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Board directs staff to advertise hearing on Lakeshore Drive scenic‑road designation
Summary
The board voted to proceed with notice for a County Scenic Road designation for Lakeshore Drive, accepted staff’s technical adjustment to a frontage measurement, and asked staff to explore Outstanding Florida Waters status for Newnan’s Lake, contact an affected commercial property about tree planting, and notify nearby residents.
Ken McMurray, senior planner in growth management, presented staff’s analysis of Lakeshore Drive as a candidate County Scenic Road, saying the corridor has “excellent views” of Newnan’s Lake and noting the area’s archaeological significance as the Lake Pithlachaco canoe site. He summarized the ordinance requirements, the protected 100‑foot corridor on each side of the right of way, and potential restrictions (speed limits, tree removal, overhead utilities) and listed staff’s recommendation to advertise a public hearing for the designation.
During discussion commissioners and staff debated where the scenic designation should begin and end, technical details about the 100‑foot protected area and how small existing lots could be affected, and whether to exclude certain commercial frontages. A staff technical change to the frontage measurement was proposed and accepted by the board. Commissioner(s) added staff directions to the motion to: proceed with notice for a public hearing on designation; adopt the staff-recommended adjustment to the frontage measurement; explore the possibility of an Outstanding Florida Waters designation for Newnan’s Lake; contact the adjacent commercial property about participating in a tree‑planting effort; and reach out to nearby residents about potential extension and impacts.
Residents and stakeholders spoke in favor. Longtime Lakeshore Drive resident Andriana Lisca said she has lived on the road “since 1967” and urged protection of wildlife and scenic character; other speakers including Paul Pritchard and representatives of adjacent projects offered support. The board approved the motion by voice vote; staff will include general information about potential restrictions with the public‑hearing notice and return with details for the formal hearing process.
Next step: staff will advertise a public hearing on the scenic‑road designation and report back with recommended ordinance restrictions and outreach materials.
