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Liberty County approves conditional-use permit for Rick's Tree Service with buffer and incinerator conditions
Summary
The Liberty County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional-use permit for Rick's Tree Service to operate on a 43.41-acre parcel off Leroy Coffer Highway, imposing a 50-foot vegetative buffer and requiring an air‑curtain incinerator for on‑site burning; commissioners raised traffic and median-crossing concerns.
The Liberty County Board of Commissioners voted March 3 to approve a conditional‑use permit allowing Rick's Tree Service to stage and manage timber materials on a 43.41‑acre parcel off Leroy Coffer Highway.
Planning staff presented the application, saying the parcel is zoned agricultural/forestry and that the Planning Commission recommended approval with two special conditions: “a 50‑ft vegetative buffer shall be maintained around the perimeter of the tree service business” and “an air curtain incinerator shall be required for any on‑site burning of debris,” language read into the record by Mr. Ricketson.
The proposal covers staging and timber management located primarily in the agriculturally zoned rear of the property; staff noted a portion of the site lies in the flood plain but that proposed operations would be located outside wetlands. The presenter described the use as low intensity and consistent with the county’s future land‑use map for agricultural forestry.
Several commissioners raised operational and traffic concerns. Commissioner Blood said one resident had called in opposition and questioned how vehicle access would work if a nearby planned concrete plant did not proceed. In response Mr. Ricketson said vehicles would either have to use a GDOT‑approved median break or legally travel to a signal and make a U‑turn, and that unauthorized crossings are an enforcement issue.
The board moved, seconded and approved the conditional‑use permit with the special conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission. The motion and vote were taken by show of hands; the meeting record does not list individual roll‑call votes.
Next steps identified in the discussion include maintaining the required buffer, ensuring the air‑curtain incinerator condition is met before on‑site burning, and coordination with GDOT or law enforcement if access or median breaks become an operational issue.
The decision concluded the public hearing on the item; staff and the applicant were present during the discussion.
