Newton County commissioners approve zoning changes, opioid fund allocations and construction contract adjustments; drive‑through restaurant draws public concern

Newton County commissioners on Oct. 7 approved a package of zoning changes, spending items and contracts while hearing several hours of public comment — most heated around a proposed multi‑tenant retail center with a drive‑through at Brown Bridge and Salem roads.

The most contested agenda item was a conditional use permit to convert a former Walgreens at 12955 Brown Bridge Road into an eight‑tenant retail center that would include a drive‑through window. Developer Eashan Hakani told the board he had removed a previously proposed convenience store and fuel pumps after community meetings and said he had discussed potential tenants ranging from coffee/bagel concepts to locally owned restaurants. “I do agree that I need to work close to the community to make sure that there is a development here that the community ... is proud of,” Hakani said during the hearing.

But neighbors and community advocates told commissioners they want healthier, full‑service food options and were wary of “bait‑and‑switch” approvals based on conceptual plans. “When we approve conceptual, we don't necessarily get what citizens actually want and need,” said speaker Kim Shu. Carla Daniels Hooper, representing District 3 residents, described large parts of the county as a “food desert” and urged intentional recruitment of non‑fast‑food businesses.

Despite the objections, Commissioner Mason moved to approve the conditional use permit with staff‑recommended conditions; the motion passed unanimously. Staff conditions require conformity with the submitted site plan, compliance with Salem overlay architectural standards, environmental and transportation reviews, and prohibit certain uses (tattoo parlors and vape shops) and overnight commercial vehicle parking.

Votes at a glance

- CUP 25‑000011 (12955 Brown Bridge Road — multi‑tenant retail with drive‑through): Approved, unanimous. Conditioned on compliance with staff recommendations including site plan, transportation approvals and environmental health clearances.

- REZ 25‑000008 (6610 Highway 20 — rezoning from neighborhood commercial to agricultural residential for family conveyance): Approved, unanimous. Parcel ~9.26 acres; plan to subdivide into four lots for family conveyance.

- REZ 25‑000005 (825 Davis Ford Road — rezoning to rural estate for family conveyance): Approved, unanimous. Parcel ~11.23 acres; reconfiguration to two lots (4.16 and 7.02 acres).

- CUP 25‑000512 (continuation of existing tree service at 4248 Highway 212): Approved, unanimous. Conditional use to continue tree service operation; permit to remain valid while business operates.

- Budget transfer to fund two new public defender positions (FY26 contingency to new position line item): Approved, unanimous. Finance director Britney White noted a spreadsheet correction that listed one position as part‑time although both are full‑time.

- Opioid settlement distribution (recommendation of the opioid committee): Approved, unanimous. Board approved $50,000 one‑time to Piedmont Hospital for emergency department modifications (secure doors), $25,000 one‑time to Emergency Management Agency (240 naloxone kits and 48 cabinets for county buildings and training), and $50,000 annual to Viewpoint Health for medication‑assisted treatment and counseling (until funds are exhausted). Staff corrected a requested sheriff allocation from $165,000 to $125,000 and said the sheriff’s request will return at the next meeting.

- Transportation contract adjustments: Approved, unanimous. Change order to Wright Brothers Construction adding $79,157.50 to the Yellow River / Brown Bridge Road bridge contract to remove discovered asbestos piping (hazmat removal). Contract with JMT for right‑of‑way acquisition assistance for the Brown Bridal Road at Coral Road intersection project in the amount proposed (staff cited a $206,000 proposal as the low bid); board approved contracting with JMT.

- Fire services reporting software consolidation (move from three platforms to one for easier state reporting): Approved, unanimous.

- Parks & Recreation sponsorship acceptance (Amazon sponsorship for fall and Christmas events): Approved, unanimous.

- Appointment of Susan Nolley as county clerk (Item 13a): Approved, unanimous.

- Fairview Community Park resolution (acknowledging county fee simple title to ~12.1 acres known as Fairview Community Park): Approved, unanimous. County attorney briefed the board about a prior shooting‑related lawsuit that had been brought against the Fairview Estates Homeowners Association and explained why the county declined to provide a hold‑harmless agreement.

- Alcohol license first reading (Brownbridge Quick Stop LLC — first reading only): Item presented; first reading recorded.

What commissioners and staff said

Commissioner Mason, who moved approval of the Brown Bridge drive‑through CUP, told the board he had taken the developer’s community outreach into account and will continue to work with the developer and economic development staff to attract tenants the community supports. “I truly believe through the conversations ... you do wanna make sure that this is not a bait and switch project,” Mason said to the developer.

Transportation director Chester Clegg told the board the $79,157.50 change order for the Yellow River bridge project was under 1% of the project’s approximately $10 million budget and stemmed from asbestos pipe found during construction that required certified hazmat removal.

County staff and the opioid committee provided the background for the settlement distribution: Piedmont Hospital would use a one‑time allocation to equip a safe, controlled area in its emergency department to receive behavioral‑health patients; EMA would place naloxone kits in county facilities and train staff; Viewpoint Health would provide medications and counseling for people with opioid use disorder.

Community comments and UDO concerns

A substantial portion of public comment focused on the county’s pending Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) rewrite. Several speakers — including small‑group participants who said they had taken part in earlier UDO sessions — urged the board to ensure the ordinance reflects citizen priorities, to show a clear mapping of citizen requests to proposed text, and to address district‑specific differences (for example, concerns about excessive gas stations and rental concentrations in certain subdivisions). “As we go through the next six months ... I would like to see a document that says, ‘here’s what the citizens asked for and here’s where the UDO represents that,’ ” a resident said.

Fairview Estates homeowners and representatives also addressed the Fairview Park resolution. Fairview residents explained their homeowners association had been represented in a previous lawsuit and said their insurer handled settlement discussions; the county attorney explained why the county would not have been the defendant and why a county hold‑harmless agreement would have presented legal and fiscal issues.

Why it matters

The approvals affect land use, public safety and county expenditures. The opioid‑settlement spending targets hospitals, emergency management and behavioral‑health services that county staff said are intended to reduce overdose risk and improve crisis response. Transportation votes authorize additional spending and consultant work to keep road and bridge projects moving. The UDO discussion reflected public concern about the county’s growth pattern and what types of retail and services are allowed under new rules.

What’s next

Several items will return for additional action: staff said a sheriff’s request tied to opioid funds will be brought back at the board’s next meeting; the Brown Bridge project will proceed toward permitting and tenant recruitment under the conditions approved by the board; and the UDO rewrite remains under review with anticipated adoption discussion across coming months.

(See the attached “actions” array for motion texts, formal outcomes and provenance from the meeting transcript.)