Byron council approves zoning moratoriums, alcohol ordinance, senior-center lease and audit engagement

The City of Byron Mayor and Council met Feb. 12 and unanimously approved a package of ordinances, resolutions and administrative actions affecting zoning, city services and auditing for the 2023 fiscal year.

Mayor Michael Chidester called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and read amendments to the agenda adding an audit engagement letter with Mauldin & Jenkins and a stormwater options item for the Manchester Subdivision. Council then approved minutes from prior meetings and accepted a proclamation recognizing Career, Technical & Agricultural Education month in Byron.

On policy actions, the council adopted Ordinance #2024-1 on second reading to amend Chapter 4 (Alcoholic Beverages) and update the number of liquor licenses tied to population bases. Council Member Alan Dorsey moved to adopt the ordinance; Council Member James Richardson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

The council also approved two related zoning resolutions. One extended a temporary moratorium on applications, zoning, permitting, development, construction and land use in C-1 (highway commercial), C-2 (central business), C-3 (general commercial/PUD) and I-1 (general industrial) districts; the extension language in the record references continuation through April 30, 2024. Separately, council adopted a temporary moratorium on new development in residential zones (A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-PUD and R-MH) within city limits until April 30, 2024. Both motions were made and seconded on the floor and recorded as unanimous.

On intergovernmental and administrative matters, the council authorized the Mayor to execute an agreement with the City of Warner Robins and the Houston County Detention Center for inmate housing; the resolution was placed on file with the City Clerk. The Mayor was also authorized to sign an Audit Engagement Letter with Mauldin & Jenkins, Certified Public Accountants, to perform the city’s 2023 audit.

Council approved routine property actions on the consent docket, including a covenant to annex property at 1465 Kay Road at the request of Natalie White to obtain water service, and acceptance of a conveyance for property at 405 Boy Scout Road (Parcel B01B 110). Both motions were recorded as unanimous.

The council approved a lease authorizing the city to rent Conference Room B in the Municipal Complex to Heart of Georgia Community Action, Inc. to operate a Senior Center 250 days a year at $400 per month; the motion was unanimous.

The meeting moved into a closed session at 6:24 p.m. under O.C.G.A. 50-14-2 to discuss a real estate matter, then returned to open session at 6:39 p.m. and immediately adjourned.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance #2024-1 (adopted; motion by Alan Dorsey, second James Richardson) — unanimous; Covenant to annex for 1465 Kay Road (approved; motion by Chris Hodges, second Alan Dorsey) — unanimous; Conveyance of 405 Boy Scout Road (approved; motion by Chris Hodges, second Alan Dorsey) — unanimous; Inmate housing agreement resolution (approved; motion by Michael Chumbley, second Chris Hodges) — unanimous; Temporary moratoriums on commercial/industrial and residential development (approved; motions by Chris Hodges) — unanimous; Senior Center lease with Heart of Georgia Community Action, Inc. (approved; motion recorded) — unanimous; Audit engagement with Mauldin & Jenkins (authorized) — unanimous.

The council’s actions affect development approvals and city operations in the near term; the moratoriums and the adopted ordinance will remain on the city’s calendar and staff were authorized to execute the listed agreements.