[{"_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",6169338,"mediaKeyId","5404556-42bf8315fd4f9066558148262deffab3","parentId",5404556,"title","Board approves site plan for Effingham Bronze Solar Farm with decommissioning plan and buffer protections","audioSeconds",118,"startMs",3081000,"endMs",3199000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404556-42bf8315fd4f9066558148262deffab3&start=3081&end=3199","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404556-42bf8315fd4f9066558148262deffab3/thumbnail_3081000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6169338/Haralson-County/Georgia/Board-approves-site-plan-for-Effingham-Bronze-Solar-Farm-with-decommissioning-plan-and-buffer-protections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169338-2de7d219bc8b5f82e945fed40b1b18fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775395189&Signature=OUaBA4Ap1Jk06Nre7E21gWEU~ny4YEtveXm6HWbPs5a6rv5p86GeJQ-c~Y5vmqpTDio76bKtJfzJg82ZZU9PvEL73WWlhcRLDxpJ4eJluZdfDGhGlbGSOKpxm6Vrn9uLX85-3tisGbJiTpQYwo7xFE14wegAnVhLdfvgPnmUk5K6RjKAj1X-fQyTTz-8neKyQR3SuQrLpzybwiV3JStRz3BgmOrRyWzvDcOp6gJtTJvq-qw6Xrs0YcwRRvsMtQctHhnrmvp045uOlu2UpzCq2zT7SNjyrK8qzdQ6Uhd6y7zw2zgYd3~xTLe6rO7FXYVNm8QHEg615HoutDPY0QCkPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-16T10:20:00Z","article","The Board approved the site plan for Effingham Bronze Solar Farm after staff confirmed required setbacks, buffers and a decommissioning plan were in the application.

Kimberly Bartlett, community planner, said the board had approved a conditional use for a solar farm on the parcel earlier in February; the site plan covers approximately 63 acres of solar modules on an 87‑acre parcel located on Little McCall Road. Bartlett said the applicant plans two development phases constructed and operated concurrently, with a planned installation completion date of March 2026 and expected decommissioning in March 2056 (a 30‑year lease). The proposal includes a 75‑foot property setback, and the staff report said 55 feet of the frontage will remain uncleared as a natural buffer along Little McCall Road; a fenced array will surround the solar panels.

Bartlett said the applicant will obtain a Nationwide Permit 51 for land‑based renewable energy facilities and that staff recommends approval with the stipulation that the applicant adhere to current Georgia law for solar facility agreements. Board members clarified buffer widths for adjacent properties in AR‑1 zoning (15 feet undisturbed where applicable) and Bartlett confirmed that required buffers remain undisturbed where tree cover exists.

A motion to approve the site plan carried with no recorded opposition.

Ending: The approval included the decommissioning plan and buffer/standoff conditions; staff will require final compliance with state law and the county’s setback and buffer requirements prior to construction permits being issued.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Effingham County Board of Commissioners Work Session and Meeting July 15th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a site plan for a 63‑acre solar array on Little McCall Road with setback, buffer and decommissioning conditions.","taxTitle","Haralson County, Georgia","taxId",28534,"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},6169344,"Board approves Willow Furnace Estates preliminary plat; developer to meet lot and amenity conditions",1709,3247000,4956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404556-42bf8315fd4f9066558148262deffab3&start=3247&end=4956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404556-42bf8315fd4f9066558148262deffab3/thumbnail_3247000.jpg","/articles/6169344/Haralson-County/Georgia/Board-approves-Willow-Furnace-Estates-preliminary-plat-developer-to-meet-lot-and-amenity-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169344-5163629d8a201a6b79b6963d26a907c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775395189&Signature=LhB~jaoOR0laE6JeiaK~qLnNqvEHhM9PdyB1nN1-bc1s~5JbpX-4Yk8o5T0T012RzTh9h1k~C-79r-DyXchBjBdj2rc~V3NlKNXOd9RyXIVFbyDZHlRVMp7yptaNslUSQlvSOr8AQ6U3l7iEpBbwabfFGxppSoep4G1po6t1H4SqAgqoLa13OeSsfeArTKr0SJ60Sz-R25Tsygs2I4eeydUVatEbsqciToI5To47cBLFzqB855T6DK4whBf7uuEWtMJeRsYHkcRFmYFkumN5WBJ9R14-szPn93ANcXhm2zKW0G9Xr3~SGfqVggnzZhigs-wE16QH4lj2QpDRByExRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Commissioners approved the preliminary plat for Willow Furnace Estates, a proposed 203‑lot single‑family subdivision on Bluejay Road, after staff confirmed the project meets R‑5 requirements and exceeds the district’s open‑space threshold.

Chelsea Furnall, planning manager, told the board the parcel had been rezoned at the February 18 meeting and that the developer proposes 203 single‑family detached units serviced by county water and sewer. Furnall said the development would provide 29.23% open space (above the R‑5 threshold presented in staff materials), two parking spaces per unit and additional amenity areas; GIS has approved the subdivision name Willow Furnace Estates. Furnall reviewed the developer’s minimum heated area commitments: 2,400 square feet for certain 75‑foot lots adjacent to Emerald Plantation, 2,000 square feet for the remaining 75‑foot lots, and 1,600 square feet for 55‑foot lots. She said staff recommended approval with stipulations including fence types adjacent to neighbors and that amenities must begin after 50% of certificates of occupancy are issued.

John Giordano of Thomas & Hutton, representing the applicant, addressed neighbors’ concerns about clearing and buffer disturbance. He said geotechnical field work used an existing haul road and that code enforcement had inspected; the team will avoid additional clearing in buffer areas and will not use haul roads once permanent construction access is established.

A motion to approve the preliminary plat carried with no recorded opposition.

Ending: The approval included staff conditions on lot sizes, fencing and timing of amenity construction; staff and the applicant said they will mark buffer lines and avoid further disturbance before formal construction access is in place.","The commissioners approved a 203‑lot preliminary plat for Willow Furnace Estates with conditions on lot sizes, fencing and amenity timing.",{"_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},6169349,"County planners propose R‑1/R‑5 zoning rewrite, add open‑space minimums and design standards",2732,1061000,3793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404556-42bf8315fd4f9066558148262deffab3&start=1061&end=3793","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404556-42bf8315fd4f9066558148262deffab3/thumbnail_1061000.jpg","/articles/6169349/Haralson-County/Georgia/County-planners-propose-R1R5-zoning-rewrite-add-openspace-minimums-and-design-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169349-f96c546ae39645f2fbb9b8731c2869c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775395189&Signature=bw4gEahFYBroFPHi2c0a7CFJN5y-vpj6TX3XQWkua5NzQzwoNo6ifN0R98uS8tHZ1uf6lHURiascisCj4sRalE8AWsUwDDRAP78M2SwOcGeLjlLoFNoE2EpiSH~FJoGNzVU4YN-5JrV9q7kPLZbE19pQBcKVCAeCQUYDXmO2rqXWHcy4yWEWdLkdjRkwXwZ36NMP4jeEJ0bvww~znMdlJOvOSlXhWNeEqQ4Z18VNg0a5skKRqDJBgEBgYEeEmZOOHx9Yn0MaJxc41t6Vpl4Raw3D0N4LWuz6K0WcbY6lY-dr4u2InP3T8fXsxOND3IL1aluJMSWB-FjKzkHAY35b3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff presented a draft rewrite of the county's low‑density (R‑1) and higher‑density (R‑5) residential zoning rules at a July 15 work session, proposing new development standards intended to preserve neighborhood character and require usable open space in future subdivisions.

Chelsea Furnall, planning manager, told the board the R‑1 district remains intended to “preserve and protect the character of that low density residential neighborhood” and that the minimum lot area would stay at 12,000 square feet where public or community water and sewer are provided. She said the draft limits principal residences to one per lot and allows one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per principal residence; the ADU would be restricted to 75% of the principal dwelling’s square footage.

The steering committee that reviewed drafts recommended adding development standards not currently in R‑1, Furnall said. Those include a 10% open‑space requirement for R‑1 and a 25% open‑space requirement for denser districts such as R‑2, R‑3 and R‑5. Furnall also described sidewalk triggers — sidewalks would be required when a developer provides public water and sewer and builds denser subdivisions — and an allowance for “design entrance features” that permit minimal clearing in required buffers when staff determines the feature contributes to overall aesthetic cohesion.

Commissioners and staff spent substantial time discussing tree preservation, enforcement of buffers and inspection timing. Commissioners asked how to prevent wholesale clearing of trees before subdivision controls apply; Furnall and colleagues noted the subdivision rules apply when property is platted, which can occur after preliminary clearing, and said staff intends to return with a separate draft tree ordinance that would include a combination of requirements and incentives (for example, credits for preserving large trees or canopy), arborist involvement and a tree survey requirement before clearing. Furnall said the steering committee recommended that open‑space credits be weighted to encourage hardscape amenities (playgrounds, courts, pools) and that ponds should be limited to meeting no more than 25% of an open‑space requirement unless they provide continuous public shoreline or trails.

On buffer widths, Furnall said the draft treats the higher use across a right‑of‑way as controlling and establishes 30 feet as a baseline, with a recommendation to extend certain frontages to 50 feet where appropriate. Commissioners pressed for clearer site inspection timing; staff described adding an early erosion‑control and buffer delineation inspection to ensure silt fences, construction fencing or other true delineation is in place before clearing.

Furnall said the planning staff will bring a longer, dedicated session to the board to work through the proposed zoning changes in depth; commissioners discussed possible dates in August to hold an extended workshop.

The presentation was informational; no formal zoning ordinance amendments were adopted at the July 15 meeting.

Ending: Staff will return with refined drafts (including a separate tree ordinance and an open‑space policy with calculated credits for amenities and trails) and schedule an extended, day‑long workshop before the next round of ordinance readings.","Planning staff presented proposed changes to R‑1 and R‑5 residential districts, including a new 10% open‑space minimum for R‑1, a 25% requirement for higher‑density districts, accessory‑dwelling limits and sidewalk/entrance‑feature guidance; commissioners and staff discussed tree preservation, buffers and a separate tree ordinance.",{"_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},6169329,"Commissioners approve purchase of two new fire engines; lead time 32–36 months",61,3524000,3585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404556-42bf8315fd4f9066558148262deffab3&start=3524&end=3585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404556-42bf8315fd4f9066558148262deffab3/thumbnail_3524000.jpg","/articles/6169329/Haralson-County/Georgia/Commissioners-approve-purchase-of-two-new-fire-engines-lead-time-3236-months","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169329-14e9cdf9ccee99ad0818b3024de8d09a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775395189&Signature=m1fPaJ6RfC92fGT~KlT4VxoIwhHUtYWlstBFTE88p7rau3qtuChQ~ACPx6RRFfzkdozzoFN6h7jtyUTiaTC5iIqQvivaXww1w5-RaPKUjBkf9oXq9hdjdcUBD02KXZLKc--sdNVY7sBRrIm1f9LMD3DBR3Vmrt06rkOyG2JcljYpixO57C0Egb8T~BU6KDOeDLMfAPWeHh~qEvCrtF941IxfcK~ghwIAohwib6fSMBo8WgSpIcKbRqhwHcPh1RaorgrWAkZSb-uoLDNkFoQuV06QpHNYn1kdX24OBVULreTSQ3COIUHhX4TJurMjb52kpBHhzw20Gnj7N3E-7YZafg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board approved a purchase agreement with 108 Fire and Safety for two new fire engines to maintain the county’s fleet rotation and replace apparatus from the late 1990s.

Clint (fire official) reported the county operates 17 first‑out stations and has pursued a replacement strategy of one to two engines per year to avoid large, lump‑sum expenditures. He said the engines being replaced date to about 1996 and 1998 and that lead time for new apparatus is approximately 32 to 36 months. Board members asked about resale of retired units; staff said the county will consider standard auction or a broker to maximize resale value.

A motion to purchase the two fire engines carried unanimously.

Ending: New engine orders will proceed; staff will manage resale of retired units and monitor delivery timing over the next 2–3 years.","The county approved a purchase agreement for two fire engines to replace 1990s apparatus; staff said lead time is 32–36 months and older units will be auctioned or brokered for resale.",{"_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},6169334,"Warranty‑deed acceptance for Palm Ridge Phase 1 tabled after commissioner recusal",81,3456000,3537000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404556-42bf8315fd4f9066558148262deffab3&start=3456&end=3537","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404556-42bf8315fd4f9066558148262deffab3/thumbnail_3456000.jpg","/articles/6169334/Haralson-County/Georgia/Warrantydeed-acceptance-for-Palm-Ridge-Phase-1-tabled-after-commissioner-recusal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169334-a548b3ec5742d867e794f2c4d27a5726/orig.mp4?Expires=1775395189&Signature=Ua0nmb9x~9YPd6U-rQSER9Afqm6PAiRW1JwGa5yDIzRNyIsThE2k629U6ACKQ5sEIY3bhmpsGL47452jnM-ReD44SU5ADrry0lqO75fUhLyA7TP57HvV1p9cOgZMzUPCQD2C3XIwz-sU7~a3o8xR2vgEQ6nSmpAIV-0VRhOkU1LYALeItRl25zs1kvvASDFMoJ4On6V7vQaThUKTLRqZp2E7kFmDsI-wQH00SsMo2nPJe6bAsrKCuz53EDKGfIt9KTJEu8abWLCqjjW6nSsE0BhCwMaekchLXT9uQwJZFqF9al62DLYamYfdBXUlo9ev0m03~8zrgOgmFQ5OjcMH7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board postponed action on a newly added agenda item — acceptance of certain infrastructure via warranty deed for Palm Ridge Phase 1 — after a commissioner disclosed a potential conflict and recused themself.

During the regular meeting the clerk added a late agenda item (new business #7) for acceptance of infrastructure in Palm Ridge Phase 1. One commissioner then announced EMC had performed work on that project and recused themself from any vote; the board determined there was not a quorum of eligible voters for that item and moved to postpone it. The item was rescheduled to the August 5 board meeting by motion and vote.

Ending: The item was postponed so that absent or recused members can participate; staff did not take action on the deed at the July 15 meeting.","A late agenda addition to accept infrastructure via warranty deed for Palm Ridge Phase 1 was postponed to the August 5 meeting after a commissioner disclosed a potential conflict (EMC worked on the project) and recused themself; county attorney and clerk confirmed postponement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves site plan for Effingham Bronze Solar Farm with decommissioning plan and buffer protections

Board approves Willow Furnace Estates preliminary plat; developer to meet lot and amenity conditions

County planners propose R‑1/R‑5 zoning rewrite, add open‑space minimums and design standards

Commissioners approve purchase of two new fire engines; lead time 32–36 months

Warranty‑deed acceptance for Palm Ridge Phase 1 tabled after commissioner recusal