New rule requires notices for development changes

Columbia County commissioners tentatively passed a new ordinance Tuesday forcing developers to advertise "major changes" to planned unit developments.

The advertisements would inform residents of plans to change buffer widths, the size of passive recreation spaces, types of housing, locations of roads and density, such as adding apartments.

The public notice and newspaper ad must also give the time and place for a public hearing by the county Planning Commission.

Also Tuesday, the commission approved a $1.6 million bid from RCN Construction to build a Georgia State Patrol post on Chamblin Road. County officials initially budgeted the project at $2 million. It will be paid for using 1-cent sales tax funds.

The post, which will replace a Thomson facility, might be ready late this year or early next year.

Before Tuesday's meeting, a swearing-in ceremony was held for new Commissioners Trey Allen and Charles Allen. They replaced longtime Commissioners Tom Mercer and Diane Ford, who chose not to run for re-election.

Charles Allen thanked all those who attended the ceremony and those who supported him in his campaign for the District 3 seat against former Planning Commission Chairwoman Deanne Hall.

When asked whether he had anything to say, District 2 Commissioner Trey Allen quipped, "Pretty much everything (Charles Allen) said, except about the campaigning." He ran unopposed in November's election.

Also at the ceremony, Coroner Vernon Collins and other re-elected constitutional officers were sworn in. All were incumbents who ran unopposed.

During the meeting, John Samuels, of the county Procurement Department, was recognized as Employee of the Year for 2008 and Animal Care and Control was recognized as the Team of the Year.

Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.