[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6544283,"mediaKeyId","3795163-91202708daa76aeebb1d427df57d73ab","parentId",3795163,"title","Votes at a glance: Walker County Commission meeting outcomes","audioSeconds",4396,"startMs",1755000,"endMs",6151000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3795163-91202708daa76aeebb1d427df57d73ab&start=1755&end=6151","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3795163-91202708daa76aeebb1d427df57d73ab/thumbnail_1755000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6544283/Walker-County/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-Walker-County-Commission-meeting-outcomes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544283-ed451ef8003bf19db140a04162b40366/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996103&Signature=EwpdpEBXtlYfx8xn4YX19t9U1zIk-O9xV3VCwJ-MNtj-Kb-MOR9Kf2haa0S92H~-m8dsRIz6TSYNwRFpYZLhc0Dj6E~QgB8aiPIJeKkI583r3U3yVK7ZA04OSvvIE8RL5aN5e8KPXxupTJruSUq5WhUp9XYl9b0z5b~Uctx3ApLsaNAq6UcK0uxj5obKJllRKAueDtQKm8wKTYX~bn5O8XNLpYXg9cEfCNasY4gKtafL76tKfIPRivLfJRIxBKoOx-ptO4iiR55SmECRdXLvt3ZhyZbm-IMROvBAZVwewDA55M-86-YdSgBpw1ZtxCWYK6Wz5lBriuthE1Bd~BNHwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Walker County","date","2025-06-12T09:40:12.39Z","article","The Walker County Board of Commissioners made the following formal decisions at the meeting. This list reflects motions and recorded outcomes noted in the public transcript.

Planning and zoning
- Approve rezone: 154 Chatham Valley Road (Garfield Dixon request) — planning commission recommended approval; board approved.
- Approve rezone: 705 Park City Road (Wanda Darlene Myers partial rezone R-2 to C-1) — approved with conditions (landscaping on residential side; entrance design to be approved by county engineer).
- Approve conditional-use variance: 609 Holly Drive (Jackson Abbasi, home dog-boarding) — approved with condition that permit is tied to current owner/operator and does not transfer automatically with sale.
- Approve two Development Authority parcels (Glass Road) rezoned from agriculture to industrial with a 200-foot vegetated buffer where the industrial property abuts privately owned parcels.

Appointments and grants (consent)
- Appoint Angie Teems as Chair to the Walker County Water and Sewage Authority (Resolution R-038-25) — approved.
- Reappoint K. Thurman to Lafayette Walker County Public Library Board (Resolution R-039-25) — approved.
- Appoint Randy Pittman to Rossville Public Library Board (Resolution R-040-25) — approved.
- Accept Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Court fiscal-year 2026 state operating grant — approved.

Budget, finance and administration
- Adopt fee schedule amendments for landfill and animal services (Resolution R-041-25) — approved; fee changes to take effect July 1; fee schedules available at county offices.
- Approve transfer/establish secondary banking relationship; staff to pursue Regions Bank as an additional financial partner — approved.
- Approve payroll services contract with Paycor (two-year agreement with two-year price lock; onboarding fees noted in staff presentation) — approved.
- Approve resolution to contribute $1,000,000 to the county pension plan plus continue annual normal contribution (approximately $840,000 per year) to reduce plan amortization period — approved.

Property, capital and procurement
- Forgive back taxes ($3,070.85) for a 0.2-acre tract donated to American Legion Post 339 in Lafayette (Resolution R-042-25) — approved.
- Approve amendment with Trust for Public Land to add culvert replacement to the Chickamauga Battlefield Connector Trail contract (county contribution ~ $159,000; project cost-sharing to produce net savings) — approved.
- Approve purchase orders for firefighter personal protective equipment (13 sets of turnout gear; 6 SCBA units and related bottles) — approved.
- Approve resolution to complete Hinkle Fire Station as a fire station (not a combined community center) and proceed with permitting and contracting for construction — approved.
- Designate 201 S. Duke Street (Courthouse Annex 4) as the regular meeting location for the Board of Commissioners effective July 10 — approved.

Notes on process and next steps
- Several items generated sustained public comment (Development Authority rezones, Hinkle Fire Station, pension funding). Commissioners asked staff and the county attorney to draft enforceable language for rezoning buffer conditions and to improve liaison/communication between the development authority and neighboring residents. The payroll contract and banking relationship will be implemented by administration; details of pricing and security were presented by staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Walker County Board of Commissioners Meeting - June 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions taken by the Walker County Board of Commissioners at the meeting, including rezones, appointments, grant acceptance, fee changes, contracts and procurement approvals.","taxTitle","Walker County, Georgia","taxId",28671,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6544288,"Commissioners approve industrial rezones for development authority parcels with 200-foot vegetative buffer after public opposition",208,1696000,1904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3795163-91202708daa76aeebb1d427df57d73ab&start=1696&end=1904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3795163-91202708daa76aeebb1d427df57d73ab/thumbnail_1696000.jpg","/articles/6544288/Walker-County/Georgia/Commissioners-approve-industrial-rezones-for-development-authority-parcels-with-200-foot-vegetative-buffer-after-public-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544288-61fcdcc6e228f1edfa57ac311ce7cbe8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996103&Signature=bYh~5eGIFeXAwV3WOKw7TY9~d8NFyoHuQZObq2HiWO6jdOj8m7DhfxIf7qLM1pr2Gkwqcc8z5~x5cPqIwWsRTPSUUey4hfSNM0VydDR94AoXDS6vs-AAgMbEiq9H~hpd6b1x8lX02Q8-EdUeK3tUEnJasQAXX9uEmHtlyCJk6SFsSogUX5x8aBAeJY9279age-766h8FHzTVGL1T1GtNbzKTuZ04YcbWRdhbtbEaCvgaDz-pnLf05NFgzttBKXn5qEHrt5bgeE57PF8dIcalqmt41c78oozV5MXjGnla8zX~72Zr8DDU3NXkPi0btB0zW~QBlkGJsZsyYbfl3sdveg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walker County commissioners voted to approve rezoning two adjoining parcels owned by the Walker County Development Authority from agriculture to industrial, adding a condition that any industrial buyer must provide a 200-foot vegetated buffer where the industrial property abuts privately owned parcels.

Chair Angie Teems said the rezones had been tabled at the May 1 meeting and returned as unfinished business. Commissioner Blake Moore moved to approve the rezones with the 200-foot vegetative buffer; the board moved the items off the table, voted to take them up, and then approved the rezones with the buffer condition.

The parcels are described in public materials as located on Glass Road near Lafayette (tax parcels referenced in planning materials). The planning commission had recommended denial of the rezones; commissioners amended the request with the buffer and voted to approve.

The decision prompted extended public comment. Stacy White, who lives on Lynn Trail off Glass Road, said she and neighbors chose their homes for the rural character and said the industrial conversion would damage views and quality of life. “We love that property because it’s beautiful and peaceful,” White said. “I’m very, very disappointed in this decision.”

David Boyle, chair of the Noble Community Association, asked who would pay for cleanup if industrial uses later cause contamination and urged the county to consider bonding or cleanup assurances from future users. Diane Criswell Hudson, who described herself as one of nearly 50 neighbors who share a fence line with authority-owned property, asked how the development authority and county will follow up with adjoining residents and requested an ongoing liaison process.

Stephanie Watkins, executive director of the Walker County Development Authority (and county economic development director), said the authority is a public corporation with a mandate to promote industry and that real-estate discussions often require confidentiality in early phases; she told the audience that when decisions are ready for public action they are taken publicly.

Several commissioners acknowledged the residents’ concerns and said the 200-foot vegetated buffer — about an acre of planted buffer measured from the county right-of-way — was intended to protect adjoining landowners. Commissioner Blake Moore and others said the agreement may restrict some marketing of the authority’s property but saw the buffer as a reasonable compromise.

The board also discussed improving liaison and communications between the development authority and neighboring residents so county officials can provide clearer notice and receive input earlier in the process.

The rezones now move to recording and permit steps subject to the vegetated-buffer condition; commissioners said staff and the county attorney would craft specific language for the condition and ensure it is included in sale or development agreements.","The board approved two adjoining rezones from agriculture to industrial for Walker County Development Authority parcels after removing the items from the table; the approval includes a 200-foot vegetative buffer on edges adjoining private property and prompted multiple residents to raise environmental, traffic and process concerns.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6544293,"Walker County animal services reports rising intakes; commissioners approve home kennel variance with owner condition",379,1175000,1554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3795163-91202708daa76aeebb1d427df57d73ab&start=1175&end=1554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3795163-91202708daa76aeebb1d427df57d73ab/thumbnail_1175000.jpg","/articles/6544293/Walker-County/Georgia/Walker-County-animal-services-reports-rising-intakes-commissioners-approve-home-kennel-variance-with-owner-condition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544293-92d877e029672da40d92624f44ab2403/orig.mp4?Expires=1770996103&Signature=SbEbl40j6bwzKsrFdlCjh9aLn1Ad~sAcNYDHy63-ZfC6KY24LihqUkzr5T1QJIX8GdU8UBkQVhrKa29adRH9ZE31hX7z~cjbSwc2tu~5fBRbLVqJbkjcC3fOvWrSh8PfEeKZUHEm9RlzYdeflkIVOhLuchbP1cUG9cxF5NESr2t5siFeUxrkKK593c8JXRq7lejLQrSDhbWFNhK57LB5k7E8nim2pxIjJKoD42ngdNrkG2AAFfLlzzyTy2oCbcBwld2bqU9s22L4MTQq6yRPlw9xUc1qvDKSdvYrOT20LlvBODNG5BkckQH~CKWw9U-vpcVRXPGNI5ZzrJ9lizlAKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bailey Clements, Walker County animal services director, told the Board of Commissioners the shelter has taken in 168 cats and 421 dogs since January and currently cares for about 143 animals.

Clements said the shelter issued 85 vouchers for spay/neuter and had about 400 names on a waiting list; 234 owner surrenders and 234 adoptions were recorded in the period she described. She also highlighted a new volunteer program, transport partnerships with northern rescue networks, a pet-food pantry and planned summer vaccine and microchip clinics.

The details matter to the community because the shelter’s intake, transport and voucher activity shape local animal-control workload and how much county support departments need. Clements told commissioners the shelter has rejoined Georgia Transport Allies to move animals to partners in northern states where demand is higher and said volunteers have been trained under a “fear-free” certification she described as standard for their program.

The board then considered a conditional-use variance for a home-based dog-boarding business at 609 Holly Drive. Jackson Abbasi, the applicant, said she operates a small boarding business from her 0.63-acre property, keeps a maximum of about six boarding dogs plus personal animals, uses interior and visual separation and follows containment and no-bark practices. “I take a very limited amount of dogs,” Abbasi said. She told the board she holds a Department of Agriculture license and has operated for two years without complaints.

Volunteer Lisa Duffy and Bailey Clements both spoke in support. Duffy, who identified herself as a volunteer at the county shelter, said the applicant “is doing what she’s doing to help animals that need help, especially elderly animals.” Clements said she inspected the property and did not find problems; she recommended approval.

Commissioners voted to approve the conditional-use variance with a condition discussed by the county’s building official: the permit is tied to the current owner/operator and does not automatically transfer with sale of the property. The board recorded the outcome as approved and directed planning and code staff to record the owner-specific condition in the permit file.

The animal-services presentation also noted upcoming changes in shelter hours (open 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturdays with planned expansion), a foster program for special-needs animals and ongoing outreach and training classes. Clements asked the public to report plumbing or other maintenance needs observed during volunteer work so the county can address them.

The board did not adopt new ordinances during the report; commissioners and staff discussed enforcement responsibilities if neighborhood complaints arise, noting animal services and code enforcement work together on violations.

The shelter’s voucher program, transport partnerships and volunteer expansion are ongoing; the conditional-use variance will be enforced by animal services and the county building/code office under the owner-linked condition.","Animal services director reported intake, adoption and voucher statistics and new programs; the county granted a conditional-use variance allowing a dog-boarding business at 609 Holly Drive with conditions tying the permit to the current owner.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Walker County Commission meeting outcomes

Commissioners approve industrial rezones for development authority parcels with 200-foot vegetative buffer after public opposition

Walker County animal services reports rising intakes; commissioners approve home kennel variance with owner condition