[{"_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":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",6235323,"mediaKeyId","3405374-b64fdcaad8cabf35f8a5758a09fb57df","parentId",3405374,"title","Commission postpones variance for buffer and separation at proposed gas station on Washington Road after public concern about traffic and access","audioSeconds",1941,"startMs",1109000,"endMs",3050000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405374-b64fdcaad8cabf35f8a5758a09fb57df&start=1109&end=3050","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405374-b64fdcaad8cabf35f8a5758a09fb57df/thumbnail_1109000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6235323/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commission-postpones-variance-for-buffer-and-separation-at-proposed-gas-station-on-Washington-Road-after-public-concern-about-traffic-and-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235323-cb5a3894ae7507eb09320676f4a67aa9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391098&Signature=aTNsAE8FVXXnX8VI2m00WSH1~ttQo2FhASJDyz8vTdkcGWHScEW-s7jd03eV-Qskgfvw1gTSr517U7i7j7QyvpJhpbOsz~YXyvVSXqmemQL04zDbsd4gL7cd4PNN62kx8YRihtX2DF6zWDQo7EU13VYNhoJWp~7M0UZI-diKCCkur6y8DcvUcJTK4YP1kklPPhA71EBtY65aA4Gc785FyV53raEhjjzwip2XvZsMDISq75bi91sGkqO0F7-74sNKgansgCFPEA-UMEuM8NiL4MXKHARYCGtcIHzw40LJ5szvLjoxQrAdtc7ydiUUb90w7YA5C4qm9H2z7XEmEhiAJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-19T13:02:24Z","article","The Columbia County Planning Commission on May 15 voted to postpone action on a variance request for a proposed gas‑station and convenience‑store development at 3900 Washington Road, citing outstanding site design issues and public concerns about traffic and neighborhood access.

Planning staff presented the variance application, explaining that the property is zoned C‑2 (general commercial) but shares lot lines with adjacent single‑family residences. Staff said the application sought relief from Section 90‑139 (commercial‑to‑residential buffer requirements) and Section 90‑147 (additional separation requirements, including a 100‑foot separation for structures associated with gas stations). The existing site contains a vacant Walgreens building and an aging privacy fence; staff said decades‑old conditions left required buffers incomplete.

A representative for Parker’s Kitchen, Daniel Ben Israel, real‑estate development manager, told the commission the company had worked with staff and agreed to install an opaque fence, evergreen plantings, relocate the dumpster and generators away from the residential lot lines, and submit a photometric plan to limit light spillover. He said the developer had reduced parking and would consider reducing the store footprint and canopy size to create more buffer space. “We would consider reducing the store size and relocating some of those spaces,” Ben Israel said, and added the company would consider measures to keep truck traffic off the neighborhood access road.

Several nearby residents spoke in opposition, citing congestion at the Washington Road/Bobby Jones corridor and the potential for customers and trucks to use a rear access that leads directly into local neighborhoods. Kimberly Yachts, 3914 Casa Rosa Avenue, said the neighborhood already experiences heavy cut‑through traffic and added, “When we get to a Parker’s Kitchen, that's a huge — the Walgreens traffic pales in comparison to what that's gonna be.” Erin Thompson of Spring Lakes Drive said the corridor is already congested and that additional gas‑station traffic could worsen the situation.

Staff and the applicant discussed options with the commission, including proceeding with a recommendation as currently drafted, postponing to allow the applicant to refine site layout and parking, or sending the application forward so the Board of Commissioners could review it with any outstanding details. Commissioners ultimately voted to postpone the variance to the June 5 meeting to allow time for further revisions and staff review; the chair recorded the motion as carried. The postponement was made after public comment and additional staff discussion about parking counts, lighting, canopy/fuel positions and whether limiting truck access via a height restriction or other condition could be implemented.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025.05.15 Columbia County Planning Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Columbia County planners postponed a variance request for a proposed Parker’s Kitchen gas station at 3900 Washington Road after developers and staff said buffer, parking and lighting details were still unresolved and residents raised traffic and neighborhood access concerns.","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},6235327,"Commission grants temporary use authorization to keep mobile home during house construction at Lakeside Drive",87,979000,1066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405374-b64fdcaad8cabf35f8a5758a09fb57df&start=979&end=1066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405374-b64fdcaad8cabf35f8a5758a09fb57df/thumbnail_979000.jpg","/articles/6235327/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commission-grants-temporary-use-authorization-to-keep-mobile-home-during-house-construction-at-Lakeside-Drive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235327-182332d9339b6e052927349aff043f02/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391098&Signature=iNq6QmvUBlhwEQFRjGDG9~T4Bh4jVQiKLRFI~~ZulFc4XK3~63hvYhIk9jDCBrgI5A1MSzKAwC1qPf5BAlaXO~kGdmRH4~FMITUb1JLcvaXUz-4d57gkz7ajukj2OQ2EjLVmmOEQF7GuDZPhSiAXPNk6pbhCsF9KMedA2Vo-BC5Mv5Ir9T2DYbUHsdzZV2SrtvPiKsUrjlh69hr8mhNX9EWUfTv2hnAKCS6c~mNUpH5jSL-LI84CkrWNDNfilyeBSf2fXgAW1SfMx3gyT1l5fdn-DZ7ZTYbocyHqzBXGs1D-wTIvXHTMYV~QNvFx3zvMvieUGbodGlM5rwrtd1RXzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Planning Commission approved a temporary use authorization on May 15 to allow a mobile home to remain at 7561 Lakeside Drive while a new house is constructed on the parcel.

Planning staff described the property as zoned R‑4 in the Greater Winfield Hills area and said the applicant intends to build a new residence approximately 41 by 30 feet behind the existing mobile home. The mobile home would remain on site during construction and be removed once the house is completed. Staff reported no concerns and recommended approval.

Mike Fleming, who identified his affiliation with Wesley UMC but said he was present on behalf of homeowners Stacy and Brenda Slater, said he had no comments beyond answering questions. The commission approved the temporary use authorization by motion and voice vote.","The Planning Commission approved a temporary use request allowing a mobile home to remain at 7561 Lakeside Drive while an on-site house is built; staff said the proposal meets zoning and the mobile home must be removed after construction.",{"_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},6235332,"Commission approves provisional home occupation for pottery studio on Freeman Harris Road",96,854000,950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405374-b64fdcaad8cabf35f8a5758a09fb57df&start=854&end=950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405374-b64fdcaad8cabf35f8a5758a09fb57df/thumbnail_854000.jpg","/articles/6235332/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commission-approves-provisional-home-occupation-for-pottery-studio-on-Freeman-Harris-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235332-f7c43f171f9b5ab24820f2a5481e52eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391098&Signature=SOQPmbk56viZ8Lk2XN3kKQbDN33DfGGnec3e5WI5cSiYXwanZf6vC1megPxAhbD8-8CaAo8Z7t3NYrokYH98IvqkjbY45uDS3MZzrOfjody76dvim8X6hd2q1tNZsht3ufHQt4WBz55shg1FWhuiSjEblUiHI27WTRp-TXNTGpPAXWd2MVgAsqIXeZH0VQkqW~Ue3lc0MYIS9V4WA3EfzP9MGvpuCU4EeOYX4d8nzilUPv2Pe1iqPubcDxBH5tpwIuqkHIo1mOkMwLT0OBtaYlPw-tcJ~nRGUdLaOHQxgORex94i8ZSSJLyDwIhLFP5ESKRCPT7eQHaOm5DNyBRHMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Planning Commission on May 15 approved a provisional home occupation allowing a resident to use a detached garage to produce pottery for off‑site sale.

Planning staff described the application for “The Potter’s Cabinet” at 1420 Freeman Harris Road. Danielle told the commission the applicant intends to use an existing detached garage for pottery production and then sell items at vendor shows; there will be no customer traffic to the property. “All of the business activity as far as making the pottery would take place inside the detached garage. That does meet the square footage requirements for a provisional home occupation,” Danielle said.

Applicant Christina de Zutter told the commission she plans to make pottery in the garage and take finished pieces to vendor events. “I literally only intend to clean my mouth and hope somebody likes the end result,” de Zutter said. (Quote transcribed as spoken.)

Staff recommended approval, noting the operation should have limited impact on neighbors given the lack of on‑site customers and the size limitation. A motion to approve the provisional home occupation carried on a voice vote.","The Planning Commission approved a provisional home occupation for a resident to use a detached garage to make pottery for sale at vendor shows; staff said there will be no customer traffic and the use complies with square-footage limits for a provisional home occupation.",{"_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},6235337,"Commission approves preliminary and final plats for Coyote Creek Country Club, noting private infrastructure and pending Corps permit",133,646000,779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405374-b64fdcaad8cabf35f8a5758a09fb57df&start=646&end=779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405374-b64fdcaad8cabf35f8a5758a09fb57df/thumbnail_646000.jpg","/articles/6235337/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commission-approves-preliminary-and-final-plats-for-Coyote-Creek-Country-Club-noting-private-infrastructure-and-pending-Corps-permit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235337-98e3710a8c07d91729905c68f9b68575/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391098&Signature=o7dneMEa~W56C-isMIgTz~uYsaHTgUmmIhejn1hLvyhmwZu27MTNWecqWFpG2unVDQxzzrkV4aXRnxkE9dhsZ2kLe8Qz17pmOAx00GEJZp4G~G1t7XQXdw9~cDhsTClyWsABh2ukQO59Ag5Vdguft8Uz53UEeVo5P1op7OvZYVTJFG82EhGWCxuKrpyHAYCnniv~VUjYO5sX3FGAJiSO9V2-2ZZrdhawsewZ~AP70emF-L5Qq52IidYtu577T~YugzqqhhCgL9W6vb4HnDpNmM2Awk07RCPNCE9E5-f8Z4J98eJu0hfHbyh5SCL5Rq2iGiR5cXvN3r62sGBxt~BAtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Planning Commission on May 15 approved both the preliminary and final plats for the Coyote Creek Country Club subdivision, with staff approvals and conditions noted.

Will, planning staff, described the proposal as a 293‑acre property off Burkes Mountain Road and Smith Oaks Drive planned as a 13‑lot subdivision. He said the development will use private roads, wells and septic systems and that the county will not take public infrastructure for the project. “This development has no public infrastructure whatsoever. The road is private. Water is gonna be done through wells, and it's gonna be on septics,” Will said.

Staff and the developer noted a requirement that roads be bonded if constructed before final plat approval; the Board of Commissioners previously accepted a bond for the road. Will also told the commission that a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit for crossing a creek on the property has not yet been approved; staff recommended approval of the plats contingent on staff recommendations and pending permit approvals.

The applicant indicated they can build portions of the property that are not affected by the unapproved creek crossing and that all 13 lots meet county requirements. The commission passed motions to approve the preliminary and final plats pending staff approvals. The actions will proceed to the Board of Commissioners for final recording and any additional conditions.","The Planning Commission approved preliminary and final plats for Coyote Creek Country Club, a 13‑lot, ~293‑acre subdivision served by private roads, wells and septic; approval was contingent on staff recommendations and a pending U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit for a creek crossing.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6235341,"Planning commission recommends rezoning for 104-unit Planned Residential Development on Washington Road",136,269000,405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405374-b64fdcaad8cabf35f8a5758a09fb57df&start=269&end=405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405374-b64fdcaad8cabf35f8a5758a09fb57df/thumbnail_269000.jpg","/articles/6235341/Columbia-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-recommends-rezoning-for-104-unit-Planned-Residential-Development-on-Washington-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235341-f6d244b7f4ff342d0eeb916bc01f7b49/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391098&Signature=gZxdStfu9g~cpnJyGFhSvIXoZPgtLnEwF7xh-NnT5GM8gPaqg031JBt8jxU9iBlNWsIxV8qJijg6FEPtJ8E8wIVdYYsXKS7gVRw0Ek6QCwSdmJLo7zuK8Ch86IAHrkPsCE1kQUHd9Fr3vEtCkyhahHrkW1cxUMnY0ovRH3qpQ1vfYWq~tExY5-Gm6WIB1Ck4zl5sAcw2oawYbAPgb-BoxckEvG9b~PivrS54fgnjSHgJkpiazKoR1DNAfjWxf4Z9AEMByzJr4aM4S0EhrUAhK93IQX-XJ-GbI1T1qf5OMCx1rczVDhb00Cnm7eSczQf3QdAYTTI7NB8T7S24OBKFKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Planning Commission on May 15 recommended that the Board of Commissioners approve a rezoning request to allow a planned residential development on Washington Road.

Planning staff said the request, file RZ2501, seeks to change zoning from R-2 single-family residential to PRD (planned residential development) so a developer can build a mix of attached and detached cottage units arranged around common green spaces. Danielle, planning staff, told the commission the project was previously postponed to resolve technical issues and that an updated plan submitted May 2 reduced the unit count from the original concept to 104 units. “This does reduce the unit count and kind of spaces things out a little more,” Danielle said.

The site sits on the southwest side of Washington Road across from Mullins Crossing and between an existing apartment complex to the north and Washington Commons, a senior living complex, to the south. Staff noted the parcel lies at the edge of the Evans Activity Center on the county’s future land-use map, where higher-density housing is appropriate. Staff recommended approval with conditions requiring connection to county sewer and application of the Evanstown Center architectural requirements to the property.

Sean Smith of Cranston Engineering, representing the developer, said the development will be rental units and that the concept includes an on-site office building, pool and amenity space. “The intention is, renting all these units,” Smith said. He also confirmed the developer provided a fire-truck access plan that the fire department reviewed and found acceptable after the engineer verified the vehicle turning details exceed county requirements.

Commissioners asked about access and permitting. Danielle said the only access will be from Washington Road and that the developer must obtain a Department of Transportation driveway permit before construction plan approval. The proposed site plan and conditions also require that county sewer serve the project.

A motion to recommend approval with the staff conditions passed by voice vote; the chair recorded the tally as “motion carries 4, 1 against.” The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners, which will hold the public hearing on June 3.

The commission record shows the applicant and staff may be required to finalize technical details — including DOT driveway approval and final site plan compliance with architectural standards — before the Board of Commissioners takes final action.","The Columbia County Planning Commission voted 4–1 to recommend approval of RZ2501, rezoning a parcel on Washington Road from R-2 single-family to PRD to allow a 104-unit mixed cottage development, with conditions including county sewer connection and applicable architectural standards.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission postpones variance for buffer and separation at proposed gas station on Washington Road after public concern about traffic and access

Commission grants temporary use authorization to keep mobile home during house construction at Lakeside Drive

Commission approves provisional home occupation for pottery studio on Freeman Harris Road

Commission approves preliminary and final plats for Coyote Creek Country Club, noting private infrastructure and pending Corps permit

Planning commission recommends rezoning for 104-unit Planned Residential Development on Washington Road