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Washington County commissioners approve a slate of land-use changes, infrastructure contracts and grants
Summary
At its December meeting, the Washington County Board approved several small-scale future land use map changes, an airport protection overlay, multiple grant acceptances and infrastructure contracts, and granted a narrow variance for an erosion/drainage repair on Owen Place Road.
The Washington County Board of County Commissioners on a voice vote approved multiple land-use amendments, accepted grant awards and authorized infrastructure contracts during a meeting in December.
The board approved three small-scale future land use map amendments affecting parcels on Wilderness Road and other locations, adopting staff recommendations and taking final action after county planning and public notice. One application — a request to change about 15 acres from agriculture/silviculture to residential low (842 Rattlebox Road) — was denied after the planning commission recommended denial citing safety and existing dwellings on the site. Planning staff and the planning commission split on cases in some instances; the board followed planning commission recommendations when it voted.
The board also approved a text amendment to create a Tri County Airport protection overlay and to coordinate review with the Tri County Airport Authority and neighboring counties. Afcon, Inc. representatives and a Tri County Airport Authority board member said the overlay implements FAA/FDOT-aligned protections (height limits and compatible uses) consistent with Chapter 333 of the Florida Statutes.
On infrastructure and grants, commissioners:
• Awarded construction for Domingjak Road to Anderson Columbia for the low bid of $1,750,552.10 with FDOT concurrence; staff said the bid came in under the remaining project budget.
• Approved acceptance of an $8,400 FFGAP decontamination equipment grant (75% grant; 25% local match) to purchase particulate hoods, gloves and helmet ear flaps for fire personnel.
• Authorized staff to apply for a Safe Routes to School (LAP) grant for a sidewalk project connecting Washington VPK to Kate Smith Elementary and noted the county may need outside grant administration support if awarded.
• Approved requested budget adjustments to an existing generators grant because material costs increased.
• Approved CDBG administration and engineering services agreements related to an infrastructure project dubbed 'Project Gantry,' with details partly subject to confidentiality until early next year.
One notable local action: the board granted a specific variance to allow removal of sediment at a cross drain on Owen Place Road and approved allowing the excavated material to be stockpiled on the adjacent private property so the property owner can rebuild and thicken an aging dam that protects a county road. County attorneys and public works staff discussed policy limits and clarified the approval is case-by-case and tied to protecting county infrastructure.
The meeting also included routine approvals (previous minutes), asset surplus authorizations (vehicles and trailers to auction), public-works project updates, parks updates, and administrative items (a proposed police pay study, a plan to resume limited county-owned property sales with administrative fees, and livestreaming for planning commission meetings). The clerk reported November vouchers totaling $2,458,765.40. Commissioners were also briefed that roughly $2.75 million in Hurricane Michael-related reimbursements had been advanced by the state in recent weeks, with about half already reaching the county.
The board closed the meeting with holiday remarks and set follow-up actions including engineering interviews scheduled for a January workshop.
