P&Z Approves Rezoning
The Jasper County Planning & Zoning Commission during its regular meeting last week, approved the rezoning of 14.48 acres located at the corner of Hwy. 16 West and Brazey Road from agriculture to commercial.
The opening statement on the proposal, by P&Z Director Chris Anderson, indicated the proposal was to zone the property for potential businesses on two acre lots with five to six potential tenants.
The owner of the property, Michael Crews, told the board he had bought the property with the intent to use as commercial and doing so was in everybody’s interest because of the need to bring in taxpayers to the county.
He added he has been approached by Ace Hardware and ALCO Stores, Inc., which is a regional retailer that specializes in offering a wide variety of products at reasonable prices to smaller under served hometown communities; according to Mr. Crews, “similar to a small Walmart.”
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Before the vote to recommend approval, board members asked questions and discussed several ramifications of the proposal. Lee Holman asked Mr. Crews if he would be willing to follow the county’s architectural requirements. Mr. Crews responded in the affirmative and indicated it was in his own best interest to have good tenants, especially the first one, otherwise, it would diminish the value of the remainder of his property.
After one homeowner adjacent to the property expressed concerns about seeing dumpster’s and junk from her window, board member Joe Lewis inquired of the applicant on how any business would affect adjacent homeowners. Mr. Crews assured the board he would have a tree buffer on Brazey Road and fences where necessary.
When the homeowner asked if something would be in writing to this effect, board member Justin Owens explained that the architectural guidelines would be in writing and would be a written guarantee they would stipulate the use of attractive materials and proper landscaping.
The existing traffic and the additional these business would surely bring was also a topic of discussion. Director Anderson suggested asking the county commission to write a letter to the Department of Transportation outlining suggested change in speed limits and additional lanes of traffic.
At this point Mr. Lewis made the motion to approve the application with the restrictions that architectural guidelines be followed, a tree buffer be placed on Brazey Road, all dumpsters be in back of businesses, and no adult entertainment businesses to be allowed. Mr. Owens seconded the motion, it was passed unanimously and will go before the board of commissioners on the meeting scheduled for April 7.
The P&Z Board makes zoning recommendations, but it is up to the county commission to act on those recommendations.
Before the meeting adjourned the board reappointed Debby Dammann as chairman and Lee Holman as vice chairman.
