Upson County commissioners approve one beer-and-wine license, deny another; emergency plan approved, moratorium releases
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Summary
At its Feb. 24 meeting the Upson County Board of Commissioners approved a beer-and-wine package sales license for a store at 2015 Yatesville Highway, denied a separate application for 1 Stop Food Mart, approved the county's Local Emergency Operations Plan, released several parcels from a subdivision moratorium for standard review and tabled a proposed generator purchase. Votes were taken by roll call on each formal motion.
Upson County commissioners met Feb. 24 in Thomaston and voted on a slate of routine and contested items, including two beer-and-wine license applications, the county's Local Emergency Operations Plan, and requests to release parcels from a subdivision moratorium.
The board approved a beer-and-wine package sales license for a store at 2015 Yatesville Highway after public comment in support from the applicant and property owners. Planning staff told the board the submitted survey predated recent ordinance changes, and several commissioners questioned whether the project had been disadvantaged by a mid-project ordinance change. Commissioner Biggs moved to approve the license and the motion carried after a roll-call vote.
The board also considered a separate application for 1 Stop Food Mart at 1038 Atwater Road. Planning staff recommended denial under county ordinance section 6-36-8. Commissioner Jones moved to deny the application, Commissioner Watson seconded, and the board's roll-call vote carried to deny the license.
Officials approved the county's Local Emergency Operations Plan, noting the approximately 300-page plan is required by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and must be current to access FEMA and GEMA funding. A staff member told the board the only substantive updates were contact information and that the —meat of the plan— remains unchanged.
The board released several specific parcels from a standing moratorium on subdivisions to allow planning and zoning staff to process subdivision applications. Commissioners clarified that releasing a parcel from the moratorium allows the applicant to proceed through the planning review process but is not a final approval of any subdivision.
Votes at a glance:
- Motion to approve the meeting agenda: carried (roll call). - Beer-and-wine license, 2015 Yatesville Highway: motion to approve carried (roll call). - Beer-and-wine license, 1 Stop Food Mart (1038 Atwater Road): staff recommended denial; motion to deny carried (roll call). - Approval of Feb. 10 minutes (consent agenda): carried (roll call). - Approval of Local Emergency Operations Plan: carried (roll call). - Release of listed parcels from subdivision moratorium to allow review: carried (roll call).
The board also heard extended public comment on local government responsiveness and ethics; public commenters urged greater transparency, responsiveness to emails and reconsideration of a zoning decision involving a proposed veterinary clinic. Several commissioners encouraged residents to participate in an upcoming zoning review.
The meeting ended after additional commissioner remarks and a motion to adjourn.