOfLrZhwkElMAaOwz5H3glxrdJBzHxwi0rRhVAhLcaUEWd1o6PHepYew0IfLWuorNQTsA~o2xNQWU6OBbsF6xVnBnb~VvA~7Sa11wDlzivJTKRCF7lPSgtZBtkt8I65LwvPS7IlPhFy5dxp3QXJqm3QH-OI65lQyAVmG-Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request for an elementary school site proposed on Baston Road by Augusta Christian School. The school seeks to site a separate kindergarten-through-fifth-grade building on property directly across from its existing Baston Road campus.

Why it matters: The project would consolidate elementary grades closer to the main campus and allow facility upgrades that administrators said would improve safety and operations. Neighbors and staff raised traffic flow and pick-up staging as the principal operational challenges to address before construction.

Staff presentation and school comments: Planning staff reported that the property is a split-zoned parcel and that the proposed elementary building would be roughly 42,000–46,000 square feet with a gymnasium and outdoor play areas. Staff said the health department requires connection to sewer, and the applicant indicated the school and county were working to secure that connection before the Board hearing. Joe Todd, who said he serves on the Augusta Christian board, explained the project is intended to let the school phase out older buildings and improve campus security and operational efficiency.

Traffic and public input: Staff and the applicant discussed existing traffic patterns at the site and the need for queuing and staging to avoid spillover onto Baston Road. Residents at the hearing noted concerns about heavy traffic and visibility — for example, one neighbor cited instances of people running across Baston Road during football events. The applicant said reconfiguration of pick-up patterns and staggered dismissal times would be considered and that final engineering would address queuing and sight lines.

Decision and conditions: The commission voted to recommend approval with conditions; staff listed traffic and sewer-connection conditions to be resolved at the engineering and site-plan stage. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final action.","The commission recommended rezoning to allow an elementary school site adjacent to Augusta Christian’s existing campus; staff and school representatives discussed traffic staging and sewer connection requirements.",{"_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},6268879,"Planning commission recommends conditional use for daycare on Flowing Wells Road despite resident traffic concerns",917,3787000,4704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048674-b1c03bdda2a0c371ca0cd4536161733c&start=3787&end=4704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048674-b1c03bdda2a0c371ca0cd4536161733c/thumbnail_3787000.jpg","/articles/6268879/Columbia-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-recommends-conditional-use-for-daycare-on-Flowing-Wells-Road-despite-resident-traffic-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268879-13164754f80338105d9ba60831ff2d81/orig.mp4?Expires=1770577453&Signature=QEpdeZqLYUU6b0mvql6qqLxWmSOIXHtOPTF6ADmKVrDqoUhHFpH3iPksjZDRet9OaT2Hqph8uvBckhVI4T90KdpqYs9a6m-1zychhFHrhvKDgpJZsRIEs5r3oRibDuku31uQHe0F0JMa~Z5o70KMeCf6jvTwymeSPXTQDs~JBH3AC4e15p65TZBjqorDKBKXL~FwcrGN2bdo0Js9m35WO3IJkJIvHXS7VgsGabcxFx~0fT4efdHi9mj1wu1aTYI7tU9f8a3c6Fb0jNYRyApxV88hc1TKJZUTc3qussuu1orwYohgP8N6WXqBfRTwBfe2ki6HcQJzkSLBBaPnxSulGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a conditional use permit allowing a proposed daycare at 450 Flowing Wells Road. Staff presented a conceptual site plan showing a roughly 13,000-square-foot building, a fenced outdoor play area and an initial operating plan of about 40 children that could grow to around 200 at full build-out.

Why it matters: Daycare and school uses generate concentrated drop-off and pick-up traffic that can affect nearby residential streets. Planning staff and the applicant discussed traffic timing and circulation as key unresolved engineering details to be addressed in site-plan review.

Staff presentation and applicant comments: Planning staff said the conceptual layout meets state space requirements (35 square feet indoor per child and 100 square feet outdoor per child) and that the applicant proposed operational measures, including staggered pickup times and on-site queuing, to reduce roadway impacts. David Wallace, representing the franchise and franchisee interests, said the facility’s drop-off and pick-up flow can be supported if adequate parking and circulation (he cited up to 45 parking spaces as helpful) are provided.

Public concerns and response: Several nearby residents, including Angela Lewis of Benson Court, told the commission they are worried about traffic on Flowing Wells Road and the safety of children crossing or being dropped off near a busy segment. \"It's very dangerous already... the biggest thing that concerns me is Friday night football games... it's so dark,\" Lewis said, describing heavy traffic and visibility challenges. Staff acknowledged the neighborhood’s safety concerns and said the final entrance location and traffic handling would be resolved during engineering and site-plan review.

Decision and conditions: The commission voted to recommend the conditional use permit for the daycare (filed in the meeting as \"file RZ25-405 conditional use for a daycare at 450 Flowing Wells Road\"). Staff noted that Traffic Engineering had not required a specific binding entrance condition at the hearing because the final engineering analyses were not complete; the commission’s recommendation does not waive required engineering or safety approvals.

Next steps: The recommendation will be forwarded to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for final action. If the Board approves the conditional use, the applicant must complete engineering-level traffic and drainage plans and obtain building and other permits before site construction.","The commission recommended approval of a conditional use that would allow a 13,000-square-foot daycare at 450 Flowing Wells Road; residents flagged traffic and safety concerns and asked for further traffic planning at the engineering phase.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6268880,"Planning commission backs code changes that shrink residential buffers, revise subdivision process",0,3156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048674-b1c03bdda2a0c371ca0cd4536161733c&start=3156&end=3156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048674-b1c03bdda2a0c371ca0cd4536161733c/thumbnail_3156000.jpg","/articles/6268880/Columbia-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-backs-code-changes-that-shrink-residential-buffers-revise-subdivision-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268880-ad21f5bf4e3da080826b084c1d288945/orig.mp4?Expires=1770577453&Signature=Fgd6IyTCEE4RVaWzzq~qBSTzw-aPiyZScxc3dkZtGDBy-b4sZWmE5CiWB5YYArXSs8CGLx4da8sT~SfDxQCfVElLXURdl-CsQu0hfbFDMJZQNMiU0IV8Qyi35MpQaafoyPbvIoCt9ajlPCFS~Bn2hUU0kYb070Tgik9SNAxlbwmUKKe4mLa0AsliiiZxWNFZQZhQJpOpVVz5VwYWGR~mxDfAfcyKBQbLcFepNHKkzm0oW-9YmjoaorLIWRJzvt~dpfBbcSfEokMy~NuQn~ei~M4-UdsQ4U2PfJcFAinV2cICjHKmA1tWj8Twolnc~0nmijaO1rQz08v8eda4R605cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Planning Commission on Wednesday recommended approval of three text amendments to the county code that would change how concept plans are handled, halve the typical residential buffer and update landscaping standards.

Planning staff and commission members said the package is intended to streamline subdivision review and ease development friction while preserving review safeguards. \"The biggest thing here is that the 50 foot buffer is getting cut in half to 25 feet on residential properties,\" Will, a county planning staff member, told the commission during the discussion. He said the change would be paired with a requirement that buffers be owned and maintained separately — typically by a homeowners association — rather than being placed on individual lots.

Why it matters: The buffer change drew the most debate at staff and community meetings before Wednesday’s hearing because it alters a long-standing standard that affects lot layout, tree preservation and future lot owners’ maintenance obligations. Staff said the change aims to balance post-storm safety concerns, development feasibility and the long-term preservation of green space by placing buffers on dedicated, maintained parcels rather than individual lots.

Key details: The commission voted to recommend changes to three code sections: Chapter 74 (subdivision procedures and concept-plan handling, referenced in the meeting as Section 74-36), Chapter 90 Section 90-139 (buffers and screening), and Chapter 90 Section 90-140 (landscaping requirements). Staff said the Chapter 74 revisions will allow staff to not return a concept plan to the commission if the rezoning already included a concept plan and subsequent plats do not substantially change that plan. Chapter 90 changes clarify buffer ownership, allow plan-review flexibility for berms and adjust street-tree spacing from 40 to 45 feet (25 feet for smaller street trees), staff said.

Discussion and safeguards: Staff and commissioners repeatedly stressed that some code provisions remain: more intensive projects that trigger major site grading will still be subject to technical engineering review, and use of adjacent non-developable areas (floodplain, publicly owned land) as part of a buffer would be reviewed case-by-case. \"We will look at that in plan review,\" Will said. Public safety, sightlines at intersections and fire-code requirements will continue to be enforced through site plan and permitting review, staff added.

Next steps: The commission’s recommendation is advisory; the package will go to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for final consideration at its May 6 meeting, staff said.

Despite the changes the commission approved, staff and commissioners said development reviews and engineering checks remain in place to verify grading, drainage and sight-line safety during permit and site-plan reviews.","The Columbia County Planning Commission voted to recommend changes to county code that cut the required residential buffer, revise subdivision concept-plan rules and update landscaping requirements; the measures now go to the Board of Commissioners for final action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Planning commission recommendations and approvals

Commission approves cul-de-sac variance and concept plan for South Wind Phase 5 after staff finds topography limits connections

Planning commission backs Augusta Christian elementary site across from existing campus on Baston Road

Planning commission recommends conditional use for daycare on Flowing Wells Road despite resident traffic concerns

Planning commission backs code changes that shrink residential buffers, revise subdivision process