Despite strong neighborhood opposition, Planning Commission recommends approval for Ridge Road boat and RV storage rezoning

The Columbia County Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning that would change roughly 10.62 acres near Ridge Road from split C-2/R-4 to S-1 (special) to allow a proposed boat and RV storage facility. The decision came despite staff recommendation of disapproval and substantial neighborhood opposition.

Will (planning staff) summarized the application and said staff recommended disapproval. Staff noted the parcel sits on the edge of the Lake Neighborhood area on the county's future land-use map, and staff's view was that boat and RV storage has generally located closer to the lake and in community crossroads rather than inside Lake Neighborhood parcels; staff recommended disapproval for consistency with the existing development pattern.

Applicant representative Jacob Glover (Meister and Marbin LLC) and owner Mary Godwin argued the parcel aligns with existing development patterns at the periphery, proposed a Class A facility with covered and enclosed storage (about 70,000 square feet of covered storage), and said they had conducted community outreach. Glover said the development would generate "less than 100" vehicle trips per day and proposed mitigation including downward-directed LED lighting, motion sensors, landscaping buffers, a coded gated access system, and 24/7 cameras. He also said the project would be a Class A development intended to raise aesthetics.

Multiple neighborhood residents urged disapproval on safety grounds. John Bridal, who said his property borders the proposal, told the commission the primary neighborhood concern was safety and that the Ridge Road/Washington Road intersection and the hill approaching it create a blind spot that makes large trailers and campers difficult to pull onto Washington Road. Julie Harrison and other residents described a petition opposing the rezoning (the speakers said the petition had 170 signatures at one point and later reported 207), described Ridge Road as narrow and winding, and warned of traffic-safety risks.

After extended public comment the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of rezoning file RZ25-53 (rezoning a portion off Ridge Road to S-1). The vote was recorded as a voice vote and the motion carried. The item will be forwarded to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for final action.