County Commissioners take no action on controversial annexation, tentatively amend ordinances

WARNER ROBINS — An annexation from the City of Warner Robins sparked concern at the latest Houston County Commissioners meeting. 

The property being proposed is 13.53 acres set to hold a commercial property located at 2712 HWY 127 and 727 Old Perry Road. 

Before public comments on the item and a vote, Chairman Dan Perdue said the board previously denied a commercial annexation and rezoning. 

He added that some citizens think the Board of Commissioners has more control over the annexation process than they actually do. Perdue believes there is no clear way for them to object to the annexation while still abiding by Georgia law. 

“It’s just an annexation, not a rezoning,” he said. “The grounds for a county objection under state law are largely tied to a change in zoning or density and there is not one present with this request.” 

According to Perdue, the framework allows a property owner who had been denied a rezoning at the county level to annex into a city at an existing zoning, wait out a “two-year freeze”, then pursue the same rezoning from the city. Perdue urged the community to contact their state representative or state senator if they had any concerns about this process. 

On the grounds of non-concurrence with an annexation without a rezoning, the process would be delayed a day or two. 

If the commissioners were to concur, they’d be abiding by Georgia law. If they were to non-concur, they would not honor the oath they took when they first took the position as County Commissioner.

Perdue also said the Commission could take no action. This option would give the county a 45-day window to consider this item. This option wouldn’t carry the endorsement of the Commission nor the need for a review from the Department of Community Affairs. 

“In my opinion, this is the option that most honestly reflects where this commission stands,” he said. “We are unwilling to bless what is happening but also unwilling to pretend that Georgia law gives us a meaningful path to stop it.” 

Those in attendance had a chance to speak for or against the annexation request. 

Keith Newton spoke in favor and simply requested the commission to concur with the annexation. 

Houston County Public Works Employee Terry Mock, who lives on Old Perry Road, spoke against the annexation. He said he moved to the county from Warner Robins seeking a “less congested, more peaceful lifestyle.” 

Mock claims that Newton seeks to develop a commercial business in the middle of their residential neighborhood. Mock said Newton has another development on the corner of Old Perry Road and Woodard Road. 

“Old Perry Road is a county road, and it’s not equipped to handle the current traffic load, much less the increased congestion the additional commercial development would bring,” he said. 

Old Perry Road contains Veterans High School and the soon-to-be Veterans Middle School, so traffic has already been a cause for concern. Adding more development would likely make traffic worse for the citizens. 

Mock also claimed a commercial property across the street from his home and others would devalue their property values and the residents don’t plan on leaving. They were told that the law is on Newton’s side due to his not seeking a rezoning. Mock said this allows the City of Warner Robins to bypass the concerns of Houston County residents. 

“This board is our only defense against the destruction of our neighborhood,” he said. 

The Board of Commissioners decided not to take action on the annexation request. Perdue said after the 45-day window closes, the request will move on to the City of Warner Robins for a final decision. 

With a moratorium on liquor stores and vape shops currently in progress, the county tentatively amended its ordinances and had a first reading of them. County Attorney Tom Hall said the amendment says any store that has more than 25% of its floor space designated for vaping, the county will not allow those stores in the unincorporated areas. 

Existing vape stores will still stand. If one closes, another vape store cannot take its place. 

In the liquor stores ordinance, the county changed the wording to “retail liquor stores.” Another change is the distance between existing and new liquor stores. Hall said there cannot be a new store within five miles of an existing store. 

There will be a public hearing on these amended ordinances at the June 2, 2026, Houston County Commissioners meeting, located at the Houston County Courthouse, beginning at 9 a.m.

The full agenda of Tuesday’s meeting can be found at: www.houstoncountyga.gov/minutes/2026-05-19%20Department%20Head%20Agenda.pdf