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Commission approves rezoning for Thomas Concrete site with engineering conditions and 20‑foot buffer
Summary
The board rezoned about 3.6 acres on Leroy Cofer Highway to allow a Thomas Concrete ready‑mix plant, subject to GDOT access requirements, a 20‑foot vegetative buffer along Leroy Cofer and environmental/engineering conditions; supporters cited job creation while at least one adjacent landowner objected to potential impacts.
The Liberty County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning request Sept. 6 that allows Thomas Concrete to establish a ready‑mix concrete plant on a roughly 3.61‑acre corner of a larger parcel on Leroy Cofer Highway, with conditions from county engineers and a required 20‑foot vegetative buffer.
Why it matters: The plant is intended to serve construction demand in Liberty County and surrounding areas and was presented as creating approximately eight local jobs; opponents warned of compatibility and potential "domino effect" rezoning along the corridor.
Marty presented the petition and noted the project qualified as a development of regional impact (DRI), prompting agency reviews. County engineer comments—read into the record—said GDOT will require a deceleration lane, and potentially a full left‑turn lane and escrow/bonding for right‑of‑way work; a hydro study may be required. Marty said the planning commission recommended approval with conditions, including a 20‑foot buffer along Leroy Cofer and the west property boundary.
Joseph Bernard, a Thomas Concrete representative, described the company's mitigation plans for stormwater and dust control. "We take the environmental side of our business...we take that very serious," Bernard said, adding the plant would prioritize water recycling through an engineered retention pond and dust collectors at load points.
At public comment, Andrew Johnson spoke for neighbor John Zinn and urged denial or stronger buffering, calling the site "in the middle" of a corridor currently characterized by trees and single‑family properties and warning the rezoning could spur further industrial land uses. Pulte Homes representative Eric Metz and others supported the rezoning for its construction support and enforcement of environmental controls.
Commissioners moved to adopt the Planning Commission recommendation and included the conditions recommended by the county engineer and the 20‑foot buffer; commissioners additionally asked the applicant to leave as much existing vegetative screening as possible at the frontages. The board voted in favor.
Ending: Rezoning was approved with conditions and follow‑up requirements: GDOT approval of access and lanes, final engineering and drainage designs, third‑party environmental oversight, and a vegetative buffer; staff will track permit submittals and engineering attachments before construction.
