Proposed changes to the Putnam County Code of Ordinances seemed to be a drawn-out affair at the June 25 meeting of the Putnam County Board of Commissioners.
However, the commissioners in attendance – Chairman Bill Sharp, District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown, and District 4 Commissioner Jeff Wooten – only had a couple of questions and comments before they unanimously approved the changes to Chapters 28 (Development Regulations) and 66 (Zoning) of the Ordinances.
The time was taken, instead, by members of the public who signed up to express their opinions and concerns during the Public Comments time, as well as County Attorney Adam Nelson’s response and explanations.
Nelson said the process of updating the code of ordinances began in September, and he emphasized that the update is “not a full rewrite of the ordinances.”
“Instead, it’s an attempt to match with trends in development and match some of the actual procedures our staff follows with respect to applications, development, other zoning matters that come before the county,” he explained. “And I’ll say this: this is probably the most discussed ordinance change that I’ve been involved with in the county, and I think you will be satisfied with it based on the direction that we’ve gotten from the board so far.”
Nelson said in Chapter 66, some definitions were added for new uses in the county.
“Some of these uses already existed, but we decided to define them,” he said to the commissioners. “That gives you the ability to regulate and gives assurances to the people who live next to those uses that it will be used as it says it is.”
Nelson listed the definitions and changes, which included, but were not limited to, automobile sales and rentals, shipping containers, convenience stores, structures used for agriculture, hospice care facilities, manufactured homes, tiny homes, carports and garages, religious facilities, retail package shops, campgrounds, hunting clubs, slaughterhouses, and harmoniums.
A barndominium is a barn-like structure is used as a furnished home or living area. Generally, they are large rectangular dwellings with open floor plans, according to many online resources. As it sounds, its name combines “barn” and “condominium.”
“I do want to make one note,” Nelson said. “Since the last meeting, at the commission's request, we’ve removed the requirement for metal siding from the barndomiums, so now you’re allowed to use corrugated and noncorrugated siding.”
Other changes to the zoning ordinances include conditional use permits now must go through the planning and zoning board, and the requirement time for staff to review and approve applications has been extended.
Regarding development regulations, Nelson said the development permit has been removed.
“Quite frankly, it was a bureaucratic permit that we weren’t relying upon anymore,” he said. “So it’s no longer required.”
Other Chapter 28 changes include reducing the number of physical copies of filings, studies, plats, etc., and replacing them with digital copies. Added to the development process is that the fire chief and county engineer will also review the developments.
“The only real technical difference we have between your current Chapter 28 and the proposal is we’ve made a bigger radius for cul-de-sacs to allow our fire trucks and EMS to be able to get in, and those are for newly constructed cul-de-sacs,” Nelson explained. “And then finally, we’re allowing parking in front of front yards of multifamily districts, which most of these plans are already matching anyway.”
During the public comment time, Bill Vargo said he’d like to “see the ordinances reworded to the point that anybody could understand the true meaning and the direction that you want to go with these ordinances.”
Vargo opined that the ordinances could be interpreted in different ways by different individuals.
“We don’t need to put a new ordinance in place because it’s trendy,” he said. “If it’s because a county around Atlanta or Augusta’s got it, well, no. We’re Putnam County. We’re not the city suburb areas that probably need some of these new ordinances. ….That’s why a lot of people moved to Putnam County; they want to get away from that trendy stuff in the big city.”
Billy Webster spoke about the setback footage, saying he wanted to “get it on the record that this lake is our lifeblood, and if we don’t protect it, we’re doing ourselves a disservice.”
Referring to a portion of Chapter 66 in the ordinance, Webster said, “The setback from the main arterial road is 100 feet, but the setback from Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee is only 65 feet. I find it very difficult that we would …. have a greater setback from our road than we do from our lake, which, again, is our lifeblood in Putnam County.”
Charles Ray also spoke on the setback and recalled when he first built on Highway 16, the setback was 100 feet, but anyone who needed a variance could go through a “very robust variance process” that involved approval from the commissioners and notification to adjoining neighbors.
Ray said the 65-foot setback could affect property values and taxes. Nelson remarked that the changes were not a total rewrite of Chapter 66.
“This is more, in my opinion, a tune-up of our ordinances rather than a complete rewrite,” he said. “And to answer some of the speakers, the purpose of planning ordinances is to both match what is happening in development trends and the vision that this board has in the development of the county. So, we may very well continue to review your ordinances and come back with proposed changes.
"The purpose is to make this a document that meets what the vision of this board is. It’s our attempt to see where trends are going and what direction the board has given us in order to protect not only the developers but also the people who live next to developments or the people who rely upon the enforcement of codes. It’s been a well-vetted process.”
Commissioner Wooten asked Nelson for a recap of when the setback was changed from 100 feet from the lake to 65, saying it was right after he came into office. Nelson said the change was in response to what developers were asking for as well as a survey of surrounding jurisdictions on the lake.
After the motion was made to make the proposed changes, Brown commented that the setback was made four years ago.
“And there’s been quite a bit of construction all in that area, and we haven’t had any issues on that 65 feet,” he said. “They have been working on these codes for a while, but these codes can also be changed in the future. Things change, locations change, people change, and you try to make decisions that are best and go with it.”
District 1 seat election
In other business, the board set the qualifying fees mandated by state law at $234 for the upcoming election to fill the BOC District 1 seat, which became vacant when Commissioner Gary McElhenney died at the end of May. The qualifying date will be set at the next Board of Elections meeting on July 2.
The election to fill the seat will be held at the same time as the General Election on Nov. 5. More information can be found on the Board of Elections & registration’s website, ber.putnam-ga.gov.
Firefighters honored
Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain recognized three firefighters for their long-time dedication and service. Donnie Chapman joined Putnam County Fire Rescue in 2006 and served the Rockville area. Hank Bower has served in the Sugar Creek area since 2005.
“It takes a lot to be a firefighter,” McClain said. “If you’re at home with your family eating dinner, if you’re asleep in bed, when someone else needs you, you’ve got to get up and answer that call.”
Special recognition was given to Joe Thompson, who was one of the founding members of Putnam County Rescue Squad in 1974.
“And he has served loyally up to this day,” McClain said. He’s retiring tonight.”
The commissioners and meeting attendants gave the three men a standing ovation.
New mailbox
Chairman Sharp expressed appreciation to Congressman Mike Collins for working to get a blue mailbox installed outside of Eatonton’s Post Office after the previous one was vandalized and damaged.
“We didn’t have a blue mailbox, but now there’s one there,” he said. “So the senior citizens can now drop their mail in the box without climbing the steps and going into the post office.”