Richmond Hill Mayor Harold Fowler cast the deciding vote Tuesday to grant a conditional use permit for a preschool in a light industrial zone on Hwy. 17.

During the city’s regular council meeting Tuesday evening, council members Van Hunter and Jimmy Hires voted in favor of Jim Singleton’s request for a conditional use permit to build a Montessori childcare center and pre-school next to the Hobart Corp. on Hwy. 17, which is zoned light industrial. Council members Russ Carpenter and Marilyn Hodges voted against the request.

Fowler cast the tie-breaking vote, siding with Hunter and Hires, and the application was approved.

In other business, city council members unanimously approved City Manager Mike Melton’s annual step increase, Fowler said Wednesday morning. The vote was taken after the council entered into a closed session that lasted 15 to 20 minutes, Fowler said.

For more, pick up Saturday’s edition of the Bryan County News.