The Columbia County Planning Commission approved several development projects in its final meeting of the year, Thursday evening.
Planning staff had recommended approval for a planned unit development (PUD) revision at Petersburg Shoppes on Furys Ferry Road in Martinez. Architect Peter Slavovsky submitted a request to update the PUD, comprised of two parcels across over 10 acres, on behalf of the owners, T. Reddy Family Shoppes, to allow for major renovations.
The upcoming Furys Ferry Hardware store, which will include a 3,600-square foot greenhouse and 1,000 square feet of storage space, is slated for the former Final Cut location, along with indoor pickleball courts, which are to take up some 25,000 square feet.
Staff also recommended in favor of a provisional home occupation request for a two-acre parcel at 5970 Wrightsboro Road, currently zoned R-A Residential Agricultural, where property owner Patricia Essick aims to launch a pottery business.
The proposed art studio, called Bauern Malerei by Trish, would offer pottery classes three times a week for no more than six students at a time.
The commissioners voted unanimously to recommend approval for the above items, with no one in attendance speaking to oppose.
The board voted to postpone a rezoning and variance request at 5019 High Meadows Drive in Grovetown. Florida telecom company Vertical Bridge submitted the requests to accommodate the construction of a nearly 200-foot-tall cell tower at the county-owned property. The applicant and the county opted to table the item until January, to allow more time to conform to county requirements, noted planning manager Will Butler.
The commission also postponed a variance request from Hameed Malik of the Islamic Society of Augusta to allow for new signage at the Martinez mosque.
Thursday’s meeting was the last for planning commissioner Russell Wilder, who is stepping down to campaign for the Georgia House District 131 seat. Before the meeting adjourned, Wilder made sure to laude his fellow commissioners and planning staff.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” said Wilder, who has served on the Planning Commission for four years. “I’ve learned a lot. Enjoy the work that we’ve done, where we try treat everybody as fairly as possible… I’ve spent every two weeks doing this, I really appreciate your help.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
