The Grovetown City Council discussed annexation of land parcels and a possible planned urban development during its regular meeting on Monday.
Planning and community director Ronnie Kurtz presented a series of eight proposed ordinances, each to be voted upon independently by the council. The ordinances were all regarding the annexation and zoning of individual parcels of land on Newmantown Road and Old Berzelia Road.
One of the proposed ordinances was to rezone a parcel of about 14 acres on Old Berzelia Road from residential to a planned unit development district.
Mayor Pro Tem Eric Blair expressed concern during the council’s work session about the proposals, noting that the council had received documents about the proposals from planning and community development Thursday.
Councilwoman Deborah Fisher responded that the council was at the time discussing annexing and zoning the properties and that any further building or development plans were not yet the focus.
“We haven’t moved into the building part; we haven’t moved into the design part,” said Fisher. “Right now the question on the table is going to address rezoning and potential annexation for a potential PUD. Down the road, we will have a chance to visit the building portion, how many sidewalks, how many houses.”
Bobby Bagwell spoke before the council on behalf of the Prather Company, which has been working on plans to develop some of the areas on Old Berzelia. Fisher suggested that Bagwell come in at a later date to give a formal presentation regarding Prather’s development plans.
City Attorney Chris Dube advised that the council vote to annex and rezone the properties that are unincorporated islands did not pertain to the proposed development project.
“I recommend that the unincorporated island annexation move forward,” said Dube. “We need to take those based on the statutory deadline 30 days from the date we sent the landowners a letter. Tonight is the 30th day. If you don’t vote on the annexation and rezoning tonight, we’re going to have to start over.”
Ultimately, the proposals were not approved. Fisher moved to approve two of the ordinances for annexation, but the motions died after no one seconded. One proposal was unanimously voted down, and two, including the proposal that entailed the planned development project, died as no one made a motion.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
