Commission approves curb and sidewalk waivers for Circle K corner and Tradeport Business Center West

Liberty County commissioners voted Sept. 6 to grant two separate waiver requests allowing developers to defer curb, gutter and sidewalk construction at two sites in the county.

Why it matters: Sidewalk and curb standards shape long‑term pedestrian access and drainage patterns. Commissioners approved the waivers after the county engineer reviewed drainage constraints and transportation access and recommended conditional approval.

Circle K (Leroy Cofer & Oglethorpe): Marty (county planning staff) presented a waiver request for a proposed Circle K at the corner of Leroy Cofer and Oglethorpe Highway, located within the larger Salters Field property. The applicant argued that sidewalk installation on both sides would "lack the connectivity to adjacent uses" because adjoining streets to the north, south and west have no sidewalks and the site is dominated by vehicular traffic. The narrative also cited stormwater limitations and existing roadside ditches that drain to a nearby wetland, saying curb and gutter installation would "modify the whole drainage system already going on adjacent to both roadways."

Marty read an email from Trent Long, county engineer, who "recommended that they seek a waiver from the sidewalk requirement as well as the curb and gutter requirement." Commissioner discussion focused on future development along Salters Field and whether deferred infrastructure would be imposed when adjacent parcels developed. The petitioner, Sandy Owens (MDM Services), said wetlands on the site make near‑term development unlikely except for the 2.5‑acre Circle K parcel. After a motion referencing the county engineer's recommendation, the board approved the waiver and asked staff to verify fire service review and other final plan sign‑offs.

Tradeport Business Center West: Marty also presented a waiver request from the Tradeport Business Center West developer seeking to avoid constructing curb, gutter and sidewalks within the interior roads of the business park. The applicant cited absence of existing sidewalks within 1,000 feet, lack of pedestrian generators nearby, and proposed use of vegetated roadside swales as a low‑impact stormwater approach rather than curb and gutter. Commissioners asked how vegetated swales would be maintained; the petitioner said they would be maintained under a trade‑park maintenance arrangement. Following a motion that included consultation with the county engineer, commissioners approved the Tradeport waiver with standard conditions and a request that drainage be verified by county engineering staff.

Ending: Both waivers were approved with motions that referenced county engineering review; commissioners added conditions to confirm fire‑service and DOT reviews as required.