Citizens Comment on R-2 Zoning Option

Citizen comments at Monday’s regular meeting of the Jasper County Commission that was held in front of a standing room only crowd in the main Courtroom took more than an hour, with the vast majority being people expressing their displeasure with R-2 zoning. However, there were a few people in favor of the R-2 zoning.

In November 2022, Planning & Zoning presented a revised code of ordinances to the commissioners, after many meetings and a nine-month moratorium on subdivisions. After the Commission had reviewed what the P&Z board brought, District 4 Commissioner Gerald Stunkel suggested the commissioners keep R-2 zoning with changes, which the P&Z Board had voted to do away with. The motion passed 3-2 with Commissioners Stunkel, Don Jernigan and Sheila Jones voting to keep R-2 which allows smaller lot sizes and smaller house sizes than R-1.

P&Z had recommended to do away with R-2 and R-1, and lump it all into R-residential zoning.

Since the change was voted on, numerous people have expressed their displeasure and several people Monday said the vote was illegal and unethical. When the public hearings were held on the new zoning ordinances, there was no mention of keeping R-2, so people did not have the opportunity to voice their opinions before the change was made. And the commission appears split with Commissioners Bruce Henry and Steven Ledford being against the R-2 zoning, and the other three approving it.

More than 20 people spoke at the meeting, and Mary Patrick, chairman of the Taxpayers’ Watchdog Group (TWG) spoke to the Code of Ethics that elected officials are supposed to adhere to. She quoted Ga. Code Section 45-10-3 with emphases on 9–Never take any official action with regard to any matter under circumstances in which he knows or should know that he has a direct or indirect monetary interest in the subject matter of such matter or in the outcome of such official action.

She said that Mr. Stunkel having gotten his real estate license near the time the proposed the R-2 zoning is a conflict of interest. She also quoted the Board of Commissioners’ handbook. Several other speakers also referred to Mr. Stunkel’s conflict of interest.

Others spoke just to the R-2 zoning with the emphasis being the people here all fled Rockdale, Newton and Henry counties, and they don’t want Jasper to be overrun.

At the beginning of the meeting Commission Chair Bruce Henry warned against outbursts and said anyone being disrespectful would be escorted out by a deputy. The crowd did erupt in applause several times, and Mr. Henry gaveled them down.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the first one of the new year, District 3 Commissioner Don Jernigan was elected chairman, and District 1 Commissioner Sheila Jones was elected vice-chairman. The 3-2 vote was a bit contentious. When the agenda item arose, District 5 Commissioner Steven Ledford nominated Bruce Henry to remain chairman, and Mr. Henry seconded the motion. They voted and Commissioners Henry and Ledford voted for Mr. Henry to remain chair, and the other three commissioners did not vote.

Then Sheila Jones nominated Don Jernigan to be chair, and Mr. Jernigan seconded the motion. They voted again, and Commissioner Stunkel joined Ms. Jones and Mr. Jernigan in voting for him, while Commissioners Henry and Ledford voted against the motion.

After that, Commissioner Jernigan took over the meeting, and David Ozburn was re-appointed County Attorney, and Sharon Robinson was re-appointed County Clerk.

The board held a public hearing on the process for Minor Plat Subdivision, approving the process of allowing the P&Z Director approve minor plat subdivisions. That means if a piece of property is divided into three or less plats, the Director can approve it. If a property is being divided into four or more plats, it must go through the subdivision process. Once it is divided into three plats, it cannot again be divided for at least 24 months.

Then the commission discussed the R-2 zoning. Chairman Jernigan had County Manager Mike Benton relate what he had learned yesterday about septic tanks and wells. Messrs. Jernigan and Benton met with David Mercer at the health department, and he said a property needs at least an acre to handle a well and septic tank, with 150 feet minimum width. If there is public water, a half acre is needed for the septic tank.

Chairman Jernigan proposed a 90-day moratorium on the R-2 zoning until the commissioners could do more homework. That vote passed with four voting in favor, and Commissioner Stunkel not voting. After that vote, many of the spectators left the meeting.

Commissioners continued with business voting to take the low bid of $46,706 to crack seal much of Post Road, hoping to buy 10 more years on the paving job done over the past several years.

Commissioners voted to have a call for election in March 2023 to extend the current one percent special purpose local option sales tax. The current tax does not end until the following year, when the new one would begin, but commissioners have determined the best time to vote on that is this year. It assures no lapse in collections if it passes. The SPLOST projects are outlined by each of the cities—Monticello and Shady Dale, and the county has said it will use all SPLOST proceeds for road improvements.

Brenda Jacobs with the Senior Center shared information she had gained on repairing the center’s 2009 van. The repairs total some $6,020 if Public Works does the repairs, and $9,220 if the work is bid out. Commissioner Ledford pointed out the van is only worth less than $5,000. Mrs. Jacobs said the 2016 van is not ideal for transporting the seniors. After much discussion, commissioners told Mrs. Jacobs to get prices on a used van that would be what she needs.

Commissioners discussed the Recreation Board revised bylaws, but found a couple of mistakes in the typed copy, and therefore tabled any action.

The commissioners tentatively scheduled a work session for Friday, Jan. 20, at 9 a.m. to discuss impact fees, and the Capital Improvement Element (CIE) of the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Jones had to check her calendar, but the other commissioners indicated they could make it. It could be moved to January 27, if Ms. Jones has a conflict.

Mr. Benton reviewed the number of building permits for the last two years, and then the meeting was adjourned.