Commission adopts minutes and agenda, reviews COA application and ordinance, and notes UGA student master‑plan work

The Thomaston City Historic Preservation Commission opened its Jan. 5 meeting by approving the Dec. 1, 2025 meeting minutes and adopting the day's agenda. Mr. Walter Brown moved to approve the minutes; Rev. James McGill seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Alison Uphold moved to adopt the agenda; Rev. McGill seconded; that motion also carried unanimously.

Chair Jane Burdette asked for disclosures of conflict; Rev. James McGill disclosed a conflict with Item H (605 N. Hightower Street) and recused himself from consideration of that item for the record.

Staff presented an updated Certificate of Appropriateness application incorporating prior feedback. Chair Burdette and Mr. Grady Kilgore offered additional edits; Economic Development Director Taylor J. Smith said he will provide an amended version at the commission's February meeting. Smith also shared the current Historic Preservation Commission ordinance and asked commissioners to review and outline any edits; he said the commission intends to discuss proposed ordinance changes over upcoming meetings with the goal of presenting them to Thomaston City Council later in the year.

In other business, Smith told commissioners that students from the University of Georgia College of Environment & Design will be in Thomaston City Jan. 30–Feb. 1 to work on a master plan for the East Thomaston Redevelopment area.

At 2:54 p.m., Mr. Walter Brown moved to adjourn; Mr. Ted Kandler seconded and the motion carried unanimously.