Port Wentworth council approves rezoning for industrial site and medical center, hears first reading for office use

Port Wentworth, Ga. — The Port Wentworth City Council on April 16 approved two rezonings and introduced a third at first reading.

The council unanimously approved a second-reading rezoning submitted by Phillip R. McCorkle as agent for PWCC Landco Main, LLC to convert 18.58 of 33.91 acres from R-1 to I-1 for industrial use (PINs 70976 02014; 70975 01013; 70975 01014) in the 1st Council District off Wentworth Parkway. Thomas Barbee moved the measure and Mark Stephens seconded; the six council members present voted yes.

Council also unanimously approved rezoning 3.317 of 61.82 acres from R-4 to C-1 to allow a medical center (PIN 70978 05013) in the 3rd Council District on Anchor Park Boulevard. Mark Stephens moved the item and Thomas Barbee seconded; the vote was unanimous.

Separately, Council heard a first reading for a rezoning application from Whitney L. Williams to rezone 2.73 acres from R-1 to C-1 at 640 Meinhard Road in the 3rd Council District for rental office space. City Planner Katie Dunnigan said the parcel is the former WCE property and the proposed change represents a 0.029% shift from R-1 to C-1. City Manager Steve Davis noted the C-1 district’s prohibitions — cemeteries, contractor facilities, antennas, gas stations and RV parks — and said the city would like to include those additional restrictions as part of the proposed requirements. The Whitney L. Williams item was introduced as a first reading; no final vote was recorded in the transcript.

Council also approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting, which included a Right of Way Maintenance Agreement between the Port Wentworth Police Department and the Georgia Department of Transportation and ratification of a development agreement with Landco.

All vote outcomes reported in the transcript were unanimous among council members present.