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Grovetown residents urge county planning for town center; board appoints planner, accepts developer letter of credit
Summary
Residents and commissioners discussed Grovetown growth and planning April 15; residents urged a mixed-use town center, staff said GDOT is designing a roundabout for Wrightsboro Road, and the board appointed Jamie Lester to the county Planning Commission and accepted a developer’s letter of credit for a new subdivision.
Residents urged Columbia County leaders April 15 to plan and build a mixed-use town center near Grovetown to provide shopping, dining and community space as the area grows.
Mike Mills, a Grovetown resident, told the board the surrounding area already includes several thousand homes and lacks a central shopping area or pedestrian-friendly gathering places. He urged commissioners to assemble a multidisciplinary team — planners, architects and economic consultants — to design a town center, and to consider tools such as tax-increment financing and right-of-way concessions.
Marlena Bergeron, speaking for herself, urged the county to protect and support the Grovetown library as a community hub and warned against removing or stigmatizing library materials; she criticized recent public debate over placement of specific books and said librarians had advised her that one contested title had been shelved in an adult/graphic section and rated for older readers.
County staff and officials responded to residents’ questions about safety and planning for the Wrightsboro Road corridor. Staff said the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is designing a roundabout at the Wrightsboro Road–Baker Place intersection and that funds have been allocated for design and construction. Staff also said the county is updating its comprehensive plan (staff referred to the long-range vision plan) and invited residents to participate in upcoming public meetings.
On procedural items, the board appointed Jamie Lester to the Planning Commission to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of James Vanmeter (term expires Dec. 30, 2025). The board also accepted a draft letter of credit for Coyote Creek Country Club’s infrastructure improvements — staff said the roads are private and the letter of credit is required by county code before final plat approval; final signature will occur once staff receives the official letter.
Votes on the appointment and the letter-of-credit acceptance were taken by raised hand and the motions carried.
Ending: Staff invited residents to follow the comprehensive-plan update and to attend public meetings; the board closed the meeting after approving remaining agenda items and adjourned.
