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Resident objects to rezoning as developer, applicant give competing accounts; board approves RZ25‑12‑04
Summary
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved RZ25‑12‑04, rezoning two South Bellaire Road parcels from CC to R‑2 after competing statements from homeowner James Blankenship and developer representative Sajal Lakhani about prior negotiations and potential impacts. The board carried the motion following debate.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on March 17 approved RZ25‑12‑04, changing zoning from CC (commercial) to R‑2 (single‑family residential) for parcels at 309 and 311 South Bellaire Road after a motion by Commissioner Steed.
Resident James Blankenship, who said he owns 309 South Bellaire Road, told the board he and his neighbor filed to revert the property to residential because a developer who previously rezoned and contracted to buy the larger tract has since "backed out" and left the homeowning residents worried about being squeezed by future commercial development. Blankenship said the developer warned that if the homeowners reject the offer he "will no longer retain interest in your property," and he urged the board to "show me grace and help protect me from a developer coming in and treating me a resident of this county, like this."
Sajal Lakhani, project manager for Access Real Estate, urged commissioners to keep the parcel zoned CC, saying the company has invested in the project and that retaining CC would provide a larger buffer, landscaping and fencing. "If you let this stay, CC ... you serve the interests of the county," Lakhani said, arguing that flip‑flopping zoning sets a bad precedent for investors. He said the company had discussed temporary code nonenforcement while negotiations continued.
Commissioners discussed the history of a prior conditional commercial use and a 12‑month residential condition, and staff summarized that the property was rezoned in 2024 and the temporary residential allowance subsequently expired. Commissioner Steed said the board's view was to honor the earlier stated condition that the parcel revert to R‑2 after the temporary period, but commissioners ultimately voted to approve the motion on the floor. The transcript records the motion as carried; no detailed roll‑call vote was read into the record in the transcript provided.
The action resolves the immediate zoning of the two parcels; the developer, the homeowners and county staff all indicated ongoing negotiations and possible future development options.
