Commissioners Say No to Growth with Comprehensive Plan
The Jasper County Commissioners had a late start to their called meeting last Friday, and were challenged by Mary Patrick, who said that the Comprehensive Plan is “supposed to be our plan, not some bureaucrats plan.”
The commissioners went through the Comprehensive Plan, looking at several points. New District 4 Commissioner Asher Gray recommended making all the gateways into the county protected, not just the ones on the Scenic Byways. Therefore, development along the gateway corridors could have to have buffers, especially if it is industrial development. Commissioner Gray complained that the municipalities and county have not sat down together and agreed on a plan.
Bill Nash spoke during Citizen Comments, and suggested that the requirements for development along the Gateway Corridors be monitored, and to keep that in the Comprehensive Plan. David Thompson also spoke on the plan, saying it should be what the people here want. He said there were things in the plan that the people are against.
Most of the changes made Friday were to assure that growth is limited. The commissioners went through many of the line items in the 100+ page document. At one point, Commission Chair Don Jernigan questioned the other three present about wanting no growth of any type, as each change was developed to limit any type of growth. Commissioner Shelia Jones was absent.
Mr. Benton explained that the plan is a Joint Comprehensive Plan with Monticello and Shady Dale. Some items pertain only to the municipalities. Both municipalities have approved the plan, but since the county has not, all three are considered not in compliance, and therefore they are not “qualified local governments,” and don’t qualify for certain grants. The commissioners reviewed the whole plan during Friday’s meeting, and appeared content with its outcome once changes were made. It will take the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission a week or so to put the changes in and transmit it back to the county to approve before sending to the state. Then the state has to sign off on it, and send it back. It could be two months before the process is complete.
The meeting started at 9:12 a.m., rather than 9 a.m., because the agenda was not posted until 9:12 a.m. on Thursday, so County Manager Mike Benton said the meeting would start at 9:12 to be legal. Ms. Patrick chastised Mr. Benton that the agenda was not posted on time. Later in the meeting, Commissioner Gray said he thought they should set a policy of cutting off the agenda five days in advance, and getting it out. If things are added, then a new agenda could be produced.
Later in the meeting, Mr. Benton announced that Shelia Belcher has been named Human Resources director. Mr. Benton said she would also do the clerk’s duties, although the commission may not officially name her county clerk until January. He also reported he had interviewed two people for the Planning & Zoning Director position, and he has two more to interview.
Mr. Nash gave an update on the Jasper County Community Food Bank. He told commissioners about the struggles of the Food Bank. He said the bids had been received, and they were much higher than anticipated. The organizers have been re-grouping, and they have applied for other grants to help offset the expense. The county procured a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Food Bank, and the land has been purchased, and clearing has begun. But, estimates for the building itself are quite high. They hope to hear about the additional grant soon.
