Tift County commissioners preview May 13 agenda as Planning Commission backs denial of rezoning request

The Tift County Board of Commissioners on May 7 reviewed a slate of items for its May 13 meeting, including a contested rezoning petition that the county planning board recommended denying and a recommended purchase of new financial software.

County Manager Jim Carter told the board that Alicia Hill Smith has applied to rezone a five-acre tract at 2110 Old Ocilla Road from AG (Agriculture) to CC (Community Commercial) to allow construction of an equestrian center for rodeo events. Carter said the parcel is surrounded by AG and R1 zoning and that the Planning Commission voted to recommend denial, finding the request did not meet the commission’s 11 zoning standards and did not follow the adopted Tift County Comprehensive Plan. Carter also said roughly six adjoining property owners spoke in opposition at the Planning Commission hearing while about six people who do not live in Tift County spoke in favor.

The rezoning request will appear on the upcoming regular agenda after board discussion at the workshop. Because the Planning Commission recommended denial and the request involves a change from agricultural to community-commercial zoning on a parcel amid residential and agricultural uses, the item could generate public comment and…