Commission approves multiple planning actions; Ham Jam permit, pool variances, vehicle‑coating conditional use among items passed

The Effingham County Board of Commissioners approved multiple planning, consent and land‑use items during its March 4 meeting. Key items recorded in the minutes and vote calls included:

- An assemblage permit for the Effingham County Shrine Club’s second annual “Ham Jam” concert on April 26, 2025 at 1258 Corinth Church Road. The applicant (Glenn Edwards, vice president of the Shrine Club) confirmed on‑site parking, about 20 RV spots and two deputies for security; staff recommended approval with the condition that all parking remain on the property. The board approved the permit by motion and second with no recorded opposition.

- Variance requests for a swimming pool at 149 Laurel Lane (map 347C parcel 49): Liz Sapp, land‑use planning analyst, presented that the code requires pools be 10 feet from dwellings and property lines; the applicant requested a reduction to a 6‑foot setback to avoid a custom narrow pool. Commissioners expressed willingness to revisit the ordinance. The board approved the variance and later approved the second reading.

- A conditional‑use approval and associated variances for Steven (Stephen) Amerson to operate a vehicle‑coating business (liquid liners/custom coatings) at 353 Webb Road. The applicant told the board he would limit service to one vehicle per day, use passive filtration rather than a spray booth, operate daylight hours and handle residues inside the building. Staff recommended conditions including limiting vehicles to one per day, operations to daylight hours and containment of residues; the board approved the conditional use and the acreage variance allowing rural‑business operation on a 1.38‑acre parcel (code requires 3 acres).

- Multiple rezonings and second readings passed by the board on second reading where noted in the packet: rezoning petitions for parcels on Bluejay Road (Booth Learn Management/Scott Rosenstock for Charles Ale — +/-100.34 acres to R‑5), 550 Brockton Road (Charlita Ablakwa +/-6.20 acres to AR‑2), 116 Oak Street (Peterson Duperville +/-5 acres to AR‑2) and others listed on the agenda. For each second reading the board called the vote and recorded “motion carries.”

- Resolutions: the board approved a condemnation authorization (Resolution 025‑007) to acquire 0.005 acres and related temporary easements for construction of a roundabout at Calaketley and Hodgeville; and approved continuing the mutual‑aid agreement with the ASPCA with corrected renewal dates (to April 4, 2027).

- A planning staff item: the board voted to authorize the county to request a memorandum of agreement from the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) so the county could review erosion control and land‑disturbing plans in‑house to expedite permitting; staff said this will accelerate review timelines while maintaining technical review standards.

Board actions were moved, seconded and carried for the items above; where staff advised conditions the board accepted the staff recommendations. Several routine items were also approved on consent (meeting minutes, agreements and second readings).