Rockdale County Planning Commission elects officers, receives orientation on duties

The Rockdale County Planning Commission elected John Peterson as chair and Marlicia Yancey as vice chair by unanimous voice votes during an organizational meeting that included a staff-led orientation on the commission's duties and procedures.

Lashawn Gardner, director of the Planning and Development Department, told commissioners that "planning is a unique management tool for local government that sets a vision for the future and is a guide to decision making for everyone in the community." Gardner and planning staff reviewed the commission's advisory role, meeting rules and legal requirements under the county Unified Development Ordinance and Georgia law.

The training said the planning commission serves in an advisory capacity on zoning amendments, future land-use map amendments, rezoning requests, special-use permits, conditional-use permits, text amendments, preliminary plats and recommendations to the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners. The presentation noted that the commission does not have authority to amend ordinances, rezone land, declare the Unified Development Ordinance invalid, or allow uses not permitted by the UDO.

Staff outlined membership terms and quorum rules. Three members initially appointed will serve three-year initial terms, after which reappointments are for four years; two members were assigned four-year initial terms. One appointment detail given in the meeting: Angelique McClendon was listed as appointed 04/08/2025 with a term expiring 07/01/2028. The commission must have a quorum of three members to conduct business, and an affirmative vote of three members is required for adoption of questions. Regular meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m., with special-called meetings requiring at least 24 hours' notice.

The orientation also covered officer selection and term limits: the commission elects a chairperson and vice chairperson in July each year; each officer's term is one year with eligibility for reelection. The chair presides over meetings, ensures decorum and may appoint committees; the vice chair assumes the chair's duties in the chair's absence. A designated planning-and-development staff member will serve as the commission's secretary to take minutes and record motions and votes.

Conflict-of-interest procedures were reviewed: commissioners must disclose in writing any property or financial interests affected by commission action; disclosures become public record, and any commissioner with such a conflict must not vote or participate in that matter. The presentation referenced procedural sections of the Unified Development Ordinance (sections cited in the orientation as 2-38-4 and 2-38-6) governing hearings and public comment procedures; applicants and opponents are allotted up to 10 minutes each to present during public hearings.

Organizational action: John Peterson was nominated and, after a voice vote in which every member present responded "aye," was declared chair; the meeting record shows the vote as unanimous. Marlicia Yancey was nominated and similarly affirmed by unanimous voice vote as vice chair. The meeting record shows five commission members present for roll call and for both officer votes; the chair and vice chair elections were recorded as unanimous.

Commissioners and staff discussed expectations for decorum and for communicating as a unified body when hearing applicants and public attendees. Staff and commissioners agreed to exchange contact information; planning staff committed to collecting and distributing an interoffice/contact list and to being available by phone or email for follow-up questions.

The new commission concluded the orientation after staff invited members to contact planning staff with questions and after arranging to circulate contact information.