The Columbia County Board of Commissioners in its regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 5 postponed the matter of Fresco Café’s permit to sell alcohol.
A committee recommendation to deny the Martinez restaurant a permit to sell distilled spirits had been forwarded to the meeting’s consent agenda. However, the item was moved to the debate agenda. During the discussion, Commissioner Don Skinner made a motion to postpone consideration of the item, pending the results of a state hearing scheduled on Oct. 28 regarding citations by the Department of Revenue. The board unanimously approved.
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A rezoning resolution in Martinez and a wall constructed in Evans were two items of contention on the meeting’s debate agenda.
Ollie Higdon, owner of Coosawhatchie Investments, requested property located off Kuhlke Drive and Brittany Way be rezoned from single family residential to S-1, or special, for the proposed utility contracting business. The rezoning was approved by the planning commission on Sept. 16 with conditions including a review by the Columbia County landscape architect and water utility to address the design of the buffer and a review by the planning commission of proposed building elevations.
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Pamela Lightsey, a resident on Brittany Way, requested that the vote on the matter be tabled, so there could be further negotiations among the residents, the seller and the buyer of the property. After a motion by Skinner approve, the board approved to table the matter until its next meeting on Oct. 19.
Philip and Ashley Marks had requested an encroachment agreement at 1143 Sumter Landing Circle from Columbia County to construct a concrete retaining wall. Before the board was able to approve, the wall had already been constructed.
This situation was discussed between the board members, Ashley Marks and contractor Kent Logan.
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The board ultimately approved the encroachment agreement with the condition that there be a survey of the wall showing the location of the parcels, and that an easement between property owners allowing mutual access be recorded; that a licensed engineer inspect the entire wall, footing and drain system to ensure that it meets design criteria; and that all permits and fees for encroachment and working without a permit be paid, all within 60 days.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
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