Commission Considers Zoning Changes, More
The Jasper County Commission in a three hour long meeting Monday night denied one rezoning request and tabled another before approving three land splits, and there was some contention in the discussions.
Jessica Abercrombie was looking to rezone .92 acres from agricultural to C-2 General Commercial for a used car lot. The location is adjacent to Tyson’s Country Store on Hwy. 11 north, in an area that has been used as commercial for many years, although it is still zoned agricultural.
A number of people spoke in favor of the business locating there, and the commissioners discussed it at length. Commissioner Asher Gray said since the lot is only .92 acres it doesn’t qualify for commercial zoning. The minimum lot size for C-2, the requested zoning, is 1.2 acres. After much discussion, and input from the county attorney, commissioners tabled any action on the rezoning pending the attorney and planning and zoning director trying to work it out with the applicant. The Planning & Zoning Board had recommended approval with a 3-2 vote.
Another rezoning request from agricultural to C-2 was brought by Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Pruett III. They own five acres adjacent to Larry’s 4-Way on Hwy. 212 west. The couple had 48 acres in conservation and withdrew the covenant from five acres so it could be developed.
They wanted to change the zoning so it could be used as commercial property.
Commissioners voted not to allow the zoning change, as they want to know what commercial endeavor would be coming. The P&Z Board recommended approval 3-2.
The other three P&Z items were land divisions. Greg Mills has acreage between Bethel Church Road and New Bethel Grove Church Road at Hwy. 11. He has acreage with two parcels, but wanted three more so he and his wife, as well as their four children each have a homesite. The division was approved.
Another land division was approved after some discussion. Chad Tyler made the presentation about dividing 53.3 acres zoned residential on Conley Ditch Road into eight parcels. Two of the parcels do not have five acres in Jasper County, but do have a total of five acres across Jasper and Newton Counties. After some discussion about the two county parcels, commissioners approved the land division.
The last land division was 55.75 acres on Post Road, Zoned AG, to be divided into two tracts. That passed with little discussion.
Another item that took some time was approval of short term rental licenses. The fire marshal, building inspector and health department completed inspections of each property. The properties were each evaluated for how many people could stay there. Each applicant had minor issues and were given 30 days to get them corrected. The county approved most of the licenses contingent upon the deficiencies being corrected.
Action on properties on Landers Way was tabled as the owner wasn’t available. One took much discussion as it was not a short term rental at the time of the moratorium on short term rentals. However, work had begun on the residence to make it suitable for a short term rental. After some discussion, commissioners approved the property. While each of these was considered, District 4 Commissioner Gray made the motion for each and Shelia Pounds seconded them.
Early in the meeting, the commissioners recognized the 4-H’ers who excelled in the 2024 program year. They ranged from elementary school to high school students.
Then the commissioners heard from animal control staffers, who told how good everything is doing./ They said that they have new inside/outside kennels, new fencing and support beams and insulation. All the damage from the storm has been repaired. They said they had taken in 318 animals this year, thus far. And, only one animal—a cat—has been euthanized. They said there ae animals available for adoption, and said most go to rescue services.
Commissioners approve the purchase of a new ambulance at a cost of $330,000. It is a new ambulance to be placed at Station 7, which will be built out to house a third ambulance. They also agreed to purchase a new tanker for $421,000, and approved $64,622 for turnout gear. They had approved the amounts in the budget in July, and now they are moving forward with the purchase.
County Manager Mike Benton said that the state had sent documentation of what the county will get on the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) which is $664,000. The local required match is $198,000, for a total budget for LMIG projects being $862,000. They learned that the state allowed $801,261 for Local Road Assistance funds to be paid to Matthews for work on County Line Road, Whippoorwill and Campbell Cross Road, with the remainder of the $1,067,000 coming from the Special Purpose Local Option sales Tax in the amount of $206,000.
In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:
Voted to change the 911 authority to a seven-member board.
Re-appointed Wanda Cummings and Commissioner Steven Ledford to the Jasper County Water and Sewerage Authority.
Named Chairman Bruce Henry to the Joint Development Authority (JDA) .
Approved the 2022 Capital Improvement Element and learned much work remains to be done on the 2024 one. The commissioners will meet Monday, Sept. 16, in a work session to discuss that and other items.
Went into closed session to discuss personnel.
