Commissioners approve Jones Creek Farms’ conditional-use permit for small farm stand

The Liberty County Board of Commissioners on June 2 approved Conditional Use 2026-21, allowing Jones Creek Farms to operate a small agricultural retail stand and integrated vendor space in unincorporated District 1. The site is at 799 Old Gresham Island Road on a roughly 20‑acre parcel zoned AR‑1.

Jeff Rickerson, planning staff with the Liberty County Planning Commission, presented the application and told the board the indoor retail area was "about 700 square feet," with adjacent parking already in place and the rest of the property remaining farm or wooded land. Rickerson said the LCPC recommended approval with standard conditions after evaluating the permit against the six criteria in the county's unified development ordinance.

Applicants Stephanie and Jacob Jones described the proposal as "a little farm stand" intended to support local vendors, cottage‑food producers, small‑scale farmers and artisans. They said some produce would be grown on site and that a local dairy delivers milk to the business.

A commissioner motion to follow the LCPC recommendation carried by a show‑of‑hands vote. No individual roll call tally was recorded in the public minutes.

Why it matters: The permit permits a community‑scale retail option that county staff said preserves the parcel’s low‑density, agricultural character while creating a market for local producers. Planning staff emphasized buffers and limited new transportation impacts as part of the permitting rationale.

What’s next: The approval is subject to the standard conditions recommended by the LCPC; applicants were invited to bring interested commissioners to visit the site.

Sources: Presentation and Q&A by Jeff Rickerson (LCPC staff); testimony by applicants Stephanie and Jacob Jones.