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Commissioners OK self-storage facility
new Eagle scout
Bryan County Commissioner Noah Covington gives a resolution passed Tuesday by the commission recognizing the countys newest Eagle Scout, Lucas James Van Ginkel. - photo by Photo provided.

Bryan County commissioners approved a measure at their monthly meeting Tuesday that will put a self-storage facility on Veterans Memorial Parkway between the county annex and the entrance to Buckhead East Subdivision.

Located on 6 acres, the facility also will front on Highway 144, although there will only be an entrance on Veterans Memorial Parkway with no access from Highway 144.

Much of the discussion from the commissioners centered on signage and lighting and the possible disturbance to nearby residents.

Terry Coleman of the Coleman Company told the commissioners that the signage will adhere to the county sign ordinance, which would allow a sign up to 24 feet tall.

Commissioner Rick Gardner pressed Coleman on the height specifics, saying he would be in favor of a sign considerably shorter than the allowed 24 feet.

“Would something in the area of 14 to 18 feet be something you would be comfortable with?” property owner Alan Dasher asked Gardner.
The commissioner said that was in the general area.

Coleman also said the current trees and planting in the area would be augmented as needed to make sure county officials are satisfied with the overall buffer. The project, dubbed Stop N Store, would feature a small on-site apartment for a manager to live in, and existing water and sewer facilities would be used. The property is part of a 500-acre planned-unit development that was proposed and approved in 2008.

There is currently a storage facility on Highway 144 Spur that is part of the planned-unit development and the conditional-use approval will allow the facility on Veterans Memorial Parkway.

Even though the PUD was approved in 2008, at least one Buckhead East resident told the commissioners that he and other residents there learned about the proposal less than 24 hours before the commissioners meeting. The resident was told to get with the county-planning staff to find out the particulars about what had been approved previously.

In another planning-agenda item, the commissioners approved the rezoning of a 3.3-acre parcel on Highway 144 between Harden and Smith roads from an A-5 zone to R-30. That would allow two houses with a shared driveway to be built. One local property owner, Helen Arnsdorff, opposed the rezoning, telling the commissioners that the property should remain in its present zoning.

Property owner Larry Galbreath told the commissioners that those interested in maintaining the status quo should “buy the property and hold it.” The rezoning was approved, with Gardner opposed.

Coastal Regional Commission Transportation Director Donald J. Masisak told the commissioners the county could save $114,000 under a CRC proposal that would cut the number of buses used to transport senior citizens and people with special needs from eight operating in the county to six. While saving the county revenue, Masisak said it would eliminate six part-time driver positions currently filled by county employees.

After hearing that benefits and retirement plans would be considered, commissioners Gardner, Carter Infinger and Steve Myers voted in favor of the proposal, with Wade Price opposed. Chairman Jimmy Burnsed was out of town, and Commissioner Noah Covington acted as chairman and did not vote.

County 4-H Agent Trish West and several students made a presentation celebrating 111 years of 4-H history.

The commissioners also passed a resolution recognizing the county’s newest Eagle Scout, Lucas James Van Ginkel. Van Ginkel is a member of Scout Troop 486.

Other commissioner action included amending the personnel policy as it relates to certain political activities during business hours, and the first reading of an amendment to the county water and sewer ordinance that would allow price changes via resolution instead of by ordinance.


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