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Polk County commissioners approve zoning changes, set qualifying fee and OK $150,000 for Santa Claus Tract maintenance
Summary
At its Feb. 3, 2026 meeting, the Polk County Board of Commissioners approved a series of land-use and administrative actions including two rezoning approvals, one rezoning denial, a $150,000 conservation maintenance agreement, the county's qualifying fee for 2026, an updated Emergency Operations Plan and a UGA Cooperative Extension MOU.
The Polk County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3, 2026 approved several land-use and administrative measures, including two zoning approvals, one denial, and a $150,000 maintenance agreement tied to the county's acquisition of the Santa Claus Tract.
Chairman Charles Thaxton called the meeting to order at 6:25 p.m. and the board first approved the meeting agenda as amended to add consideration of a proposed agreement with the Conservation Fund. The board then approved minutes from its Jan. 6, 2026 regular meeting.
On land-use matters, the board granted variance V26-01 for a 10-foot rear-setback relief requested by Joseph Dewitt Crocker for property at 816 N. Bellview Road in Aragon (Parcel 047-172) after the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. The board also approved zoning change Z26-01, moving 496 Dry Creek Road in Cedartown (Parcel 018-008) from A-1 to R-1, following the planning commission's recommendation. A separate rezoning request, Z26-02, sought by Christopher Meyer to change 94 Wimberly Hill Loop (Parcel 036-119) from A-1 to C-1 was denied, consistent with the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation.
The board considered, but did not vote on, a resolution authorizing Polk County to participate in Cedartown's Tax Allocation District No. 1 (Martha Berry Highway): Commissioner David McElwee moved to approve the resolution, but the motion "died for lack of a Second." Commissioners later discussed the TAD during the commissioner-comments portion of the meeting.
The board set the qualifying fee for the Office of County Commissioner for districts 1, 2 and 3 for the 2026 election at $409.42, as required by O.C.G.A. § 21-2-131. The Polk County Local Emergency Operations Plan update, required by the state every four years and including cooperative agreements with jurisdictions within the county, was approved on the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee.
The board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension that outlines responsibilities between Polk County and the Board of Regents/UGA for provision of extension services and personnel.
On conservation, the board approved an agreement with the Conservation Fund to provide $150,000 for future maintenance of the Santa Claus Tract the county is acquiring; the funds will be deposited into a county account and used as needed for maintenance.
County Manager Matt Denton offered no report. During commissioner comments, Commissioner David McElwee congratulated Chairman Thaxton on presiding over his first full meeting and explained his position supporting the TAD after board members educated themselves on the matter. Commissioner Hal Floyd thanked those who attended and spoke on the TAD, and Commissioner Michael Gravett said he did not cast a vote because a vote was not called for and that he intended to continue discussions to seek an arrangement that works for Polk County and Cedartown. The board entered an executive session for personnel and pending litigation and then reconvened and adjourned the meeting.
