Rock Quarry, Other Development Discussed
The Jasper County Commission met in the upstairs small Courtroom for a work session Monday evening and there was a packed house of spectators.
Most of the people appeared to be there with concerns about a rock quarry being permitted in the south end of the county. The agenda did not specifically mention the rock quarry or mining operation, but it did mention a future land use map review, and zoning ordinance amendment process.
Because of the attendance, commissioners changed the order in which they addressed topics in the work session. They took no votes, as it was a work session.
The first item of business was a public hearing on the Capital Improvements Element and Short Term Work Program which is designed to guide the way the county will grow.
Mary Patrick spoke, saying at the last P&Z Variance board meeting the members discussed asking Planning & Zoning Director Shane Sealy to relay to you that we agreed that impact fees in Jasper County should be increased to at least match if not charge more than surrounding counties.
Additionally the board felt that Animal Control should be added and given a percentage of the impact fees—more people means more space needed for animals.
She continued stressing the need to keep Jasper County rural. “Again, I want to emphasize that our county is rural, the citizens want to keep it that way, and it is the reason people are moving here. We do not want density, more traffic, large manufacturing plants, rock quarries, or Amazon warehouses. We have a quality of life that is the envy of others, and we should keep it that way.”
Mrs. Patrick hit on several items on the comprehensive plan, encouraging commissioners to spend only where they should, and not to encourage growth.
She encouraged the commissioners to change the zoning codes to ensure the quality of life people here want.
She was the only person who spoke at the public hearing.
Commission Chairman Bruce Henry started the work session explaining the process required to make a change to the county’s ordinances. Then, he said he personally went to Planning & Zoning November 10 to request that rock quarry or mining operation be removed from the approved activities in the manufacturing zoned district. He also asked for adult entertainment to be removed as a permitted use. He explained that it will be considered by the P&Z board at its meeting December 16.
Mr. Sealy explained that for a mining operation to be approved, the property would first have to be rezoned. He said it’s a two step process. He also said that no one had requested a rezoning for that, but did say he received a phone call about a rock quarry several weeks ago.
Chairman Henry reiterated that the county is experiencing residential growth, which looks like it will continue, saying Jasper is a rural community and wants to remain so.
Commissioner Stunkel mentioned changing the minimum land requirement in residential areas. Currently the requirement is slightly less than an acre, and commissioners are talking about raising that requirement to at least one acre and possible two.
Commissioners heard from personnel at animal control about the need for a new incinerator, and were instructed to get prices and bring them to the regular meeting on December 6.
Next they heard from Michael Fleming about facility upgrades and equipment upgrades needed at the recreation department. He said they had record numbers of players for football this year, and it was really had to outfit them. He wants to order pads and helmets, and it will take four months for them to arrive.
Commissioner Don Jernigan questioned whether to go ahead with the improved dugouts or to wait until there is a plan for the multipurpose building that will be placed there as well as more fields.
One woman spoke up that the parents had been raising money for this for a year and half, and it needs to be done immediately because the dugouts are a safety concern.
The commissioners questioned if they should hire Precision Planning to do a complete site plan rather than just concentrating on the multipurpose building.
The commissioners talked about having a work session during the day on a Friday to look at the land and determine where, if anywhere, there is room to expand as more fields are needed for all sports. County manager Mike Benton assured commissioners he could have maps of the property available.
Commissioners briefly discussed three redistricting maps that have been drawn up. Maps are numbered 1, 2, and 3, and Chairman Henry suggested Map 2 was not to be considered as there is a piece in the northern corner of the county that looks like gerrymandering. Commissioner Jernigan said he liked Map 1 the most as it reflected the least amount of change while maintaining the proper population numbers.
