The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a variance request for the proposed Parker’s Kitchen at the intersection of Washington Road and Bobby Jones Expressway.
The applicant was seeking to reduce or remove the structural buffer and separation requirements along shared lot lines with residentially zoned property. Commissioners approved the variance request, but prior to approval there was a lengthy discussion about the third access point along Caribe Drive.
Residents who live in the area surrounding the location asked commissioners if there was anything that could be done about the Caribe Drive entrance, citing concerns about an increase in litter and traffic from people using the surrounding neighborhood as a cut through.
Parker’s Kitchen will add clearance bars at this entrance to prevent larger vehicles, such as box trucks and tractor trailers ,from coming in this entrance. There was talk of making this entrance a right in, right out entrance as well. There was also discussion about putting in a speed hump, which the Parker’s representative said they would pay for. It was ultimately asked that the developer work with the county on ideas to help with the traffic at that entrance.
In other business, the applicant with a rezoning request for a solar farm on Columbia Road asked commissioners to withdraw the request without prejudice. Commissioners approved the request.
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Public comments
During public comment, Karin Parham, CEO of Freedom to Read Coalition of Columbia County, with concerns about the county’s public assembly application process, mostly when it comes to peaceful political demonstrations
“Right now, the same application is used for events like parades and street fairs,” Parham said. “But our demonstrations have never blocked roads or pedestrian traffic. We’ve all been careful to remain respectful of public spaces during demonstrations. Technically waving signs on a sidewalk does not require a permit, but we’ve gone through the process anyway in good faith. At our last event we set up a small canopy to serve as a command station with basics like water and a first aid kit. It’s a safety measure, especially considering the wide range of ages and abilities in our group.”
Parham said the main concern was with the insurance minimums tied to the application.
“(It’s) $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate,” Parham said. “For a small group of people waving signs, this feels excessive. The ACLU of Georgia agrees. They’ve told us that high insurance minimums like these create a high premium, which deters individuals and organizations from apply9ing for a permit. I’m not saying that’s the intent of this policy, but it is the effect. The ACLU also said many smaller municipalities, especially those without a history of political demonstrations, are still working out how to apply these types of policies without burdening free speech. They advise that they’re addressing this issue statewide.”
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Parham also express concern over what she said were reports that library staff were told to call law enforcement if someone at the protest brought signs into the building when they used the bathroom. She said if those reports are correct, that’s disappointing and asked if there was a policy or regulation stating signs were not allowed in the library.
She also said her group is not extremists and most involved are retired teachers, community volunteers, parents and veterans, all people who care about the library. Parham added they have received online threats and asked if a deputy could be present at the Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library Board meetings and regular Columbia County Library Board meetings.
“We’ve been called pedophiles and groomers,” Parham said. “One individual called all LGBTQ people and their allies, they said they should go through the woodchipper. Another mentioned death by fire squad…it’s difficult to ascertain the seriousness of online threats, however we will not back down from exercising our rights because of online bullying. That said, we would feel more comfortable if a deputy were present at future regional and library board meetings. I don’t make that request lightly, I understand that’s a burden on law enforcement. But it would put many of our members at ease and serve as deterrent to anyone thinking of acting on those online threats in real life. It takes one lone wolf to create a deadly situation, and I don’t think anyone wants that in our community.”
During his public comments, Howard Johnson asked commissioners to ask the Columbia County representatives to vote to repeal the guidelines for placement of Columbia County library books at the Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library Board meeting on Thursday, June 19.
