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Lincoln County commissioners approve zoning reversions, contract awards and code updates
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Summary
At its April meeting the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners approved three zoning reversions, awarded contracts and renewals (including a right-of-way mowing contract and GIS agreements), authorized multiple repairs and grants, and adopted text changes raising the subdivision buildout threshold and creating a 50-foot cemetery setback.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of routine land-use, contract and budget items at its April meeting, including three zoning reversions, several contract renewals and two text changes to the county code.
The board reverted three parcels to their prior zoning designations after unanimous votes. Director of Community Development Seymour told commissioners the planning commission had unanimously recommended returning the 2-acre Helen Cabot parcel at 2095 Maxim Road from C-1 to R-3 because the daycare use was never established. The board approved that motion. The board also approved two reversion requests for properties owned by Heitman Holdings LLC (Map 19 Parcel 017), reverting one 1.75-acre parcel and a second 2.78-acre parcel from C-1 back to A-1, following planning’s unanimous recommendation; no members of the public objected during the hearing.
Those zoning actions were among many consent- and action-agenda items the board approved. Finance Director Doss reported March fund balances (general fund $3,911,293; transportation SPLOST $2,214,707; total cash and investments about $8,957,642), after which the board approved two agreements with GIS 1 LLC: a property-maintenance contract for the board of tax assessors at $340 per month ($4,080 annually) and an hourly consulting contract (office rates $50–$70/hour; field $65–$85/hour) for community development, both subject to budget appropriation.
The board awarded the right-of-way mowing contract to American Eagle, the low bidder, under a one-year contract with two one-year renewal options. Director Seymour reported a three-year total of $504,064.35 (presented as one-year with options); the per-mowing figure cited in the meeting was $54,905.37 and three mowings per year were shown as a $164,716.11 annual total. Commissioners said the mowing work will be paid from the transportation SPLOST account.
Parks and recreation items included the approval of a lease with the U.S. Army Corps for Cherokee Park through Feb. 28, 2029 and a sublease of the park to Georgia Freshwater Campground for the same term to align campground lease expirations. The board also authorized replacement of two inoperable fire-alarm systems (Walker T. Norman Gymnasium and the Office of Emergency Services) at an estimated cost of $16,090 with Dixie Communications.
On facilities and maintenance, the board approved up to $15,000 from SPLOST Tier 2 to repair foundation piers and skirting at the Family Connection office at the Curry Coburn Recreation Complex. Separately, the board approved up to $15,000 from the water fund (to be reimbursed with ARP funds) to realign and repair casings in wells serving the Eagle Pointe, Savannah Bay and Pointe Shores subdivisions after staff reported high iron issues.
The commission also approved several grants and administrative items. The board recorded its support for a $25,000 Georgia Fire Safety Training Council award to Beulah Volunteer Fire Department for five sets of turnout gear (Beulah reported it raised local matching funds through a community yard sale). The board authorized county staff to apply for a 50/50 major-repair grant for the library (cap $150,000) and approved a resolution declaring April 12–18, 2026 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Lincoln County to honor 911 dispatch staff.
Legal and code changes were on the agenda. The board adopted a text amendment to section 34-3-14 of the Lincoln County code to require that 75% (increased from 50%) of lots in a subdivision must have certificates of occupancy before the county will consider accepting private roads into the county road system. The board also approved a text change to section 34-5-23 to require a 50-foot setback from any property line for new public or private cemeteries; Seymour said the change mirrors requirements other counties apply to setbacks and is intended to protect adjacent property owners.
County Attorney Grayson told the board Lincoln County must opt in to the national opioid settlement by May 4 to receive a share of the settlement funds; the commission voted to accept the attorney’s recommendation and opt in.
Most votes were carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The board continued routine practice of moving and seconding motions on the record and authorized the chairman and clerk to sign contracts and agreements where noted.
Why it matters: The zoning reversions return three parcels to residential or agricultural designations, affecting future permitted uses; the code changes increase the threshold for developers seeking county acceptance of private roads and add a setback requirement for new cemeteries, both of which change development conditions in Lincoln County. Contract awards and repair authorizations commit budgeted SPLOST and water-fund dollars to maintenance and services affecting county infrastructure and public safety.
What’s next: Several items require further administrative steps; in particular, the new abandoned-vehicle ordinance had only its first reading (see separate item) and will return for a second reading and a vote on May 12, 2026. Contracts and agreements approved at the meeting were authorized for signature so execution is expected in the coming weeks.
