Residents concerned over two different annexation requests just approved by Warner Robins council

WARNER ROBINS — Warner Robins council approved two controversial annexation requests and heard concerns from residents during Monday night’s meeting.

One of the requests was an ordinance to annex 13.53 acres on 727 Old Perry Road and 2717 Highway 127 into the city. It is located in the Kathleen area, which is part of the county. The request was made by Castaway Self Storage and Carwash, according to the council agenda. 

This has already sparked concern during a Houston County Commissioners meeting in May. The Board of Commissioners decided not to take action on the request. After a 45-day window, the request moved on to the city which made the final decision. 

During the public hearing, Jason Heisterkamp, a Kathleen resident, said this has been an ongoing issue for years now. He said he along with his neighbors are concerned about safety, reduction in property values and traffic. School buses are often in the area, due to Veterans High School being nearby. Multiple residents said if a commercial property is added a student could be hurt. 

Another resident, Kathy Talton, also brought up her concerns about traffic, saying she has witnessed school buses being rear ended. 

“We have fought this from day one,” she said. 

Councilman Keith Lauritsen said their decision has nothing to do with the intended use of the project. He said they are only voting on the annexation and he preferred the land stayed residential. 

Mayor LaRhonda Patrick also clarified that by law they have to consider the annexation, unless there is a missing component. If they don’t consider the request, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs will be involved, since it is the property owner’s right. Patrick said whenever there is a rezoning request, it has to come back to the mayor and council for a decision. 

“At that time is when we can say and we have the ability to say we do not approve your intended land use because of the concerns of the community,” she said. “You sharing your concerns are good, they are valid and it’s good for us to know way ahead of time what the position is inside the community.”

Patrick said they will consider the land use when the property owner makes a rezoning request. 

The request was approved in a 5-1 vote, Councilman Derek Mack voted to deny the request. 

Amanda Place residents voice concern over rezoning request

The next item on the agenda was another annexation and rezoning request on 100 and 104 South Amanda Place, which totals 4.53 acres. The request was made by Carter Sisters Properties, according to the council agenda.  

The rezoning would be from single-family residential to general commercial district. 

Due to it being a high-traffic area, multiple residents shared their experiences. One resident, Rhonda Moore, said the buffer has already been destroyed. She said they want to prevent commercial property from coming into the neighborhood. The area is already surrounded by commercial businesses, which causes a lot of traffic. This restricts access into the subdivision. 

The council included a condition that no commercial access should be granted from South Amanda Place or South Houston Lake Road. Councilmember Larry Curtis said commercial is to be established through the interpartial connectivity from the adjoining commercial tracks. This includes the traffic signal on Smithville Church Road and South Houston Lake.

Patrick shared insight into the request. During pre-council, council and city staff discussed their desire to keep a natural, undisturbed 25-foot buffer. Patrick explained if someone tries to make the parcel commercial, their frontage will be trees that cannot be disturbed. They also discussed reducing the traffic that may exist. 

“It’s a place where you should be pretty safe from making that be a commercial plot,” she said.

The annexation will be official on Sept.1. In the meantime, city staff will check the area and work with the county to shut down access to the neighborhood. 

Before voting, Mack said he was conflicted and they needed to make sure the buffers would be placed. The city council approved the request unanimously. 

The next Warner Robins City Council Meeting will take place Aug. 17, 4:30 p.m., at Warner Robins City Hall, 700 Watson Boulevard. The regular council meeting is livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page.