Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning Commission Organization And Training topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rockdale County Planning Commission elects chair, vice chair and reviews duties
Summary
At an organizational meeting, the newly seated Rockdale County Planning Commission unanimously elected John Peterson chair and Marlicia Yancey vice chair, reviewed the commission’s duties under the county’s Unified Development Ordinance and received procedural training from planning staff.
John Peterson was elected chair of the Rockdale County Planning Commission and Marlicia Yancey was elected vice chair in unanimous votes during the commission’s organizational meeting on April 8, 2025. The commission then received a staff-led training on its duties under the Rockdale County Unified Development Ordinance and applicable Georgia law.
The training, led by Lashawn Gardner, director of the planning and development department, outlined the commission’s advisory role on zoning, rezoning, special-use and conditional-use permits, preliminary plats and comprehensive-plan amendments. "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 told commissioners.
The session covered membership terms and procedural rules. Commissioners were told three members constitute a quorum and that an affirmative vote of three members is required to adopt a question. Initial appointments were described as three members serving an initial three-year term (then four years if reappointed) and two members serving four-year terms; the presentation cited appointment dates and expiration dates for individual members. The commission reviewed rules on resignations, which must be submitted in writing; a member who accumulates three unexcused absences is deemed to have resigned; and vacancies are filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the initial appointment.
Staff went over hearing procedures and referenced specific sections of the Unified Development Ordinance that govern hearings on text and map amendments and special-use permits. The presentation also reiterated that the planning commission serves in an advisory capacity and does not have authority to amend ordinances, rezone land, or declare the Unified Development Ordinance invalid.
Commissioners reviewed the responsibilities of officers and staff: the chair presides over meetings, calls special meetings and ensures decorum; the vice chair serves in the chair’s absence; and a designated planning-and-development staff member serves as secretary to record minutes, motions and votes in accordance with Georgia law. The training also covered conflicts of interest, requiring a commissioner to disclose in writing any property or financial interest affected by a matter and to refrain from participating or voting on that matter.
During discussion, a commissioner emphasized the importance of presenting a unified and respectful front at public meetings to maintain public confidence. "I think it's very important, if we show we're unified in front of the people that come in," the commissioner said, urging decorum and clear communication among members.
The meeting closed with staff agreeing to circulate contact information and to provide ongoing support to commissioners. The newly elected chair will preside at future meetings; officers will be re-elected each July as required by commission rules.
