Developer proposes recycling and crushing facility at former state hospital site; council accepts planning commission findings

Milledgeville City Council on Jan. 13 heard a public hearing on a rezoning request for approximately 50 acres at 217 Thomas Field Road to be designated Heavy Industrial (HI) for a recycling and concrete/brick crushing staging area.

Zoning Administrator Barnwell told the council the planning and zoning commission recommended approval by a 4–1 vote, with the lone dissent focused on dust exposure for a nearby school, Midway School. "There was a 4 to 1 vote in favor. There was only 1 no vote and the no vote was at issue with the dust for possible dust exposure to a possible school nearby Midway School," Barnwell said.

Applicant Tia Smith, who identified herself as representing Tia Smith Development Company, said the project responds to demolition work at the former youth development complex and aims to reuse inert materials. Smith described the site as "a green project" and said final permits would be sought from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. She said the operation would use on-site dust-abatement systems and require that trucks leave covered by tarps. "We expect a minimum 25 employees," Smith said, adding the facility would operate on two shifts.

Council members asked about traffic routing and potential impacts on nearby mobile-home residents. Smith showed a site map and said truck traffic would use a back route that avoids the park and that trucks would be tarped for transport. Barnwell reiterated that construction and operating permits would be completed with state environmental review.

After public testimony concluded, a council member moved to accept the planning and zoning commission—indings. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried; the council accepted the commission—indings and closed the hearing on the ordinance.

The agenda item record notes the property's proposed use as a staging and crushing site for inert materials, applicant claims of dust-mitigation procedures, an expected minimum of 25 employees, and that the applicant plans to pursue required state environmental permitting. The council's action at the meeting was procedural acceptance of the planning and zoning findings; any final rezoning or permits remain subject to subsequent steps and approvals.