Perry council meeting discusses annexation requests, denies firearms business

PERRY – Mayor Randall Walker and council members received plans for new subdivision developments during Tuesday night’s Perry Council Meeting.

Annexation requests

Bryant Engineering made both requests for annexation and rezoning. According to Community Planner Emily Carson, the first property is located on South Highway 341, a 42.89-acre parcel. The applicant is requesting the plot be annexed into the city limits as an R-3, single-family residential; the parcel is currently an R-AG county. 

Carson said the applicant wants to convert the parcel into a subdivision, but wetlands are in the east boundary. According to the applicant, the provisions of the wetlands result in a development similar to the density of an R-1 single-family development, which will limit the number of units they are capable of building.

A public hearing was held about both requests. The applicant, Chad Bryant, spoke in favor and answered questions from the mayor and council. 

According to Bryant, the parcel will have approximately 90 units. Although R-1 is denser than R-3, Bryant said the property will be similar to R-1. This is because half of the property is usable for building units, and the wetlands impact the density. 

Councilman James Moody and Mayor Pro Tempore Robert Jones also shared concerns over the access to the subdivision. Bryant said South Highway 341 is a Department of Transportation road, but he assures the mayor and council they will follow their standards. He said the subdivision must include a left and right turn lane. Bryant believes it will benefit the nearby subdivision, Ivy Glen.

Moody said he could not imagine more driveways in the congested area. Councilman Willie King also voiced concern over the wetlands and asked Bryant how they would control the water when it rains. 

Bryant said they know the city’s water regulations and are aware of the water discharges into a FEMA-regulated flood plain. He said, as a designer, they will discharge the water into a large basin.

Citizens also took the opportunity to voice their concerns over the proposed subdivision. One resident believed the area should be rezoned as an R-1 since it would be similar. He also said he thinks the applicant is trying to build as many units as possible onto the parcel. He said the residents of nearby neighborhoods are tired and already see new developments happening. 

He also suggested the city conduct an independent third-party stormwater analysis to ensure residents’ safety. 

Another resident spoke about her concerns and shared that she lives near the proposed development. She also shared her experience with new developments, including putting up with dust. She said the area has frequent accidents because blind spots go up and down the road. 

She said she sees many more accidents occurring if the subdivision is developed. The resident also spoke at a previous meeting, saying how new developments affect density, including healthcare. She said she still has those same concerns and believes the city does not have enough schools to support its growth. 

The same applicant, Bryant Engineering, also requested annexing a property on Main Street. It will be rezoned from a county R-AG to an R-3 single-family residential.

Carson said the parcel is close to the power station on Main Street. Bryant spoke again in favor of the annexation and answered questions from councilmembers. Councilmembers expressed concern about stormwater since it affects the south side of the city. 

Bryant assured them they would capture the majority of the water through culverts and detention ponds, which he said would mitigate the flooding.

Two residents spoke against the proposed subdivision, comparing it to the subdivision Orchard on Main. One of the residents said there is a registered FEMA floodplain above the property and urged the mayor and council to conduct an independent third-party stormwater analysis again.

Another resident spoke in opposition, saying she shares the same concerns. She said last year, she spoke to the mayor and council about digging out the ditch in the area. She shared that they see all the stormwater coming from Keith Drive through the corner of her yard. 

She recently shared that the city will ease them on the ditch. However, her concern remains about stormwater getting into her property.

Since these were the first readings on the annexations, no action was taken by mayor and council.

Special Exceptions

Earlier in the meeting, an applicant requested a special exception to allow the sale of firearms as a residential business, which the council denied.

According to Community Planner Emily Carson, since applying, he has completed the process to be licensed through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Carson said there are no ordinances prohibiting the sale of firearms from a residence, no firearms will remain on site, and the applicant would have to maintain compliance with agency regulations regarding safety and background checks. 

She also shared with the mayor and council that the applicant expected to have one customer at a time at various points throughout the month. 

Councilmembers shared their concerns about the special exception. During the pre-council meeting, Councilman Willie King said he did not agree with it due to recent school shootings and gun violence in the country. Councilmember Phyllis Bynum-Grace also shared the same concern and said she would not vote in favor of the special exception. 

During the regular council meeting, King asked the applicant if any children were in his home. The applicant said his oldest child was 23 years old. King said he understood his business but preferred it if he operated it from a different location.

Councilman James Moody said he was concerned about the children living in the neighborhood and the possibility of selling ammunition. During the regular council meeting, Councilman Dan Peterson said he understood their concerns, but his approach is thinking about the applicant’s property rights. He said he had the right to operate a business as long as it was legal.

Police Chief Alan Everidge said there are many homes in the county that operate as firearms dealers, but few are in the city. 

The applicant spoke in favor of his application and described his proposed business. He said people would have been able to ship firearms and pick them up from his home. He said he had no intention of holding inventory. 

The exception was denied in a 4 –1 vote, Councilman Peterson voting for approval.

Southeast Tourism Society Awards

Earlier in the regular council meeting, mayor and council recognized Visit Perry for winning two awards. Economic Development Director Holly Wharton told the mayor and council the first award they received was the 2024 Best Marketing Award for their Visitor Guide. Wharton said the award celebrates outstanding marketing campaigns that have successfully promoted destinations or events in the Southeast. 

Executive Director of Visit Perry Anya Turpin also received the 2024 Rising Star Award. Wharton shared this award is given to an individual who has shown exceptional promise in the tourism and hospitality industry. It recognizes rising leaders who show dedication, innovation and passion for the industry. 

To read about Turpin’s reaction to winning the awards, click here. 

Hurricane Helene

Toward the end of the meeting, Councilman Dan Petterson expressed his gratitude that Hurricane Helene did not cause extreme damage to the city. He said the city was blessed that the hurricane took a detour around central Georgia. 

He said during Monday’s Work Session, he asked mayor and his fellow councilmembers if there is a communication strategy in case the hurricane hit the city directly. 

“I thought you would be very encouraged to know there are great strategies, people we are contracted with and there are plans in place to help us deal with a disaster like that should it ever hit us. I keep praying that will never happen but we’re ready for that if it happens,” he said.

After approving the remaining items on the agenda, the mayor and council went into executive session to discuss real estate and potential litigation.

Mayor and council will meet again for pre-council starting at 5 p.m. and regular council meeting at 6 p.m. on Oct. 15. Everyone is invited to attend these meetings; the agenda can be found here.