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Residents urge moratorium as travel-center rezoning draws heavy opposition in Tift County
Summary
At a July 2 workshop, residents and county staff debated a petition to rezone a 0.9-acre tract for a travel center; the Planning Commission produced no recommendation after a 2–2 vote and several citizens asked the board to consider a moratorium on truck stops.
At a July 2 workshop, the Tift County Board of Commissioners heard strong public opposition to a petition to rezone a 0.9-acre parcel beside 3232 U.S. Highway 41 N from agricultural to general business to allow development of a travel center.
Community Development Services Director Chris Davis told commissioners the applicant — owner Baljinda Singh and agent Jerime Buffington — also owns an adjacent 17-acre tract already zoned GB and intends to develop the larger property as a travel center. Davis said numerous citizens contacted the planning office to oppose the request, and that the Greater Tift County Planning Commission produced no recommendation after a 2–2 vote at its June 13 meeting.
During public comment, residents voiced safety and quality-of-life concerns tied to truck-stop development in the Chula area. Reed Hall, a resident of 131 S. Virginia Ave., asked the board to consider a moratorium on truck stops "so that additional standards can be enacted," and two other nearby residents, Mark Freeman and Crystal Gillard of 202 Academy Drive, expressed opposition to the project.
The petition (TC-ZA-24-05) was the most contentious land-use item on the workshop agenda. Commissioners did not take a final vote at the workshop; staff filed the item for consideration at the board's July 8 Regular Session. The board's decision then will determine whether the rezoning request moves forward, is denied, or is amended.
