Planning commission backs 72‑lot Tillery Park phase and approves multiple TUAs and variances

Columbia County’s Planning Commission on April 16 unanimously recommended approval of a 72‑lot preliminary plat for Tillery Park area 4A and approved a series of related development requests that will be forwarded to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners on May 5 for final action.

Danielle, a staff member, presented the Tillery Park preliminary plat, saying the section includes 52 single‑family lots (minimum 6,000 square feet, average about 7,250 square feet) and 20 townhouse lots, with sidewalks, street trees and 50‑foot perimeter buffers. She told commissioners the plan includes the required connection to Canterbury Farms Parkway and that staff was recommending approval. The commission moved and, by voice vote, recommended the preliminary plat for the Board of Commissioners.

Nana, a staff member, reviewed an architectural compliance request for a multi‑tenant retail building at 426 Lewon Road (zoned C2). She described proposed elevations, materials and storefront layouts and said staff recommended approval; the commission approved the architectural review by voice vote.

In the public‑hearing segment the commission approved three temporary use authorizations (TUAs) allowing short‑term occupancy of travel trailers or an existing mobile home while applicants build permanent residences. Nana described the request for 7175 Buildor Road (about 5.63 acres, zoned RA); applicant Lacy Robertson said the trailer is used only on weekends and does not have a sewer hookup. Danielle presented the application for 668 Perry Lee Road; applicant Christy Turner said construction contracts and permits are in process. Dylan presented the TUA for 7725 Winfield Hills Road (R4); applicant William Travis Mosley said he has lived at the address 18 years and has a contractor lined up to build a new house. Staff recommended approval for all three TUAs and the commission approved them by voice votes.

A minor waiver (MW26‑04‑01) to reduce the front building setback at 1835 Appling Harlem Road was presented by staff, who recommended a 10‑foot reduction. Owner Billy Walden spoke in support, saying the reduction would accommodate a patio cover; the commission approved the waiver.

For 212 Bobby Jones Expressway the commission recommended approval with conditions of a sign variance (VA26‑04‑01) that would allow additional wall signage as a redistribution of the site’s total allowable signage. Nana said the combined signage would total about 102 square feet under the proposed approach and recommended conditions requiring permitting or removal of certain signs within 30 days of Board approval; a representative for the owner said the owner would comply.

Dylan presented a variance request (VA26‑04‑02) for 710 Whitetail Trail to reduce a rear setback from the 25‑foot requirement to 10 feet so a storage structure could be sited at the end of an existing driveway that is not a county‑maintained road. Staff said adjacent parcels and the rural character of the area supported the request and the commission recommended approval.

During the public‑comment portion an attendee raised a separate complaint about code enforcement citations related to brick mailboxes on Morris Callaway; staff said the matter was not a planning issue and would be handled outside the hearing.

The commission recorded no legal matters and adjourned after approving the day’s motions. Its recommendations will be presented to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners at the May 5, 2026 meeting for final action.