County deliberates over non-concurrence vote

On Tuesday, February 2, the Houston County Commissioners held their first biweekly meeting of the month of February. After the usual prayer, pledge of allegiance, and approval of minutes, the board went on with their meeting.

The agenda for this meeting was heavy with new business items; however, most controversial was a Centerville Annexation Request, made by WCH Homes, which would add a new subdivision to the Highway 41/Dunbar Road area.

After a motion of non-concurrence was placed by Commissioner Jay Walker, followed by the seconding of this motion by Commissioner Gail Robinson, Chief Executive Officer Tommy Stalnaker called for further discussion.

“I know I have wrangled with this since it was presented,” Stalnaker said, “I will say this about the builder and the developer. The builder is one of the better builders in Houston County. It’s a good product, a very good product, but when I saw it, my concern was the zoning change with the surrounding zoning, even though South of this particular property, it is a PUD, which is even [denser] than what they’re talking about here. My concern is the density, how it’s going to be handled and dealt with in the surrounding properties. My other concern was the other property owners around it have not had the opportunity to voice their opinions one way or the other, support or deny.”

Stalnaker went on to express further concerns pertaining to additional traffic in the area, as well as the water that would have to be bought by the City of Centerville from Houston County.

A concerned citizen was present at this meeting, with one of the very same issue that Stalnaker voiced. Will Vincent, a citizen residing near the area in question rose to the podium to address the board.

“I also have concerns with the density,” Vincent stated, “in that area, right across the street from where my orchard is as far as traffic goes, and changing the whole atmosphere of the area that I grew up in.”

Commissioner Mark Byrd, however, raised concerns on voting for non-concurrence.

“As I sit here, however, I’m conflicted with a vote to non-concur because the landowner and/or applicant has operated within compliance of the current process. So, as you stated,” Byrd explained, gesturing to Stalnaker, “the property is contiguous to the City of Centerville and is contiguous to like zoning. There is a public hearing scheduled, albeit in the city of Centerville, and I do know this process allows for city and county staff to address many of these concerns from an infrastructure improvement perspective.”

Stalnaker also made clarifications. “Centerville has done nothing wrong in this process, and the developer has done nothing wrong in this process, but it puts us in a bad position.” During his time speaking, Stalnaker repeated many times that he was greatly concerned with the lack of an opportunity for citizen input previous to the moving forward of this request.

The board moved forward with the non-concurrence, with Commissioners Robinson and Walker voting in favor, and Commissioners Byrd and Perdue voting against. Stalnaker broke the tie with a third vote for non-concurrence.

The board was also provided with a presentation by Houston County Board of Education Superintendent Mark Scott on the progress of the ESPLOST, as well as what will come moving forward, such as the construction of Bonaire Primary School, various gyms built at multiple schools within the county, auditorium renovations and constructions, a canning plant renovation, and improved safety and security across all schools.

The board took time for both public and commissioner comments, and then made the motion to adjourn.

HHJ News