Planning Commission recommends approval of rezoning for Lewiston Road parcels amid heavy resident opposition

The Columbia County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of rezoning application RZ25-0301 for two parcels near Lewiston Road, a move that would allow development of a restaurant and a bank with a drive-through. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for final action on 03/18/2025.

Staff planner Dylan (planning staff) told the commission the request would combine a commercially zoned front parcel with an adjacent parcel behind it to produce a code-compliant development. Dylan said the concept plan shows a single shared driveway for the businesses and a 30-foot buffer along the residential interface, with conditions carried over from a 2016 commercial rezoning that limit hours of operation and require a photometric plan to limit light spill.

The proposal drew extensive public comment from nearby residents who said the development would increase traffic, runoff and noise. Doug Thornton (Resident, 5123 Autumn Trail) questioned whether the site was appropriate for commercial reuse and said runoff from existing development already "flows in front of my property" and brings "consistent garbage that flows, down the drainage ditch." Tom Petrack (Resident, 378 Leach Court) asked whether Traffic Engineering had completed a traffic study and requested access to the department's analysis. Several residents, including Lindsay Conley (Resident, 5129 Autumn Trail) and Julie Thornton (Resident, Autumn Trail), said existing commercial development such as Popeye's has produced noise, litter and light intrusion that already affects neighborhood quality.

Dylan responded that Traffic Engineering reviews rezoning applications and that the concept plan includes a single access from Autumn Trail plus an existing right‑turn only access from Lewiston Road; he said Traffic Engineering included a condition that the Autumn Trail driveway be realigned to match an existing driveway across the street to improve circulation. Dylan offered to provide residents with contact information and follow up materials from Traffic Engineering.

Jonathan Aceves (Broker, Maybaum Commercial), representing the property owner and developer Matt Demyres, said the developer would construct a restaurant and a Pinnacle Bank at the site. Commission members asked clarifying questions about buffers, access and conditions carried from the 2016 zoning.

Commissioner motioned to recommend approval of RZ25-0301 (rezoning from R‑1 to C2/NC2 as described in the motion). The motion was seconded and "motion carries" was announced; the vote was recorded as a recommendation and will be considered by the Board of Commissioners on 03/18/2025.

The public record at the Planning Commission level includes staff conditions requiring architectural cohesion with nearby commercial properties, a photometric plan, a single shared driveway aligned per Traffic Engineering, a 30‑foot buffer with landscaping and opaque fencing abutting residential zoning, and limits on deliveries and trash pickups tied to hours specified in the earlier zoning conditions. How Traffic Engineering's capacity analysis will factor into the Board of Commissioners' decision remains to be seen.

Residents asked the commission to delay forwarding the recommendation until Traffic Engineering staff present their analysis in full; Dylan said residents could request the traffic materials before the Board hearing and that Traffic Engineering staff would attend the commissioners' meeting if questions remain.

Votes and formal action: the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of RZ25-0301; the recommendation will go to the Board of Commissioners for final action on 03/18/2025.

Ending: The recommended approval moves the rezoning to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for a March 18, 2025 hearing, where commissioners may request additional traffic or environmental information prior to final action.