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Millledgeville council tables annexation of North Columbia property after residents raise traffic and safety concerns
Summary
Following strong resident opposition about heavy‑vehicle access via Longleaf Trail and requests for traffic studies and binding conditions, the council voted to table the proposed annexation and rezoning for 2747 North Columbia Street to allow further review.
Residents packed the June 9 Millledgeville council meeting to oppose a proposed annexation and heavy‑commercial zoning for 2747 North Columbia Street, prompting council to table the request for further study.
Applicant Brian Gillis, general manager for Georgia Home Center, told council the 1.56‑acre property (owned by Wilson Keenan) had been used previously as a mobile‑home dealership and he sought annexation to access city utilities and to improve driveway access. Planning and zoning had recommended approval by a 3–1 vote after a contested hearing.
Opposition speakers repeatedly raised traffic and safety concerns tied to Longleaf Trail, a narrow residential road. Chris Medilli asked that the hearing be paused pending an independent traffic impact study (TIS), a review of the comprehensive plan, and a binding site plan showing required buffers and stormwater controls. He cited O.C.G.A. 36‑36‑11 as a mechanism to pause annexation when procedures or adjacent uses raise legal concerns.
Neighbor Scott Salult showed a diagram and described prior utility damage when heavy vehicles used nearby roads, saying heavy equipment had previously torn down fiber and utility lines and that Longleaf Trail was not engineered for frequent heavy‑vehicle traffic. Residents asked the council to deny annexation or, at minimum, require a condition that forbids commercial access from Longleaf Trail and requires the applicant to fund road improvements if heavy use was required.
Council members questioned whether a driveway cut from U.S. 441/North Columbia (which would require Georgia DOT permission for a new access) was feasible and noted the applicant had submitted an engineered driveway proposal. Given unresolved matters about traffic access, potential DOT requirements, and neighborhood impacts, the council voted to table Ordinance O‑2604‑13 to allow staff, the city attorney and planning to develop possible conditions (paving, binding site plan, TIS) and return the item to a future meeting.
The tabled motion passed on a roll call vote. While the applicant may continue to use county‑permitted activities until annexation occurs, council members emphasized any city approval could include conditions to require applicant‑funded roadway or access mitigation.
