LaFayette, GA – Walker County’s Board of Commissioners found themselves the targets of criticism from both constituents as well as municipal peers for a collective lack of public relations at Thursday’s regularly rescheduled meeting.
The public critique came swiftly after the board approved two controversial rezoning requests of some 100 acres of farmland along Glass Road, contiguous to the Walker County Industrial Park.
The variance request came from Walker County’s Industrial Development Board to rezone both parcels from agricultural to industrial setting.
Walker County’s Planning and Zoning Board recommended denying both requests to commissioners but when the topic came before the board in May, it was subsequently tabled for the June meeting.
Thursday as the panel revisited the topic, Commissioner Robert Blakemore motioned the board to accept the rezoning request by stipulating a 200 foot vegetative barrier be installed for all property boundaries, with the Industrial Park’s easement the lone exception.
The proposal passed by unanimous vote and then was soundly rejected by neighbors, who claim the community’s opinions were bypassed by commissioners.
“I want to cry, I want to sell, I don’t want to even live here anymore.” barked Stacy White on the Glass Rd rezoning vote. White says she lives on the hill overlooking the pasture and now fears what will eventually be built, vegetative barriers notwithstanding.
David Boyle of the Noble Neighborhood Association rhetorically asked why commissioners would approve rezoning historically agricultural farmland while six considerably sized, existing industrial sites in Walker County are vacant and available for immediate development.
Both Boyle and White were pointed with the commission for a perceived lack of collective feedback prior to the rezoning approval.
Commissioner Mark Askew says expansion of the now 15 year old industrial park is bounded by property limitations.
Rossville’s new interim pro tem Mayor Jonathan Lassiter was quickly admonished by commissioners after his opening salvos questioning responses from both Chairperson Teems and Commissioner Robert Blakemore on proposed property access.
Lassiter says he approached Teems weeks ago about 2 Bulldog Drive, better known as the old Rossville Middle School, which is owned by Walker County. Lassiter says the Rossville Fire Department wants to utilize the facility for volunteer firefighter training.
Lassiter says he was disappointed by the commission’s decision to deny the request and the apparent disregard from Chairperson Teems.
“Be careful coming in real hard, Jonathan, when you’re making allegations, you’re coming in a little hot,” warned Askew, saying it was his understanding that the Rossville Middle School request was for the county to give the property to Rossville.
Lassiter snapped back that the Memorandum of Understanding spelled out exactly what the city of Rossville was requesting.
Chairperson Teems apologized for not returning Lassiter’s voicemail more promptly, but says she was deep in the midst of budgeting. She says she returned the Mayor’s phone call a week later and got Lassiter’s voicemail.
Lassiter then turned on District 1 Commissioner Robert Blakemore for his lack of support for the firefighting request in his own district. Blakemore said Lassiter was incorrect in stating the board declined the measure, saying it never was presented for consideration. Blakemore also blasted back on Lassiter for lack of follow-up, saying he’s still awaiting a text reply months ago on another community relevant topic.
In the back and forth between officials, Teems said she has consulted with Walker County Fire Chief Blake Hodge, who said he was concerned with volunteer firefighter training in the proximity of housing near Rossville Middle School.
Teems said she would bring the motion to the board’s full attention and a decision would be forthcoming.
In board action, the commission approved a new meeting place at Courthouse Annex 4 at 201 South Duke Street as summer renovations continue at the school headquarters in LaFayette.
Commissioners also approved a new payroll system for county employees with a $38,000 contract with PayCore. Walker County HR Director Hugh DeLaCruz says the software program will greatly improve an “archaic” system currently used.
DeLaCruz says the 2 year contract with PayCore comes with a 5% cap on cost adjustments annually.
The payroll vote coincides with Walker County’s selection of Regions Bank as a secondary financial institution. Teems says the board’s longtime relationship with the Bank of LaFayette will continue, but the move to a secondary bank allows for the county to shop for better interest rates.
New fee schedules were also approved for the Walker County Landfill as well as Animal Control, effective July 1st.
The next meeting of the Walker County Board of Commissioners is set for July 10th at 6pm.