[{"_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",6233013,"mediaKeyId","3425509-23d671c6f21a159dbef434b3848ab91f","parentId",3425509,"title","Commissioners approve zoning-code revisions on conceptual plans, buffers and tree spacing","audioSeconds",384,"startMs",867000,"endMs",1251000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425509-23d671c6f21a159dbef434b3848ab91f&start=867&end=1251","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425509-23d671c6f21a159dbef434b3848ab91f/thumbnail_867000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6233013/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commissioners-approve-zoning-code-revisions-on-conceptual-plans-buffers-and-tree-spacing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233013-5aaa0f70ceb17342d9a0c78ad6503b22/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144076&Signature=DjQCMsoIqEXShSfNhGD31nljYAJkynqt8ErirA9ylPhAJhE13trX6hMl-hiQWjTQU3VoWWgw8tClAkM7Ot6F1TugOf~mPEHqx5oT8zAiCGbYd34f1Y1k63m29gZyLIOYwzRqrgugLWP1fAEp1FDp~7DzZ3OpHEE9bNfyfQrVO6hOr6lxL6t-IKDj-R9E3in2YdH-JvOM8uooBAaj2hW95iMUJDr7boTWNBs-2j1wOWsTbY1XbXMhHw9u1mXyZA00l7L4iHV2DjOggMKbY0sDXA82eiawj9ctA35sbPI83WwHLEIrt3v~Z8gKsFT1or-r747uiGOL~p90h1dkeJLBwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-21T15:31:59.61Z","article","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on May 20 approved second readings for several zoning-code amendments and resolutions intended to clarify plat and site-plan review, buffer and screening rules, landscape requirements, and to establish streetlight districts for new subdivisions.

County officials said the ordinance and code changes are technical updates designed to clarify when conceptual plans must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and when the Planning Services director may approve them; to allow planted berms as an alternative to natural buffer strips; to change tree-spacing requirements; and to require streetlight districts when requested by developers.

Under the conceptual-plan revision (Ordinance No. 25-02, Chapter 74), staff explained that properties undergoing rezoning will still require conceptual-plan review by the Planning Commission, but certain modifications that do not change access, increase density or alter interior street/lot layouts may be approved administratively by the planning director. For developments that are already constructed under existing zoning, the Planning Services director (or designee) will be the reviewing authority to confirm compliance with code rather than requiring another Planning Commission review.

The buffer and screening amendment (Ordinance No. 25-03, Chapter 90) includes several substantive changes: it allows driveways to cross buffers to create interconnected drives between adjacent properties; it permits planted berms as an accepted buffer treatment; it reduces a previously required 50-foot natural buffer around some residential developments adjacent to roads to a 25-foot buffer if that buffer is platted as a separate lot owned by a homeowners association so it can be protected; it allows buffer waivers or reductions adjacent to county-owned property, Board of Education property or in areas already protected by floodplain or wetland regulations.

The landscape amendment (Ordinance No. 25-04, Chapter 90) alters required spacing for trees — moving shade-tree spacing from 40 feet on center to 45 feet, and ornamental-tree spacing from 20 feet to 25 feet — requires review of plantings within 120 feet of intersections by traffic engineering, and adds a requirement that developers, not only builders, must commit to installing street trees in non-building areas on an agreed timeline so trees are not omitted years later.

The board also approved second readings to establish streetlight districts for Whispering Pines (sections noted in the packet) and Jackson Heights Phase 2 after the required public hearings. Commissioners said the streetlight districts were requested by developers and follow the county’s district-formation procedures.

Planning staff and commissioners said the changes are intended to reduce unintended loss of buffers over time, provide predictability for developers and homeowners associations, and move some routine approvals from commission hearings to administrative review where the changes do not affect neighboring access or density.

All of the ordinance and resolution second readings on the consent/debate calendar carried by voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025.05.20 Columbia County Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on May 20 approved second readings for multiple zoning-code changes covering conceptual-plan procedures, buffer and screening rules, tree spacing, and streetlight-district formation.","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},6233018,"Columbia County approves rezoning for White Oak Technology Park after residents raise noise, water and light concerns",1007,1553000,2560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425509-23d671c6f21a159dbef434b3848ab91f&start=1553&end=2560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425509-23d671c6f21a159dbef434b3848ab91f/thumbnail_1553000.jpg","/articles/6233018/Columbia-County/Georgia/Columbia-County-approves-rezoning-for-White-Oak-Technology-Park-after-residents-raise-noise-water-and-light-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233018-8a1820a99c8353ffa2c6942c0407b1b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144076&Signature=brfFGI~tQCsHGun7Smw~ofj5O7JxgsDTQitiiMJHCigAJOaze~3jMZXSl8cFCch5tfb1z6l8yhhxI0dThGwlQDFwK4lJzBmdokPzzivtuCarknjk6pHhE3430UjJaMW6UkrF1RDvCIpCFVDPdED7CCID-OKySKZpwf56tjJ60TKW8EOGvtdDm~ktJxS3dRG~SKnANnhoZsMCL7dKYBHKXD46~Ah~yPAJA56H1RIiXx3vbrh6LSx3P2w4bV0ePdWl1jivsBNKHdVqYJZe86BXRPGZD9s2sV5JXBk0G1TmBMxdngoRHhGvnBFqgsCKieIJdKp1O7HCHiBgO8UmmYeoPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on May 20 approved a rezoning request to allow the proposed White Oak Technology Park, rezoning two parcels (Tax Map 18 Parcel 6 and Tax Map 19 Parcel 3) from RA and a split RA/M1 to S1 to accommodate data-center development.

The rezoning matters because a data center can change local land use impacts — residents at the hearing cited generator noise, large water use, lighting that could create skyglow and potential traffic increases. County and Development Authority officials said the project’s final technical specifications will be set when an end user is identified and that future approvals would return to the board as needed.

At public comment, Manny Dallas, a resident on Morris Callaway Road, said he could hear nearby road conversations from his front porch and worried the data center’s generators and lighting would be audible and visible at distances of several hundred to more than 1,000 feet. “How can you vote on something where it does not address noise levels, water … and light pollution?” Dallas asked. He also asked how emergency-only access shown on the site plan would be enforced and expressed concern about runoff and the scale of the proposed buildings.

Chaney Eldridge, executive director of the Columbia County Development Authority, told the board the authority had pursued a data center as a high-investment, high-wage project that fit the county’s economic goals and that the authority has not yet secured an end user. “We don’t have an end user that would dictate this final use,” Eldridge said, adding that end-user specifications will determine final systems and that any end-user plans will have to come before the county. She said visits to comparable facilities found limited audible noise at building exteriors and that generator testing was rare: “When they did a study and looked at for a year how long those testings were going on, it was less than 3 minutes the entire year.”

Scott (Planning Services director), speaking for county planning staff, said the rezoning application included a narrative with site controls and that the county typically requires a lighting plan demonstrating zero foot-candles at the property line and downward-facing fixtures to reduce skyward light. He said access points shown on the submitted site plan are called out as emergency-only and that any change to a full-access entrance would require a return to a public hearing.

Drew Frederick of Tremble Crow Company, the project engineering team, said water use has been studied by the county water utility and that water-cooled mechanical systems — which can require millions of gallons per year — are not the only option: “There’s a water solution that’ll be at the expense,” Frederick said, and noted that the facilities typically secure access with gates and restricted employee entry. He added that sound mitigation such as sound walls or other measures can be used where testing or operation produces impacts.

County staff and the Development Authority emphasized that the S1 designation allows data-center uses but that specific operational details — including cooling systems, generator configuration and final landscaping/lighting plans — will be decided later and could require additional permits and public hearings. The board’s motion to approve the rezoning carried by voice vote.

Clarifying details included during the hearing: county staff said the concept narrative referenced as many as 24–29 buildings in a full buildout; Eldridge estimated long-term on-site staffing would be modest (roughly “probably 100 people”) compared with residential development; engineers and staff discussed water-use scenarios that could range into the millions of gallons if water-cooled systems were used but said alternative cooling methods are available.

The rezoning approval does not itself authorize construction; county staff said separate approvals and any end-user site plans will be brought back to the board for review.

The board approved the rezoning at the May 20 meeting; residents who testified asked the county to require noise and lighting plans and to confirm stormwater and traffic mitigations before any building permits are issued.","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved rezoning for the proposed White Oak Technology Park (data center) after a public hearing in which nearby residents raised concerns about noise, water use, lighting and traffic; the Development Authority and county staff said final technical details will be set when an end user is identified.",{"_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},6232999,"Commissioners approve payments and easement acquisitions for Hereford Farm Road widening",37,3960000,3997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425509-23d671c6f21a159dbef434b3848ab91f&start=3960&end=3997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425509-23d671c6f21a159dbef434b3848ab91f/thumbnail_3960000.jpg","/articles/6232999/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commissioners-approve-payments-and-easement-acquisitions-for-Hereford-Farm-Road-widening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232999-95e9dfe31441eb64975834704b006c11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144076&Signature=fb657jxpvbPULPbxN6-frPUId355lTpcC10ES4tIBN9aPg311NpqSDCeH4tZddEL9E1O4VAq246tkKRZL6kGQtAQN0NruShlIWkmsbAFlIYoC4JG92zXSuNrpT88X-e28js2zOyvFfwGBkjcKjIG8afhcpBn6Z1k0p1EgJQuib4pDX26lyUWXWLEheHNUB68jMOUPd~qVxz-M4oTyJG0LIAVT8RLiG6H-QUwz9mPaKSAcDlKQbBaJpDpK6aN9RhjbbV5abQ~al6SD~orymr9WSAgQZQIza-8AklOyTZ6grVpBRhZt8hcsxYTR5rDUm~BUTvlO-bPO6nPNPUCaC5rNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on May 20 approved a set of right-of-way and easement payments to property owners along Hereford Farm Road to advance a planned road-widening project.

Commissioner Couch moved a set of staff-recommended payments that included specific amounts for named parcels. The motion listed payments of $19,700 to David and Susan Tollson (parcel 6065), $20,800 to Catherine McDaniel (parcel 730002A), $20,350 to Allen Harrison (parcel 072A019), $86,500 to Nathan Holly Calaveri (parcel 072234), $16,600 to Christian Alamo (partial 0723243), $15,000 to US Duffy and Gail Duffy (partial 67-007A) and others to obtain rights of way and easements needed for the Hereford Farm Road widening. Staff said approving the listed payments would bring acquisitions to approximately 69% complete for the project corridor.

The board also separately approved $55,500 to Ronald and Monica Ostrander (Parcel 072A-18) for right-of-way and easements related to the same project. Commissioners described these as standard acquisitions necessary to proceed with the road project.

The motions carried by voice vote; staff indicated the project will continue as right-of-way acquisition proceeds and subsequent construction scheduling and budgeting will follow county procedures.","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a series of right-of-way and easement payments to multiple property owners to advance the Hereford Farm Road widening project, bringing the project to approximately 69% acquisition completion according to staff.",{"_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},6233003,"Public speakers urge Columbia County to reconsider library shelving guidelines; legal risks and community division cited",340,2625000,2965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425509-23d671c6f21a159dbef434b3848ab91f&start=2625&end=2965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425509-23d671c6f21a159dbef434b3848ab91f/thumbnail_2625000.jpg","/articles/6233003/Columbia-County/Georgia/Public-speakers-urge-Columbia-County-to-reconsider-library-shelving-guidelines-legal-risks-and-community-division-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233003-ad32e7c8b4910b4dc2738c53332c9d1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144076&Signature=COrY6t0E7UCDGE44iDUxPM3zB1902vst1S-dKaZ-2knDd6yC0HAx~XvOPAqFtYfp42k3LsV~Px5OZIfZSSgvL13QmAKkdqwqsCq-Q0eTOO0c4n4N49xQKDCVxWaCpvj0wTgJXAQi3ei-5p0TOEVz8X5~sWLcbdRAf0~d5RRtetE1gonuVyrwSSwscFuyVnHS5w0zbDFGy1ot6LjzTB2psQLdHmZiNQ3lBDM9Ag46GSEmAoPG3YE2EiMN8NwS4Ue4YLezSXAmqiiTGviTa3VFEU8Ka0RZeZ4y09APFvuw80IMz-X4FSB--n4xbTsh-UQPTyRfMPN0tvhPC~ftD0RD-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the public-comment period at the May 20 Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting to press the county on recently adopted library shelving guidelines and to urge the board to reconsider or seek legal clarity.

Priscilla Bence (listed on the sign-in as Priscilla Bentz) told the board she appreciated some changes already made but asked that the county move adult literature downstairs and children/teen literature upstairs at the county library to reduce conflict over placement. “That would just solve 80% of the problem,” she said, and asked the county to prioritize clearer separation of age-appropriate collections to ease the library’s challenge process.

Karen Parham said she had spoken with multiple attorneys and expressed concern the county’s shelving guidelines could be a content-based restriction raising First Amendment issues. Parham said she had collected legal memoranda and letters and urged the commissioners to obtain an updated legal opinion from the county attorney before proceeding further: “Why are we, nonlawyers, debating legal issues in the first place?” she asked. Parham also referenced state-level legislation in a related context and said regional library officials had sought their own counsel.

Robert Heidman spoke in favor of the county’s shelving guidelines, saying many parents object to young-child access to particular LGBTQ-themed materials and arguing the guidelines function as a “guardrail” to keep materials age appropriate. He cited national-library controversy and urged the board to protect children in Columbia County.

Speakers on both sides referenced the American Library Association and national debates about collection-development standards. Commissioners listened but did not take formal action at the meeting; the matter was raised as public comment and delegates asked the Board and library officials to consider legal and policy implications.

Clarifying details provided by commenters: Parham said attorneys had raised the possibility that content-based restrictions would trigger strict scrutiny under the First Amendment; Heidman pointed to recent state legislative actions in several states and to a claim that some state governments were reconsidering association memberships over perceived ideological positions. Speakers requested that the county or library board obtain or publish updated legal opinions and consider shelving arrangements to reduce challenges and litigation risk.

The board did not vote on library-shelving policy during the meeting; commissioners heard the comments during the public-comment period and no formal board direction or policy change was recorded on May 20.","Multiple residents spoke during public comment at the May 20 Columbia County commissioners meeting urging the county to reconsider new library shelving guidelines that move some young-adult and LGBTQ-themed materials; speakers cited legal risk, First Amendment issues, and community harm; commissioners did not take formal action at the meeting.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":46,"_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},6233008,"Commissioners adopt stormwater fee schedule revisions including certification and rain-barrel workshop fees",73,1324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425509-23d671c6f21a159dbef434b3848ab91f&start=1251&end=1324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425509-23d671c6f21a159dbef434b3848ab91f/thumbnail_1251000.jpg","/articles/6233008/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commissioners-adopt-stormwater-fee-schedule-revisions-including-certification-and-rain-barrel-workshop-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233008-44e2af34d5bc58f4f13694df98e769c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144076&Signature=E-fz9uqGngDxhd1YJ5hbnBWBVJwRdtBwnXkpRhVYmjRRjKcdhT53gzUmg3eF4UpNRTOT1EOrcQdyKH6aufS~Ibvx2UW9yHbCA2Lw1zDNVBAzTZZJ1pqaqh7MyaTPwuQR8Sy60tiNNPmwkC7eRD3zJqe5NymB~aqCNNr6dMut55TViO43wAjMBXDap-3CDLleulaGxxom0xcyLuwAuERwjO3zl6PyguJxq0~Lodne-GPuQ3YMX2-BoHlKclB85dFJdA0C0dgJDsMgLjMtm2mXkJNxY-mR9dQdRt0iTbwd91AhE7ClaTLPxqOw1YcPRmcm0g37awlUaKE6qiTIGv9ljw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on May 20 approved revisions to the stormwater compliance fee schedule to fund county-run certification classes, add penalties for unpermitted work and formalize a small fee for a rain-barrel workshop.

County stormwater staff told the board the revisions respond to state requirements that contractors hold certifications for land-disturbing activities (Georgia Soil and Water Conservation recertification levels referenced in the packet). The county will offer classes and charge a fee to cover materials and staff time for certification recertifications (noted as 1A/1B recertifications in the meeting). Staff noted private-sector training remains available as an alternative.

The schedule was also revised to include a double-fee penalty for contractors who begin land-disturbing work without the necessary permit, to cover the additional staff work required to bring the site into compliance. Finally, the county set a $55 fee for rain-barrel workshops; staff said the fee covers the cost of the rain barrel and supplies so attendees receive a functioning barrel to take home.

Commissioners voted to adopt the revised fee schedule; the motion carried by voice vote.","Columbia County adopted changes to its stormwater fee schedule to cover the county’s costs for state-required land-disturbance certification classes, added a double fee for starting work without a permit and set a $55 fee for a rain-barrel workshop that covers supplies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve zoning-code revisions on conceptual plans, buffers and tree spacing

Columbia County approves rezoning for White Oak Technology Park after residents raise noise, water and light concerns

Commissioners approve payments and easement acquisitions for Hereford Farm Road widening

Public speakers urge Columbia County to reconsider library shelving guidelines; legal risks and community division cited

Commissioners adopt stormwater fee schedule revisions including certification and rain-barrel workshop fees