Commission presses for stronger oversight after unauthorized construction and driveway dispute

County Engineer Justin Barfield told the Geneva County Commission that rapid subdivision growth has created compliance challenges, citing the Lucy Lane subdivision and a mobile home park on County Road 68. Barfield said the Lucy Lane developer began construction prior to final approval, was told to cease work, resumed, and was again ordered to stop; Barfield said the final plat has now been received and the permit may be issued.

Barfield described a separate incident at the County Road 68 mobile home park where crews installed driveway pipes, "the developer dug up one driveway pipe and moved it without a meeting to discuss or a permit," and the Commission agreed to charge the developer for the original installation and the reinstallation (motion by Commissioner Jeff Hatcher; vote 3-0). The minutes record Barfield proposing the county retain a licensed inspector with authority to issue fines and citations and suggested the Operations Manager be designated as inspector; Commissioner Hatcher asked Barfield to create a job description for the proposed building permit/inspector role.

Commissioners and staff also expressed concern about unlicensed home builders and about construction in flood zones that EMA Director Brian Smith said was often unknown to emergency management until after work began. The Commission did not adopt an ordinance at this meeting but directed staff to prepare a job description and examine permit procedures and enforcement options.