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Cordele commission votes to dissolve Board of Zoning Appeals over objections from board vice chair
Summary
After a public hearing that drew testimony from the zoning board’s vice chair, the Cordele City Commission approved a second-reading ordinance to repeal the code section establishing the Board of Zoning Appeals and transfer appeals authority to the mayor and commission. The motion passed with one dissenting vote.
The Cordele City Commission voted Thursday to repeal the municipal code provision creating the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), shifting final authority on zoning appeals to the mayor and city commissioners.
The decision came after a public hearing in which Ronald Michael, who identified himself as vice chairman of the BZA, urged the commission not to dissolve the board. “We were appointed by this board,” Michael said, describing the panel’s work visiting properties and weighing how proposals affect the community. He told commissioners the board’s local knowledge helps protect neighborhoods from outside developers’ plans.
Planning staff told the commission the Planning Commission considered dissolving the BZA at a July 16 meeting but voted not to move forward, citing questions about how the BZA is formed and concerns that the commission already carries a heavy workload. City attorney Coleman provided legal context during the hearing, explaining the BZA’s statutory origins and the options available to the commission.
After debate, commissioners conducted a second reading of an ordinance repealing section 10-10 of the zoning code to eliminate the BZA and grant the mayor and city council the authority to hear zoning appeals. The motion passed by voice vote with one nay recorded.
Commissioners and staff said the change is intended to consolidate decision-making authority, though opponents warned it would strip an independent appeals forum that includes community-appointed members. The planning commission’s prior recommendation against dissolution was raised repeatedly during public comment.
What’s next: The ordinance took effect after the second reading vote. Appeals that previously would have gone to the BZA will now be heard by the mayor and commission under the revised code. Several commissioners said staff should develop procedures and timelines for hearing future appeals under the new arrangement.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance repealing Board of Zoning Appeals (2nd reading): Approved; recorded vote — 4 yes, 1 no. - Other procedural approvals that evening included: appointment to the Downtown Development Authority and an event permit for Aug. 2, both approved by voice vote.
The commission adjourned following an executive-session motion on property acquisition and personnel matters.
