Update 2022-01-02: Withdrawn but will return: subdivision in aquifer recharge zone near Little River, Lowndes County, GA @ LCC 2021-12-14

When the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC) held a Public Hearing Monday for a rezoning for a subdivision in an aquifer recharge zone, WWALS Executive Director Gretchen Quarterman spoke against it. Three hundred other people opposed the rezoning. The Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend denying it.

But GLPC does not decide: the Lowndes County Commission will do that on December 14, 2021. And the County Commissioners can, if they choose, change the lot size or approve the rezoning as proposed.

This is what to watch for on that upcoming agenda: REZ-2021-28 Windy Hill S/D, 7532 Miller Bridge Rd., 0010 022, 34 ac., Community well & septic, EA to R1.

Gretchen, speakers, aquifer recharge zone

Here is the LAKE video of Gretchen speaking, at 19:56.
Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC), Valdosta, Georgia, November 29, 2021. Video by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE).

Vice-Chair Ed Hightower, presiding: We still have a little time, is there anyone else here tonight who would like to speak against this case? If so, please come forward. Yes, ma’am.

Please come forward, Ms. Quarterman, and state your name.

[Laughter; they all know who she is, even if he hadn’t just stated it.]

My name is Gretchen Quarterman. I live at 6565 Quarterman Road.

I’m here on behalf of WWALS Watershed Coalition. One of the things that we do is advocate on behalf of the rivers in our area. Well, this isn’t particularly close to the river, but it’s on the aquifer recharge zone.

VALORGIS aquifer recharge zone, Miller Bridge Road. That’s actually the Little River on the left.

Every single person who drinks in this county, drinks from that aquifer. Right now, the dump sits on one aquifer recharge zone.

WRPDO Site Map, REZ-2021-28, Miller Bridge Road

We do not need to, in any way, endanger the aquifer recharge zone. Please deny this rezoning.

Gretchen Quarterman for WWALS, against REZ-2021-28, Miller Bridge Road

Before her, the owner and developer spoke for the rezoning, saying, as developers around here always do, that everybody wants to live in the north end of Lowndes County and there’s just no way to stop that. Well, except of course denying rezonings, for example.

Owners, for REZ-2021-28, Miller Bridge Road

Attorney Brad Folsom spoke against the rezoning on behalf of 300 petition signatories.

Brad Folsom for 300 signatories, against REZ-2021-28, Miller Bridge Road

Another speaker, David Adams, talked about how difficult it was to control water across the road.

David Adams, against REZ-2021-28, Miller Bridge Road

Upon request by the Vice-Chair, most people in the packed room raised their hands in opposition to the rezoning.

Hands against REZ-2021-28, Miller Bridge Road

Somewhat to everyone’s surprise, the Planning Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend denial of the rezoning.

However, one of them, Franklin Bailey, outright said that he could support it at 2.5 acres but not at 1.

So beware when the deciding body, the Lowndes County Commission, meets on Tuesday, December 14th, at 5:30 PM. They can, if they choose, change the lot size to 2.5 acres and approve the rezoning.

Plat map, REZ-2021-28, Miller Bridge Road

Or they can even approve the rezoning at the 1 acre size.

Anyone opposed to this rezoning may want to call or write the Lowndes County Commission before the December 14th meeting, and show up if you can.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!

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