The Eatonton City Council met Monday night for its second of two regularly scheduled meetings in February.
Following routine formalities, city resident Janet Kelhoffer expressed concern to Eatonton Mayor John Reid and council members about a proposed granite quarry to be located along Dennis Station Road in the southwestern part of Putnam County.
Though the project would be situated several miles beyond city limits, Kelhoffer argued it would still directly affect Eatonton residents.
“You may think that the proposed quarry issue is relevant only as a county matter, but I think we need to consider broader implications of water quality, air quality, and traffic,” Kelhoffer told the council.
She also noted the quarry’s application references an additional 160 truckloads of gravel per day moving through Eatonton and Putnam County.
“That’s going to be a tremendous increase in traffic and workload on all of our roads,” Kelhoffer pointed out.
“I don’t think there’s any way around the fact that every one of us will be impacted, no matter where we live,” she added.
Also addressed was a rezoning request for 2.83 acres at 671 Madison Rd., Eatonton, to change the property’s designation from C-1 commercial to R-2 residential. The property, which includes a home dating to 1865, had previously operated as a bed-and-breakfast.
The owner told council members the house had been her mother’s and had been extensively restored, but since her mother’s passing, a potential buyer has stepped forward and is willing to continue restoring and preserving the home. However, the potential buyer would be unable to secure traditional financing if the property remains zoned commercial.
On the other hand, if it remained zoned as C-1 and eventually sold for commercial development, “it would be knocked down,” she warned.
Restoration of such an old property “is a very expensive venture,” and “one that requires a special commitment,” the petitioner told the council. She added, though, that the rezoning would lead to the home becoming “even more of a landmark as you’re coming into the city.”
City Administrator Gary Sanders and City Clerk Maria Jimenez confirmed to councilmembers that the Eatonton Zoning Board had unanimously recommended approval for rezoning. The motion to approve the rezoning to R-2 passed unanimously by the council.
The council also approved the annual permit request from the Pilot Club of Eatonton to host the annual Dairy Festival and parade on Saturday, June 6.
A motion to close part of South Madison Avenue, south of Marion Street, for the Magnolia Market and Chalk Walk hosted April 11 by the city’s Main Street program also received unanimous approval from councilmembers.
In other business, the council agreed to participate in Georgia City Week, scheduled for April 20-25, and themed as “Love Your City” Week. Expected activities will include employee appreciation events and community engagement efforts.
Council members also unanimously authorized the Eatonton Fire Department to apply for a fireworks excise tax grant. City Fire Chief Jamey Williamson said this will be the third-straight year his department has applied after securing just over $20,000 two years ago for new, larger hoses and fittings on the department’s fire trucks.
“The department is seeking up to $25,000 to purchase new fire hoses, nozzles, and lighting equipment, and the city would then provide a 10-percent match,” Williamson told the council, which approved his request to again apply for the tax grant.
Public works updates included progress on several street-paving projects across multiple neighborhoods, with additional roads scheduled in the coming weeks. Officials also reported that the long-running North Maple-East Marion sewer and paving projects are expected to be completed within the next month.
With no executive session scheduled, the meeting was adjourned after councilmembers delivered departmental reports and approved payment of routine city bills.