Columbia County | Development and Planning Services Committee Meeting (November 10th)
Columbia County committee meetings on Nov. 10, 2026 covered appointments, contract renewals (probation, employee dental and health), a proposed moratorium on new data center zoning applications, capital purchases and software maintenance, and several planning variances and easement approvals. Committees generally moved routine items by consent; the proposed data-center moratorium was deferred to the next committee meeting.
Discussion Points
•Citizen concerns about additional data center applications; staff recommended a pause to draft code amendments; timeline discussed (365 days).
•Committee considered referral to CES and PWS on Nov. 24; commission meeting on Dec. 1 noted.
•Encore Hall opening timeline (early spring 2027); fee schedule Exhibit A introduced; FF&E bid and budget/bid completeness discussed.
•Initial proposed administrative increase (~46%) reduced after negotiation; heavy influence from high-cost claims and market provider rate alignment; pharmacy rebates of $4 million help offset costs.
•Length of contract and renewal options; whether all courts use CSRA.
•Nomination presented as Chairman Duncan's appointment; staff recommended approval.
•Rationale for two-year agreement to avoid repeated annual increases; percentage split (employees 25%, county 75%).
•Staff reported completion of negotiation with Harlem and Grovetown and no substantive changes from prior agreement.
•Technical measurements: wall height (under 30 inches) for Glenwood Drive; stream drain easement details at Town Park Boulevard; ancillary dwelling 'under roof' calculations pushing properties over 1,800 sq ft.
•UPS purchase to replace building-original equipment (life ~15 years); Clarity implementation timeline (countywide Q2 next year) and payment amount; shift of Tyler Munis billing cycle to align with fiscal year.
Decisions
•Appointment approved by committee (moved by consent).
•Contract authority approved by committee (moved by consent).
•Dental renewal approved by consent.
•FF&E recommendation moved by consent; fee schedule sent to debate.
•Items moved and approved by consent.
•Items moved by consent and authorized for staff action.
•No moratorium adopted at this meeting; motion to move item to Nov. 24 was withdrawn.
•Proceed with renewal/negotiation; moved by consent.
•Resolution moved by consent; cities to consider at council meetings.
Directions
•Execute DCA Form Four certification and obtain chairman's signature.
•Finalize negotiated terms with UnitedHealthcare and implement renewal subject to budget.
•Item approved by consent; proceed to any required formal appointment paperwork.
•Proceed with contract execution per judge's request.
•Proceed with permitting and any compliance steps per staff's recommendation.
•Proceed with procurement and contract amendments per staff recommendations.
•Proceed with two-year contract renewal and budget for county share of increase.
•Refer fee schedule to debate for review; proceed with FF&E procurement with Weinberger's as recommended.
•Staff to draft text amendment to Chapter 90 and prepare materials for next committee meeting if directed.
The County Compass | Episode 33: The Next Chapter: A Conversation with Alison Couch
County Manager Scott Johnson interviews incoming Columbia County chair Allison Couch about her priorities: property tax relief, ending new data centers, transparency including NDAs, infrastructure projects, and the transition to new county leadership.
Discussion Points
•Couch’s campaign length and intensity
•Couch’s plan to engage incoming commissioners and staff in transition
•Couch’s role in drafting stricter ordinance language
•Importance of unity and transition planning
•Johnson’s retirement and new county manager appointment
•Need for GDOT coordination and varied funding sources
•Need for property tax relief cited by residents
•Property tax relief remains top constituent concern
•Role of data centers in delivering tax relief
•Roundabouts and road widenings planned in District 4
•Three new parks planned including a 170-acre park near Exit 183
•Timing of release from NDA and notifying public
•Use of NDA to obtain project information
Directions
•Advocate and coordinate with GDOT for state-route projects
•Couch will build relationships with incoming commissioners and staff during the first 30–60 days
•Couch will prioritize relationship-building during first 30–60 days
Columbia County Planning Commission reviewed several land-use requests including two provisional home occupations (egg sales and e-commerce), rezoning for a proposed church, and multiple setback/buffer variances; the commission unanimously recommended approval of all items and will forward rezoning to the County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 17, 2026.
Discussion Points
•Applicant indicated a possible bank tenant on one end of the building.
•Applicant said he had beautified two businesses operating in the area.
•Conditions required before final site-plan approval (sewage and plat).
•Door was installed without permits but visually integrates with the site, and staff recommended approval with a condition limiting relief to the shown doors.
•Fire department concerns about 360-degree access and planting restrictions on the slope were noted.
•Staff confirmed applicants met ordinance requirements and described scope (on-site and mobile services).
•Staff described an existing unpermitted building approximately 6,000 sq.ft. that does not meet setback/buffer distances (approx. 22–23 ft measured).
•Staff emphasized corner-lot constraints in the overlay and the need to remove the maximum setback to accommodate the redesign.
•Staff explained that e-commerce operations have no customer traffic and that employee trips should remain under the 12-trip-per-day limit for home occupations.
•Staff identified lack of sewer and need for septic system and soils surveys.
•Staff noted the lot is zoned R4 where poultry for commercial sale is limited but provisional home occupations have been used to allow scaled sales.
•Staff recommended conditions to mitigate residential impacts.
•Staff said 120 chickens is much smaller than commercial poultry (e.g., 10,000 birds) and recommended approval.
•Traffic implications (possible deceleration/turn lanes) remain to be determined.
Decisions
•Commission approved recommendation with the stated condition.
•Commission recommended approval to the Board with stated conditions.
•Commission recommended conditional approval; owner committed to enhancing buffering and maintenance.
•Commission voted to approve both massage-operator licenses.
•Commission voted to recommend approval; final action goes to Board of Commissioners Nov. 17, 2026.
•Motion to recommend approval carried.
•Recommendation to approve forwarded to Board of Commissioners.
Directions
•Applicant must provide soils/site-sewage documentation and file the plat prior to approved site plan.
2026.11.05 Columbia County Planning Commission Meeting
The Columbia County Planning Commission met Nov. 5, 2026, and approved routine licenses and multiple land-use items including two provisional home occupations, a rezoning for a proposed church, and three variances/variations; all recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final action on Nov. 17, 2026.
Discussion Points
•Applicant: explained building changes forced the site to fall outside the setback envelope.
•Applicant: John Walters presented no additional details for the record.
•Applicant: no additional technical comments; personal motivation emphasized.
•Applicant: said he has beautified the site and requested approval.
•Commissioners: asked about restroom and septic placement and soil-percolation suitability.
•No public opposition was presented during the hearing.
•Owner: acknowledged internal communication problems and committed to landscaping and maintenance plans to meet conditions.
•Staff: building constructed without permits; does not meet setback and buffer requirements (approx. 22–23 ft).
•Staff: described site layout, building sizes (~16,000 sq ft church; ~25,000 sq ft education/gym), parking (~128 spaces), and highlighted septic/soil requirements.
•Staff: door was installed without permits but appears to blend with the site; precedent exists for similar doors in overlay district.
•Staff: e-commerce use, no customer traffic, request to allow small number of employees on site; trip-limit guidance reiterated.
•Staff: property zoned R4 where poultry for commercial sale are limited; 120 chickens cited as modest scale.
•Staff: setback conflict on corner lots in Evanstown Center; recommended removal of maximum setback.
•Staff summarized both applications and affirmed compliance with ordinance.
Decisions
•Approved both massage operator licenses; recommendation forwarded to applicable permitting processes.
•Recommend approval to Board of Commissioners.
•Recommend approval with conditions.
•Recommend approval with conditions to Board of Commissioners.
•Recommend rezoning to Board of Commissioners with stated conditions.
Directions
•Limit variation to overhead doors shown; require prior approval for future installations.
•Require level-3 soil survey and site-plat documentation prior to final site-plan approval.
•Require specified fencing and landscaping/lighting conditions to mitigate residential impact.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners met Nov. 3, 2026. Commissioners approved minutes and consent items, heard a presentation announcing a new state veterans cemetery and a Nov. 13 groundbreaking, authorized staff to begin code changes to comply with House Bill 155, approved zoning and variance requests, heard public complaints about event parking, approved a one-time 3% merit payment for eligible employees, and nominated Matt Schlochter as sole finalist for county manager.
Discussion Points
•Applicant requested a waiver to allow 24-hour operation; code allows the store use but limits hours to 6 a.m.–11 p.m.
•Board will vote on Nov. 17; contract negotiations will occur before voting.
•Commissioners asked for plain-language staff materials and questioned how annexation appeals and notification windows are affected.
•Deputies had been called; sheriff planned to check signage and monitor the area.
•Deputy County Manager Matt Schlochter was nominated as sole finalist; he has 21 years of county service and experience in operations and planning.
•Groundbreaking scheduled Nov. 13; first interment expected summer 2028; dedication likely Memorial Day weekend 2028.
•House Bill 155 requires changes to county ordinance; some provisions were effective in 2025 but the county's code changes must be adopted by Jan. 1, 2027.
•Merit payments are annual and tied to evaluations; only eligible employees (per spreadsheet) receive the 3% one-time award.
•Parcel rezoned from split P1/C2 to all P1 to permit expansion.
•Requested setback reductions: 10-foot, five-foot, and reduction to a 50-foot southern setback; agreement to replace privacy fence with neighbor.
•Resident reported overflow parking from Augusta Cheer Academy impacted Bellwood Drive: blocking hydrants, damaging meters, and posing safety concerns.
•Some employees are not eligible due to short tenure or insufficient evaluation scores.
•The applicant had requested a postponement previously.
•The cemetery will be located behind Gracewood Hospital on more than 200 acres.
•The VA committed $13.6M toward construction and $2M for pre-burial vaults; state agency will own and operate the cemetery.
Decisions
•Board approved one-time 3% merit payment for eligible employees.
•Board authorized staff to initiate the code amendment process.
•No formal board action; enforcement to proceed through sheriff's office.
2026.11.03 Columbia County Board of Commissioners Meeting
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners met Nov. 3, 2026. The meeting included an announcement and presentation about a new State Veterans Cemetery near Gracewood Hospital with a groundbreaking scheduled Nov. 13; initiation of a code amendment process to comply with state House Bill 155; approval and denial votes on land-use requests (a denied 24-hour operation variance and approvals for a rezoning and companion variance); public comments about parking and safety tied to Augusta Cheer Academy; and personnel actions including a one-time 3% merit payment for eligible employees and naming Matt Schlachter as sole finalist for county manager.
Discussion Points
•Applicant agreed mitigation with neighboring property; staff recommended approval.
A short Columbia County traffic update announced that Furies Ferry Road construction is in its final stages: paving is complete and traffic shifted to the permanent route, with remaining drainage and pavement markings expected to finish by Thanksgiving (weather permitting) and landscaping by year-end.
Discussion Points
•County engineers project completion of remaining items by Thanksgiving, weather permitting; landscaping by year-end.
•Paving finished and traffic shifted to permanent route.
•Remaining work includes drainage, pavement markings, and punch-list items.
Columbia County public information segment explaining stormwater operations, planned and emergency pipe repairs, lining projects, and how residents can report issues via 311.
Discussion Points
•Completed and upcoming neighborhood lining projects (Butterfield Court, Marshall Place).
•Example emergency repairs (sinkholes) and their prioritization over smaller projects.
•Notification procedures, temporary easements, and homeowner meetings for projects.
•Overview of maintenance responsibilities and inspection-driven planned repairs.
•Use of UV lining no-dig method at Marshall Place to reduce homeowner impact.
Building Columbia County | Savannah Rapids Pavilion: Part 2
Columbia County released a recorded progress report on renovations at SRP. Staff said demolition is nearly complete and work will continue over the next year to rebuild interiors, add accessibility features and site amenities funded through SPLOST and a public facilities bond.
Discussion Points
•Addition of elevator and handicapped parking to improve access
•A hurricane expedited the timeline; work nearly two years with ~one year remaining
•Deck will be revitalized and enlarged with a covered pre-function area
•Demolition nearly finished and interior rebuilding underway
•Electronic partitions to enable multiple smaller meetings
•Engineered floor added for acoustical reasons
•Loading dock demolished; work around retaining wall for a future water feature
•New building systems (electrical, HVAC, fire systems) being installed
•New HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems being installed
•Project planned in SPLOST and bonded through a public facilities authority
•Windows, doors and skylights are pending delivery
2026.10.27 Columbia County Board of Commissioners Public Works & Engineer Services Committee Meeting
Public Works & Engineering Services committee met to approve consent items, review flood mitigation and community rating system recertification (maintaining a 20% flood-insurance discount), consider multiple water/sewer contracts and equipment purchases, ratify an emergency shoring payment, and open public hearings on abandoning portions of Crawford Place Lane.
Discussion Points
•A landowner (Eubank) confirmed an agreement with the school district to repurchase old school site and right-of-way to consolidate parcels.
•Athena selected after interviews; will coordinate concepts with SPLOST funding.
•Clarification that private means water utility doesn't own currently; county will reassign line codes for maintenance.
•Contractor prefers boring under heavy-traffic areas increasing cost.
•Contractor used sheet piles; subcontractor engaged due to lack of local specialty firms.
•County advanced to next grant round and would be eligible for 50% funding if accepted.
•County management recommended evaluating conversion to green space after bidding results.
•Environmental study requirement exceeded county capacity; contract proposed for $9,705.
•Estimated engineer fee and 7% proposed.
•Examples of corroded CMP pipes and sinkholes found during inspections.
•Failed wing wall exposed a 10-inch water main and utilities; shoring chosen to protect corridor.
•Larger private service lines (1.5 and 2-inch) not in plans increased costs.
•Private lift stations failing; county proposes a public lift station and looped waterline.
•Project aims to improve capacity and beautify corridors connecting the intersections.
•Property part of Flowing Wells widening purchased with TIA funds.
•Staff estimated a potential $1,000,000+ repair cost if the main failed.
•Staff highlighted vac-truck work clearing root masses and the practice of leaving sites improved after repair.
•Staff noted the CRS program is voluntary and awards points for proactive county activities.
•Staff outlined targeted outreach to military, Spanish-speaking and vulnerable residents and repetitive-loss properties.
•Takeuchi purchase via HGAC with price checks; crawler dumper is 18 years old and to be surplused.
•Three separate tracts were purchased at different times and the county attorney recommended separate motions.
•Vermeer drill replacement due to lack of software support and mechanical failures; used for taps and small-line directional drilling.
•Weathered rock encountered; negotiated ripping fee instead of blasting.
Decisions
•Approved both purchases on consent
•Approved change order for $146,310 on consent
•Approved contract on consent
•Emergency shoring ratified and payment approved on consent
•Rejected bids to allow further evaluation
•Resolutions 26-25, 26-26 and 26-27 approved on consent
2026.10.27 Columbia County Board of Commissioners Community and Emergency Services Committee Meeting
The Community Emergency Services Committee of Columbia County met, approved minutes and the agenda, and took consent actions including acknowledging a financial sublease for the county hospital authority, authorizing historic-properties funds for a museum/event, accepting multiple donations for animal services, and approving a $300,000 donation from Google for technical-rescue capacity. The committee received a fire and emergency services budget report and adjourned at 08:35.
Discussion Points
•Chief described a $300,000 donation from Google intended for the county's technical rescue expansion.
•Chief said he had submitted the budget report and run reports and offered to answer questions; none were asked.
•Mister Johnson explained the 2023 development agreement and financing arrangement, and said the authority pays a one-time rent of $10.
•Mister Schlacher explained the committee bylaws and requested authorization to spend funds it raised (about $7,570.74) for museum setup and an event.
•Staff listed donations and specified the $885 donation would cover adoption fees for animals currently in the shelter.
Decisions
•Committee accepted the donation by voice consent.
•Committee accepted the donations by voice consent.
•Committee acknowledged the financial sublease by voice consent.
•Committee authorized the requested use of funds by voice consent.
•No action requested on the budget report; meeting adjourned at 08:35.
Columbia County Public Works and Engineering Services Committee met to review flood-mazard mitigation and Community Rating System recertification, consider several water and sewer contracts and equipment purchases, ratify an emergency shoring contract for Oakley Purple Road, approve SPLOST-funded intersection concept work, and finalize abandonment/resolution items for portions of Crawford Place Lane.
Discussion Points
•A joining landowner supports consolidating parcels with school property
•Athena previously interviewed and proposed attractive concepts
•Contractor proposed boring under one roadway to avoid traffic disruption
•County attorney advised processing the tracts separately because they were purchased at different times
•County management and contractor executed emergency shoring using sheet piles and subcontracted specialty work
•CRS is voluntary and awards points for proactive county activities that reduce flood risk
•Failure exposed a 10-inch water main and multiple utilities, risking major repair costs
•Furious Ferry: paving and final work expected to finish this week; intermittent closures remain
•Harlem sewer: first 30 manholes inspected; scheduled completion in December
•NRCS grant work completed stream cleanup in repetitive-loss areas
•Outreach targets newcomers, Spanish-speaking residents and vulnerable populations
•Staff seeks ratification per state law
•Staff verified equipment prices through HGAC and supplemental quotes
•Three tracts of Crawford Place Lane are no longer needed after school relocation
•Unanticipated rock and larger service lines increased costs
•Work will align with SPLOST funding and county leadership direction
Decisions
•Approve first-phase concept contract
•Items moved to consent and approved
•Ratification approved on consent
•Resolutions 26-25, 26-26 and 26-27 approved on consent
The Community Emergency Services Committee of Columbia County met to approve minutes and agenda items, acknowledged a financial sublease related to AU Medical Center and the Hospital Authority of Columbia County, authorized historic properties committee funds for a museum and event, accepted multiple donations for animal services, accepted a $300,000 Google donation for the technical rescue team, and adjourned with no executive session.
Discussion Points
•Chief described donation origin and intended use; committee expressed thanks.
•Mister Johnson explained the sublease structure and financing rationale; no substantive debate recorded.
•Mister Schlacher explained procedural requirement and requested authorization to use raised funds.
•Staff listed donors and amounts; chair commented supportively due to upcoming cold weather.
Decisions
•Board authorized spending and event permission as requested.
•Committee accepted donations on consent.
•Committee accepted the donation on consent.
•Committee acknowledged the financial sublease by consent.
Building Columbia County | Horizon South Parkway: Part 2
Columbia County's "Building Columbia County" offered a field update on the Horizon South Parkway project. Project manager Byron Sullivan said utility relocation is complete, crews are installing graded aggregate base (GABC) and curb-and-gutter, a new water line cutover is underway that may cause brief outages, and the roadway will ultimately be four lanes with left-turn and deceleration lanes plus sidewalks.
Discussion Points
•Camera location currently two lanes; project will be widened to four lanes with left-turn and deceleration lanes
•New water line installation and cutovers will temporarily interrupt service
•Paving will occur after sufficient continuous subgrade and stone are in place
•Sidewalks will be installed behind curb-and-gutter in coming weeks
•Utility relocation complete; crews installing GABC and curb-and-gutter
•Work scheduled at night where possible; affected customers are notified
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 20, 2026. The board approved several consent items including contracts for medication-assisted treatment services, denied a business-license appeal for a massage business seeking to convert to a beauty/hair service, approved a rezoning with conditions and a major site-plan revision, heard multiple public comments about a proposed regional data-center complex and privacy concerns about license-plate readers, and received an announcement that a Trader Joe's construction permit has been filed.
Discussion Points
•Commissioner Malier proposed and the board adopted an amendment requiring removal of outdoor storage within 30 days.
•Commissioners approved the request under planning commission conditions.
•Owner said she wishes to convert to facial/hair services and keep business name to avoid new tax ID.
•Public comment later praised expansion as a second-chance treatment alternative.
•Resident announced a public protest and invited commissioners to observe.
•Resident argued LPRs tie plate reads to personal identity via vehicle registration and expressed privacy concerns.
•Residents asked the board and neighbors to submit comments by Nov. 12 to the Corps of Engineers.
•Residents cited the Army Corps permit application scope, potential environmental impacts to streams and wetlands, and a scheduled blasting window.
•Staff advised that reinstating a massage business license is not appropriate and owner should apply for a different business classification.
•Staff described proposed building and setback requirements (15-foot minimum for proposed building; 125-foot for future structures).
•Staff described scope and monthly cost of MAT agreements and confirmed they align with accountability court referrals.
•Staff described stop-work order in 2025 and August 5 inspection that observed unlicensed employees and people leaving through back door.
•Staff explained the parcel's current frontage (91 feet) and need to combine parcels to meet C-1 frontage requirements.
Decisions
•Board denied request and upheld revocation of business license.
•Contracts approved via consent agenda.
•Major S-1 revision approved.
•Rezoning approved with planning commission conditions and a 30‑day deadline to remove storage.
Directions
•Applicant to follow plan-review process and comply with setbacks.
•Applicant to submit combination plat and upgrade access if retaining driveway; planning staff to verify compliance.
•Board provided no formal vote or direction on the Corps permit during the meeting.
•Execute contracts and coordinate referrals with accountability court.
•Owner may apply for a new business license class for beauty/hair services; staff noted typical 10–14 day turnaround.
•Residents instructed to submit comments by Nov. 12 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
2026.10.20 Columbia County Board of Commissioners Meeting
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 20, 2026. The board approved routine consent items including contracts for medication-assisted-treatment services, denied an appeal to reinstate a revoked business license, approved rezoning and site revisions with conditions, and heard public comments on proposed data center development and privacy concerns about license-plate readers.
Discussion Points
•Applicant said she intended to cease massage services and operate beauty/aesthetic services, preferring to retain the existing business name instead of applying for a new tax ID.
•Commissioner Malier proposed and the board adopted a 30-day deadline to remove on-site storage containers.
•Commissioners approved as part of the consent agenda without extended debate.
•Commissioners approved the revision as conditioned.
•Resident argued that LPRs track plates which are linked to personal identities and announced a protest to highlight privacy concerns.
•Speakers cited a Nov. 12 deadline to submit comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
•Speakers described the scale of the proposed data-center development and potential environmental impacts to streams, wetlands and aquifers.
•Staff described multiple code enforcement visits showing unlicensed employees and owner absence during operations.
•Staff described services as MAT consultation and clinical services for accountability court participants.
•Staff described setbacks and site changes on plans.
•Staff explained frontage deficiency and required site improvements for commercial access.
Decisions
•Contracts approved and will be implemented as described.
•Major S-1 revision approved.
•Motion carried to deny restoration of the business license and uphold revocation.
•No action taken by board during meeting.
•No board action recorded on LPRs.
•Rezoning approved with planning conditions and a 30-day removal condition.
Directions
•Applicant to comply with setback requirements and planning review.
•Applicant to submit combination plat within specified timeline and upgrade driveway to commercial access.
•Planning staff to verify compliance prior to occupancy.
•Procurement/Judicial Circuit to execute and implement contracts.
•Residents were urged to submit comments by the Corps deadline; no formal county action recorded.
•Staff advised applicant to apply for a new business license for non-massage operations and described processing timelines.
Columbia County | Board of Commissioners Meeting (October 20th)
Columbia County Board of Commissioners held its Oct. 20, 2026 meeting, approving several consent items including contracts for medication assisted treatment, denying an appeal to reinstate a massage business license, approving a rezoning with conditions and a site-plan revision, and hearing multiple public comments about proposed data-center developments and license-plate readers.
Discussion Points
•Appellant argued she would convert to non-massage services and cited difficulties transferring out-of-state licenses.
•Code enforcement described unlicensed employees observed during multiple visits.
•Conditions include no outdoor storage, site-plan upgrades for commercial drive, and a 10-foot landscape strip.
•Contracts were placed on the consent agenda after committee review.
•Controlled blasting for related site work scheduled Oct. 22–Dec. 30, weekdays between ~11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
•LPRs read plates but commenters argue plate data are linked to identity and raise privacy concerns.
•Parcel lacks required C-1 frontage (91 ft vs. 100 ft); applicant will combine adjacent parcel.
•Permit application said to cover 3,152 acres, 198 streams, 104 wetlands and three ponds and a facility footprint noted as 27,000,000 square feet.
•Speaker announced a protest to demonstrate potential privacy intrusion.
•Staff clarified licensing rules and reapplication process.
•Staff described services and billing ($1,750/month, itemized).
Decisions
•Approved contracts with Serenity and Martinez
•Approved MOU with Serenity
•Board denied reinstatement; revocation upheld.
•Rezoning approved with conditions and an added 30-day deadline to remove storage containers.
Directions
•Appellant may apply for a new business license covering hair/facial services; staff estimated a 10–14 day turnaround.
•Applicant must submit combination plat and site-plan revisions to Planning Department.
Building Columbia County | The Pollard House: Part 1
County staff announced a Pollard House renovation in Appling that will convert the historic home into an event center; construction is expected to begin next month and take about a year. Funding is from the 2328 SPLOS program and the public facilities bond.
Discussion Points
•Design phase ~1.5 years; construction expected to begin within a month and take about a year subject to weather.
•Funding cited as 2328 SPLOS program and public facilities bond; no vote taken.
•Funding identified as 2328 SPLOS program and public facilities bond but no dollar amounts given.
•Planned uses include event center, commercial kitchen, meeting rooms and outdoor pavilion.
•Project will preserve original framing and add a small rear addition and landscaping.
2026.10.15 Columbia County Planning Commission Meeting
Columbia County Planning Commission held a regular meeting to consider multiple land-use items including a rezoning withdrawal for a proposed church (to be reheard), an operator license change, a 74-lot preliminary plat, three provisional home-occupation requests, a rezoning and related variances for a dental office at 436 Furys Ferry Road; the commission recommended approvals and forwarded items for final action to the Board of Commissioners with final action noted for 2026-11-03.
Discussion Points
•Applicant was present; no public opposition recorded.
•Neighbor expressed stormwater concerns but indicated general agreement, and staff noted engineering plan will address stormwater.
•No public opposition recorded.
•No public opposition was recorded at this meeting.
•Staff confirmed the new applicant meets ordinance requirements.
•Staff described exact variance requests and buffer/setback reductions.
•Staff described the split zoning and existing dental use; additions proposed would not change use.
•Staff explained the gunsmithing business will be relocated and primarily operate via shipping.
•Staff presented lot counts, minimum and average lot sizes, sidewalks and open space.
•Staff recommended approval and commissioners voted to recommend rezoning.
•Staff recommended approval with a condition that the provisional expire if the storage parcel is sold.
•Staff reported the application expanded to ~13.8 acres and required re-advertisement.
•Storage building is on an adjacent parcel under common ownership; health department requires a base of operations for concessions.
Decisions
•Applicant change approved.
•Commission recommended approval with conditions.
•Conditional provisional home occupation approved.
•Motion to accept withdrawal carried; no final rezoning action taken.
•Preliminary plat approved and recommendation forwarded for next steps.
•Provisional home occupation approved.
•Recommend approval to Board of Commissioners.
Directions
•Engineer must submit site plan addressing screening and stormwater; replace existing fence with 6-foot privacy fence.
•Proceed with typical permitting/engineering review.
•Tie permit to parcel ownership; monitor for sale.
•Withdraw application without prejudice; rehear on Nov. 5; staff to re-advertise and notify neighbors.
The County Compass | Episode 31: Where Community Comes to Play
County Manager Scott Johnson and John Lewton, director of community services, discuss Columbia County parks and recreation: rapid youth-sports growth, field-space and volunteer challenges, park usage and maintenance, several planned parks and a new multi-sport complex, and a denial of a viral data-center rumor.
Discussion Points
•County intends to involve mountain-bike community in maintenance.
•County uses a National Youth Sports Association code of conduct and disciplines violators.
•Finalizing design for Columbia County Sports Complex in Grovetown with synthetic turf; target early‑2027 ground-breaking.
•He said only previously approved data-center zoning is in play and urged residents to consult official county channels.
•Projected >10,000 youth participants by end of 2026; 2019 baseline ~5,200; growth strains field capacity.
•Riverwood Park dedicated to Commissioner Don Skinner; steep topography made field construction costly, prompting pivot to mountain-bike trails and water features.
•Scott Johnson publicly denied a rumor that Columbia County was negotiating for 14,000 acres of data centers, calling the claim false.
•Secured ~170 acres south of I‑20 near Greenpoint for a Patriots Park–style facility including trails and indoor rec possibilities.
•System size: ~1,600 acres, 15 parks; 3,800,000 visits in 2025; Patriots Park nearly 1,000,000 visits and parking congestion noted.
•Volunteer coaches: ~1,800 reported; officials paid per game; recruitment difficulty due to behavior and national trend.
