Commissioners hear from Southside Baptist Church, decide on special exception application

WARNER ROBINS — The Houston County Board of Commissioners heard from Pastor Matt Walls of Southside Baptist Church at their most recent meeting. 

Southside has been around since 1953 and Walls said he and his family have been affiliated since 1987. 

“My dad became the pastor and he served for almost 35 years, and two years ago the church elected me as the lead pastor at Southside, so I feel like I’m just now learning to do the job,” he said. 

Southside Baptist Church has two other locations in Houston County, on Bear Branch Road and Pleasant Hill Road, with more in the works. 

“We just announced we’re going to open a new location as we’re merging with Shady Grove Baptist Church in Byron, and we’re also opening a campus in Hawkinsville,” he said. 

Walls said their rallying cry is “For the 478.” He mentioned a lot of churches historically have been more known for what they’re against than what they’re for, however, he did remind the audience that there are some things Southside Baptist Church is against. 

“We’re not that kind of church that is just for anything, but we do want to be known for being a church that’s for people and for the community,” he said. 

Commissioners gave thanks to Pastor Walls. 

“The Lord calls us to love thy neighbors and Southside puts that into action and I’m thankful for that and just keep up the good work,” Commissioner Mark Byrd said. “Thank you for all that you do and for all the activities you do in the community. Thank you for your service with the church and what y’all do to provide for people in need,” Commissioner Gail Robinson said. 

The agenda included the decision on a special exception application, tabled at two previous meetings. James Pierce’s construction business was recommended for denial by Planning and Zoning.  

Pierce said he would like to operate his construction business from his residence for administrative purposes only. 

“There’s been a lot of opposition from the neighborhood based on my application. Quite honestly, I think a lot of that stems from a little bit of a misunderstanding of what I’m asking to do here,” he said. 

Pierce followed up, saying many neighbors signed a petition in opposition, but it had a misunderstanding as well.

“On the top of the petition it says, ‘by signing below, I’m indicating that I am opposed to the rezoning of the Pierce Residence’,” he said. “I haven’t petitioned to have anything rezoned and all I’m asking for is a special exception so that I can use my residential address as my business address so that I can get a business license in Houston County.” 

One neighbor opposed the application and said 64% of the residents in that neighborhood signed the petition. 

“Maybe we do have this wrong, and I think it’s a trust and confusion [issue],” the neighbor said. 

The neighbor questioned how the county would respond to trucks or construction equipment on the property and the exception’s status if Pierce were to move.    

“If the zoning office gave this request an unfavorable recommendation twice and 64% of the neighbors we approached are against it, I don’t really understand why this is being discussed now and that it’s still on the table,” the neighbor said. 

Chairman Dan Perdue said a special exception application is to be granted to a single occupant or occupants of a home for the duration of their living at that address. 

“If they were to move to another home, they would have to get a second special exception application, and that special exception does not transfer over to the next owners,” he said. 

As for the county’s response to any code enforcement violations, Perdue said concerned neighbors can call their office so that they can send a Code Enforcement Officer to the residence. 

“If the business owners are violating the stipulations that may be placed on an application, then we can pull their business license,” he said. 

Commissioner Shane Gottwals asked if there would be any construction equipment at Pierce’s residence.

“My intention would be to never have any equipment stored at my house overnight,” Pierce replied. 

Gotwalls thought the presentation against Pierce had caused unnecessary division and frustration. 

“What is happening is, as he described at the Zonings and Appeals meeting, this allows him to sit in his recliner, create invoices and oversee business development from afar. You will not be able to look at the property and know that anything at all has changed as there will be nothing that appears to be business use,” Gottwals said. “I think that there is so much confusion surrounding what’s going on here. I don’t want you to hear an approval from us as being a group of folks that we know better, and I just think there is so much confusion, frustration and neighbors who aren’t communicating really well.” 

The Board unanimously approved Pierce’s special exception application, including all stipulations from the Zoning and Appeals Board on the staff report and restricting the storage of business equipment on the property. 

In other new business, the Board approved an annexation from the City of Centerville containing 123.25 acres on Williams Drive and a quote on school zone flashing signs for Old Perry Road at Veterans High School and Dunbar Road for Northside Elementary School. 

The next scheduled Houston County Commissioners meeting will be held on April 8, at 9 a.m. at the Houston County Courthouse located at 201 Perry Parkway. 

The full agenda of this meeting can be found at www.houstoncountyga.gov/minutes/2025-03%2018%20Department%20Head%20Copy.pdf