Planning commission recommends rezoning for Grace Baptist mission center amid neighborhood opposition

The Columbia County Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning request June (recorded at the meeting) to change 418 Old Evans Road from R-3 (residential) to S-1 (special) so Grace Baptist Church can operate a food pantry, clothing closet and small-group meeting space at the site.

The rezoning matter drew extended public comment. County planner Dylan said the applicants had already done unpermitted site work, including placement of fill and construction of a nine-space parking lot, and that the rezoning is the first step to bring the site into compliance. “This is the first step on that path to bring [the] site into full compliance,” Dylan said.

Greg Mason, local missions pastor representing Grace Baptist, told the commission the ministry has operated for about 2 1/2 years at a rented strip‑mall location and is moving to reduce rent costs and be closer to clients. “We do operate a food pantry [and] clothing closet. We are open three days a week: Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” Mason said. He said interior rooms would be used for storage and that no one will stay overnight: “It’s not a halfway house. Nobody’s gonna be staying there.”

Neighbors said they were not told about the change and said they feared increased traffic and safety risks for children. Jeff Lamb, a nearby resident, said the driveway and circulation point to Briarwood Drive and expressed concern about people unfamiliar with the neighborhood: “This is a family subdivision. The minute it gets converted into a commercial, it’s a whole different ballgame,” Lamb said. Janet Torres and Valerie Lamb also raised concerns about traffic, property values and impacts to elderly neighbors.

County staff said the proposed plan includes privacy fencing and a 10‑foot landscape strip where required and that the driveway will continue to connect to Old Evans Road rather than use Briarwood Drive. Staff recommended approval to allow the applicant to regularize the site and comply with permitting and stormwater requirements.

A commissioner moved to recommend approval; the motion passed and was forwarded to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for final action. The transcript records the commission’s recommendation but does not provide a clear roll‑call vote tally in the record provided.

The county and applicant said additional engineering, permitting and inspections remain before the site can operate fully under the S-1 allowances. Staff told the commission the rezoning is intended to allow the mission to bring the parking and stormwater into compliance and to formalize the permitted social‑service use.

The commission’s recommendation will be considered at the Board of Commissioners’ public meeting; members of the public were told they may speak at that hearing and that any public hearing allows time per side for presentation of evidence.