Pickens County commissioners approve airport capital plan, stop sign and two rezones; OK surplus gear and holiday calendar
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Summary
At its Oct. 20 meeting the Pickens County Commission approved an airport five‑year capital improvement plan, authorized paving of an apron for a tenant, approved a 4‑way stop at a rural intersection, declared surplus fire rescue equipment for donation, and approved two property rezones with conditions. Officials also reviewed quarterly finance and
PICKENS COUNTY, Ga. — The Pickens County Commission on Oct. 20 approved a five‑year airport capital improvement plan and several other measures including paving an apron for a tenant at the county airport, installing a new 4‑way stop at a rural intersection, and transferring surplus firefighting equipment to a volunteer department.
The actions, taken at the county commission’s regular meeting, also included approval of two rezoning requests (one with a condition that a one‑acre parcel be added to an existing lot and an additional access restriction), adoption of the 2026 holiday calendar, and the formal surplus of older rescue tools. County staff presented a quarterly finance report and the 9‑1‑1 office presented its third‑quarter activity highlights.
The airport items were central to the meeting. Commissioners approved a recommendation from staff for a Black Sport Aviators tenant to pave an apron at the county airport and also voted to adopt the airport’s five‑year capital improvement plan, which the county must file with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to remain eligible for state and federal funding. The plan lists a 2027 terminal reimbursement of $432,000 (entitlement plus AIP/AIG funds), $150,000 allocations in 2028–2031 for certain projects, land acquisition/obstruction removal in 2028, a taxiway overlay in 2030 with a roughly $1.3 million AIP federal estimate, and a runway overlay in 2031. The five‑year package shows about $750,000 in federal entitlement funds, $5,892,000 in AIP/AIG federal funds, $1,061,666 in state share and $571,668 in local share across the five years, for a total of $8,275,334 noted in staff materials.
County staff said GDOT officials had reviewed the packet and engineers revised several items to reduce the program total from about $10 million to the figure presented. The commission authorized the chair to sign any necessary documents so the county can proceed with GDOT and federal grant steps.
Commissioners also discussed a separate, ongoing set of airport lease matters that involve the Federal Aviation Administration; staff reported the FAA had been given until November to provide additional responses needed before the county completes action on those leases.
Other formal actions taken by the commission included:
- Declaring older hydraulic/technical rescue tools surplus and approving donation of that equipment to the volunteer fire department in Lyrely, Georgia.
- Approving a staff recommendation to install a 4‑way stop at the intersection of Lower Dotta (Lower Doudna Mill Road in packet materials) and Fairview Road after an engineering and speed study. Staff told the board the posted speed limits there are 35 mph on Lower Dotta and 25 mph on Fairview; speed testing showed some vehicles traveling on Lower Dotta at speeds above 60 mph. The board’s action authorizes placement of stop lines and signage according to the engineer’s design.
- Approving the county’s 2026 holiday calendar for payroll planning.
- Approving two rezoning requests. The first, for Parcel 018030005 on Willow Lane, changed the parcel from Small Agricultural to Rural Residential for a 1.25‑acre portion of a 7.86‑acre tract; the record shows a commission member opposed the motion, producing a tie, and the commission chair cast the tie‑breaking vote to approve the rezone. The second, RZ191011 (an application submitted by Daryl Morris on behalf of Ava Rogers for property at 285 Stevens View Road), was approved with the planning commission’s recommended condition that a one‑acre tract be combined with an adjacent neighborhood lot (Parcel 053D078001) and with an additional county condition that no access be taken from Stevens View Road; staff added that if the Georgia Department of Transportation denies an encroachment or access permit, the applicant may return to the planning office for further review.
The commission also approved minutes for the Sept. 15, 2025 regular meeting and an Oct. 6, 2025 joint work session, heard a third‑quarter 9‑1‑1 report noting Lynn Burrell processed 2,726 calls in the period, and received a quarterly finance report showing revenues of $16,783,563 (42% of budget timing) and various departmental expenditure percentages (general fund total ~67%; public safety ~75%).
A motion to amend the meeting agenda to add an executive session on personnel (item 11) was approved at the start of the meeting. The board later moved to enter executive session.
Votes at a glance
- Agenda amendment to add executive session (personnel): motion approved (mover/second not specified in the record).
- Approve paving of tenant apron for Black Sport Aviators (airport lease-related): motion approved (mover/second not specified).
- Approve 2026–2031 Airport Five‑Year Capital Improvement Plan and authorize chair to sign necessary documents: motion approved (mover/second not specified). Plan totals cited in staff packet: federal entitlement $750,000; AIP/AIG $5,892,000; state $1,061,666; local $571,668; total $8,275,334.
- Surplus and donation of hydraulic and rescue tools to Lyrely volunteer fire department: motion approved.
- Install 4‑way stop at Lower Dotta & Fairview (engineering study recommended): motion approved; staff will place stop lines/signs per engineering design.
- Approve 2026 holiday calendar (payroll planning): motion approved.
- Approve minutes (Sept. 15 regular; Oct. 6 joint work session): motion approved.
- Rezone Parcel 018030005 (Willow Lane): motion approved after a tie; chair cast tie‑breaking vote in favor.
- RZ191011 (Daryl Morris for Ava Rogers, 285 Stevens View Road): motion approved with planning commission condition that one acre be added to Parcel 053D078001 and county condition that no access be taken from Stevens View Road; applicant may return if GDOT denies an encroachment/access permit.
What remained discussion or was deferred
County staff said some airport lease and FAA correspondence remain unresolved; the FAA has until November to provide requested information. For the Lower Dotta/Fairview intersection, staff said radar certification for enforcement is pending and that a stop sign provides an enforceable traffic control mechanism while other enforcement options are developed.
The meeting concluded with commissioners moving to executive session for personnel matters; no public action was recorded while the meeting was in closed session.
Sources: Pickens County Commission meeting transcript, Oct. 20, 2025.
