VALDOSTA, Ga. — Among the rezoning requests the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Tuesday night was a proposed retirement village in Lake Park.
The Villages at Lake Bowden had met with opposition from some residents near the 291-acre property who are concerned about the effects the retirement village will have on the community.
Developer Tony Bowden spoke on behalf of rezoning the undeveloped and partially wooded piece of property from R-10 (residential) to P-D (planned development) to create an active adult community for seniors 55 years of age and older.
“After researching several census studies, 45 million people are in the 55 and up percentile, and people are coming from Florida with two options of where to go,” said Bowden. “I wanted to appeal towards the market of senior citizens that will be exiting from Florida with this unique development in the Lowndes County area.”
Commissioners’ approval included eight of the nine conditions originally proposed by the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission. The light commercial portion of the site plan along Corinth Church Road will be excluded from commercial development and will retain R-10 zoning.
Commissioner Richard Lee spoke in favor of the rezoning request. “I am excited to see the project. It’s outside of the box of the same regular projects. I commend Mr. Bowden for introducing this project and recommend approval.”
In addition to the rezoning request, the Commissioners motioned to proceed with a public hearing for the abandonment of Bridges Road (County Road 389) and a portion of Peat Moss Road (County Road 379) on May 8.
The Board of Commissioners adjourned into executive session to discuss property acquisition and pending litigation.
Public hearings were conducted on the following:
• Junk/Salvage Yard (S in I-S) and Restaurants (P in M-2); unanimously approved.
• Pit 31, WMS, Madison Highway 97 2 & 47, 73 ac., R-10 to I-S, Well/Septic, DRI; unanimously approved.
• Butler, Tower Road, 8.097 ac., E-A to R-A, two lots Well/Septic; unanimously denied.
• J & J Properties, 8235 Ga. 122 W, 2 ac., E-A to C-C, Well/Septic; unanimously approved with condition as a convenience store.
• Lawson 6049 Coppage Road, 105 ac., R-21 to E-A, Well/Septic; unanimously approved.
• Lester, 6071 U.S. 84 East, R-10 to C-G, one lot (Lot No. 4) Well/Septic; unanimously approved.
• Bay Estates, Upper Grand Bay Road, Ga. 135, Wright Road, 100 ac., E-A to R-A, 40 lots, Well/Septic; unanimously approved.
• Abandon unopened road bed on Burma Street (County Road 822); unanimously approved.
For Consideration:
• Motorola service agreement; unanimously approved.
• Motorola extension to Maintenance and Support Agreement SA 002439-000; unanimously approved.
• Ordinance to approve a records management plan; unanimously approved.
• Resolution to establish the official record of meetings of the Board of Commissioners; unanimously approved.
• Agreement and resolution for Lowndes County to transfer the authority from the State of Georgia and responsibilities of the Office of the Insurance and Fire Safety Fire Commissioner to the Lowndes County Fire Chief and Fire Marshal; unanimously approved.
• Jail Phase II; unanimously approved.
The second Lowndes County Board of Commissioners meeting for the month of April has been canceled.
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Related Photos
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Developer Tony Bowden presents his proposed plan for Lake Bowden Property to the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners Tuesday.
Discussion
The Villages given OK
Lowndes County Commissioners approve retirement village
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