[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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":44,"_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,"_72":55,"_73":55},"mediaId",6240532,"mediaKeyId","3319377-18a9b94d827701ca6027aa75dbdc0c3b","parentId",3319377,"title","Residents ask for variance after building a 16x40 shop; planning commission recommended approval","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1953000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3319377-18a9b94d827701ca6027aa75dbdc0c3b&start=1953&end=1953","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3319377-18a9b94d827701ca6027aa75dbdc0c3b/thumbnail_1953000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6240532/Georgia/Residents-ask-for-variance-after-building-a-16x40-shop-planning-commission-recommended-approval","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240532-4e8f17b27003edd21e1281481b6c8688/orig.mp4?Expires=1775238719&Signature=HohjVIHLRIlQVBVKd5ZIwWKB8yXQH6QMf1u1RApAJREGXS6w8djkhPDWeqzYVgxKQDUcG~CwjhBGiob-Bxyrs3irFUQbz4Ss~u2rBQuxnnSLOBn6WnDmDbc4xMBULZRIvT53QI3r4BhV-u6YXPEDbmiBA7CWzmx14oYTbuh4PXT~LtopJHxizDChVbUnF05Bo7HxJ11ewhrpaXQ3QpvZhFILAuSXiYWNGURV-gyR2tZh56YyGks7V6zvyrWdo2WeNRRGLKgrcA3KB-JVrkixP5u4EtqHaw6kyY4fZH8uofLKjY0aeidDyUYCID7EsnfFWa2yHCHOnvGPY1swnfkY6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-15T16:45:02.2Z","article","Property owners who said they are continuing part of a long‑running family business asked the Stephens County Board of Commissioners for a variance after their 16-by-40 shop was flagged as having an incorrect setback.

The speakers said the structure was moved onto their property, electrical work was inspected and the county inspector then informed them the building’s placement violated the setback rule. They said the smaller 12-by-24 hobby shed on the lot had been in place for 15 years and that equipment and wiring are already installed in the larger building. The owners asked the board to allow the shop to remain in its current position and to grant a variance so the county electric cooperative can complete service hookup.

County staff told the board the item had been considered by the planning commission, which recommended approval; staff said the variance is expected to be considered at the board’s next regular meeting (the item will not be voted on that evening). \"The planning commission recommended approval so that they will be on your second meeting of the month,\" a county staffer said.

The board accepted public comment and told the owners the item would be scheduled for formal consideration at the next meeting; no vote or variance was granted during the session described in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5.13.2025 Stephens County Board of Commissioners Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","Property owners said they moved a 16-by-40 shop onto their lot for a family business and now face a setback violation; they said the building was placed near an existing 12x24 hobby shed and requested a variance. Planning staff said the planning commission recommended approval and the matter will be on the next commission meeting for a vote.","taxTitle","Stephens County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",56360,"location","Georgia","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6240534,"Commission approves $11,717.40 invoice for assessment‑notice services",45,673000,718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3319377-18a9b94d827701ca6027aa75dbdc0c3b&start=673&end=718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3319377-18a9b94d827701ca6027aa75dbdc0c3b/thumbnail_673000.jpg","/articles/6240534/Georgia/Commission-approves-1171740-invoice-for-assessmentnotice-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240534-afaccbe6a7214ab2d6271363860e3e2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775238719&Signature=TxKdXw6RR4HL1NF1-OiNbUUm8iRSsmdP2g0P0bfYvIFUmrBKQt-cCCHKIc6XPGMwB-4WuMLQ0DQkeVYu7ebXrgDmzTz3oo6cMQwmJAgHH5cQ4TVCC7Gtt46aD3WYwJORyKKswWoD5Ls1MBXxFxk854xFQYQlR2Jl9HuM~bQ1cujZ1vlAcHUFZfSWIwPvAl2FQ5e2l60pRGljzKRKRMf5btTRbUk3h-zAEV9ZQbihYAsVjVgaKiHYIWaTJtGUcyUzTiB54eKGZWWFc929MI~h-XnJfby~oACHG04~iDkKrD~Xt4AcYWsclLCu~vqNj-8eZmt5mS-~hZBTvGSab1pqTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved payment of a timely invoice to DIVCO Diversified Companies LLC for $11,717.40 for assessment‑notice services used by the tax assessor’s office.

A county presenter said DIVCO handles assessment notices for the assessor and that the item was time sensitive, which is why it was placed on the agenda. A motion to pay the bills was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

No further discussion of vendor contract terms or funding sources took place during the meeting.","Stephens County approved payment of $11,717.40 to DIVCO Diversified Companies LLC for assessment-notice services for the tax assessor’s office.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6240539,"Commission approves amendment with Safe Built Georgia LLC for civil plan‑review services",39,631000,670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3319377-18a9b94d827701ca6027aa75dbdc0c3b&start=631&end=670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3319377-18a9b94d827701ca6027aa75dbdc0c3b/thumbnail_631000.jpg","/articles/6240539/Georgia/Commission-approves-amendment-with-Safe-Built-Georgia-LLC-for-civil-planreview-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240539-1b34891b418b3973a6590269b6a2076f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775238719&Signature=kWBznUQzyLaLTOm5hjorGnhCXmu7Wm37Idvg~D8lZus1J0HECRsbi2PHZHk6anGfWsgl9gOkUp2b6r1L8wxKfe1rfJ3RcRCmYNMAUgV58JqMAOhEiV9FBspPTg9j4rzeawLP5SXRNKZOB~byXNcqLCOdpztAIh~jZc69No503UkppCHni4IC4ofv8~kFvAQewkD~5M~DdWAuQb0OoOKw8KM-mfXSw5-ofZ0I3426rjkl2hM5DutcEALgwwKzCtXlbQ6T5sKyIuJjOovDCdlRmt6ZqdRESuWF39O~iccuPyni7kCiQeSy4QZwp1y2aRzdCxQJsJL4fqY3CWK8yJ87mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved an amendment to its professional services agreement with Safe Built Georgia LLC to continue civil engineering plan review for commercial permits.

A county presenter said the amendment \"grants us the ability to continue to utilize those services,\" explaining Safe Built handles commercial plan review and inspections. \"Safe Built does our commercial, plan review, as well as commercial inspections. The civil engineering services specifically covers the commercial plan review,\" the presenter said.

A motion to approve the amendment was made, seconded and the board voted in favor; commissioners authorized the chairman to sign the amendment. No dollar amount was stated during the discussion and no public objection was recorded.","Stephens County approved an amendment to its professional services agreement with Safe Built Georgia LLC to continue civil engineering plan-review services for commercial projects and authorized the chairman to sign.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6240543,"Commission hears update on litigation over 21 Hardy Road; six‑month extension approved",71,225000,296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3319377-18a9b94d827701ca6027aa75dbdc0c3b&start=225&end=296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3319377-18a9b94d827701ca6027aa75dbdc0c3b/thumbnail_225000.jpg","/articles/6240543/Georgia/Commission-hears-update-on-litigation-over-21-Hardy-Road-sixmonth-extension-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240543-068d95fba7ea83cf7d0dfeb3657db067/orig.mp4?Expires=1775238719&Signature=ms6ji8hAZGGJ7LwaZogLvVpT3FJiKXeMIj51H4ZvToyRNbGCVfaE-2CsUA8cDFU~FFrpxmCnAYpTcij-ekxhos4cKewtlERZQ2ZFRIwUrKYVhI4yylvcYECSJbfYyUjCoR5C2IMj~1AeyN1I0SVqxIAJCktVss3EjoSR00KeOC4iE6Xgb1x-a~Rhi46-vsDzFvPXlY7jGfxl1yRMAdO-SnPzOONqIgLyVQ6yeQ5BbgGoeV7dgG4WtVzyw2NsrSxAdri4uAMC4icxgX7jWzu-vu6HZHbeDoR9ENisnhssLHpavhGibx5JlSiRbjvPKj~x3nDKT2hMm5nKEZmL~IiTrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stephens County commissioners heard an update on ongoing litigation concerning the property at 21 Hardy Road (Parcel 071i-001a) and voted to review the matter again in six months.

A county representative read that an extension had previously been granted to May 22, 2025 and that it was time to bring the item back for discussion. \"Lead counsel for Mobile Homes Direct is in the state legislature,\" said Mr. Perry, who provided the update. He said opposing counsel had sought a legislative stay under \"OCGA 9 10 1 50,\" which paused the case from the week before session until three weeks after session ended. \"The law is the law, and we've got to deal with the law,\" Perry said, adding that depositions are being rescheduled now that the stay has ended.

Perry told the commission that litigation scheduling can be slow and unpredictable: the county has two civil trial weeks per year and cases often wait years before trial. Commissioners then approved a motion to review the item in six months, with an exception that either party would report back earlier if a settlement is reached. The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes.

No settlement was reported at the meeting and no further enforcement action was directed by the board at this time.","The commission received a litigation update about the property at 21 Hardy Road (parcel 071i-001a). Counsel said a statutory legislative stay recently blocked progress; commissioners voted to revisit the matter in six months unless a settlement is reached.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6240548,"Residents urge Stephens County to clarify complaint-based 'nuisance' ordinance",618,812000,1430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3319377-18a9b94d827701ca6027aa75dbdc0c3b&start=812&end=1430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3319377-18a9b94d827701ca6027aa75dbdc0c3b/thumbnail_812000.jpg","/articles/6240548/Georgia/Residents-urge-Stephens-County-to-clarify-complaint-based-nuisance-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240548-814f189b76e18bad68564d76de87b16f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775238719&Signature=mePP94koentLITHtkeu4rdgjwBwZYjSaB6o64JUuaPPL~CjonB733eA4Sb1NkLNBA0jqPqZI~TNnnb7YlHN3pbImlTXB1~vkOMJGuallGKJ6GCUehEDYDcAHjsd8nF8aXFHA8AVgTNM0YD3ZkZh0~ARhY~oV6oqgEP3ZVe1I6wzFuvEB2toIcgL6XPDEb8wBYF9zTj2BEo6nFLzo-ZNUpdFV0GjwtX2eAp-Zd6N-RkUFhSTYBSPGdKCjZhSrtJgao~DqYg-m2Q2Jkl9Fmq73cB~S8zgf1iaVwBKZ8mhsPeNHOg2gNSVZkAVszMPETIIRxbcM8-1kzv~QYq534odKPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Stephens County residents asked the Board of Commissioners to amend Chapter 34 of the county code — the county’s nuisance and land-use provisions — arguing the ordinance’s complaint-driven enforcement allows selective or malicious use.

The public comments, delivered during the meeting’s public-comment period, centered on how the ordinance defines “eyesore” and how marshals enforce complaints. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is now under fire because the ordinance is wording as failed and placed opinions over rationality,” said Shannon Shirley, a resident of Brandyberry Drive. Shirley and other speakers said the ordinance’s subjective language allows neighbors to file complaints over aesthetics and use the marshal’s office to press personal agendas.

Residents described cases they said reflected uneven enforcement. Tiffany Lathan, who identified herself during public comment, asked commissioners, “Is this current ordinance being properly and fairly enforced in its entirety?” She and others suggested the marshal sometimes treats neighbors differently; one speaker quoted a marshal as saying of his neighbors, “Those are my neighbors and it’s not my business.” Speakers urged the county to remove or narrow subjective terms such as “eyesore” and to consider requiring marshals to investigate visible infractions independently rather than acting only on complaints.

County staff responded to the comments by saying the board has been revising land-use chapters over the past years and agreed wording can be ambiguous. One commissioner said staff will review Chapter 34 and compare other counties’ language for possible revisions. The board did not take formal action on changes to Chapter 34 during the meeting.

Residents also raised related land-use issues including enforcement resources and whether some enforcement decisions are influenced by differences in property owners’ incomes. Several speakers asked that the county seek clearer, less subjective definitions so enforcement does not “pit neighbor against neighbor.”

The board encouraged continued public involvement and said it would review the ordinance language and examples from other counties before further action.","Multiple residents during public comment asked commissioners to revise Chapter 34 — the county's nuisance/eyesore ordinance — arguing complaint-based enforcement enables selective prosecution and penalizes lower-income property owners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents ask for variance after building a 16x40 shop; planning commission recommended approval

Commission approves $11,717.40 invoice for assessment‑notice services

Commission approves amendment with Safe Built Georgia LLC for civil plan‑review services

Commission hears update on litigation over 21 Hardy Road; six‑month extension approved

Residents urge Stephens County to clarify complaint-based 'nuisance' ordinance