At the request of the developer for more time to explore “other options,” the Putnam County Board of Commissioners last week tabled for 30 days his appeal of previous denials for changes in the final plat for a 15-lot subdivision off Pea Ridge Road.
The contest appears to focus less on the requested changes than on the precedent they might set for future developments. The final plat for the subdivision was approved only last summer.
Only one of the 10-acre lots has been developed so far. That lot belongs to the developer, Lowell White Jr., who was being assisted by his father, Lowell White Sr., a well-known local developer.
However, a potential purchaser of one of the lots wants to build a house facing the interior of the property and a “barn-dominium” on the back side of the lot, which has frontage on MLK Drive. Such a structure would have commercial spaces on the bottom and a residence on top. The commercial spaces would be allowed in its AG (agricultural) zoning as long as the uses were related to agriculture, according to Planning Director Lisa Jackson.
In brief comments to the commissioners, the senior White noted some of the “other options” that might be explored: a “one-time” amendment to allow a service road to two equestrian lots, changing the homeowner association covenants to allow two residences on one lot, or “seeking counsel.”
In other actions in the relatively brief meeting, the commissioners:
• Listened to complaints from residents along a Lake Oconee cove which includes the Anchors Marina. Usage of the marina’s ramp by the public is “out of control,” said Lakeview Drive resident Erin Olson. “What good are conditions (of the business permit) if they are not enforced?” (A mediation session is scheduled this week in Magistrate Court.)
• Appointed Charlotte Griffin to a second six-year term on the county Board of Health.
• Recommended three candidates for the Putnam General Hospital board of directors to fill a vacancy (Barry Chambers, Rebecca Rocker, Georgia Benjamin Smith).
• Issued a proclamation honoring the Putnam County Middle School girls basketball team for winning the state championship of Piedmont League.
• Honored seven of the county’s volunteer firefighters on their recent retirements: Carlton Layson (who Chief Thomas McClain noted had started his service in 1974 – some 48 years ago – with the formation of a fire-rescue unit that was later absorbed by the county), Robert Kneip, William Knight, and Gerald Clemons. Three other retirees are now deceased: Jack Clemons, George Quinn and Bryan Jones.