VALDOSTA — In the most well-attended Lowndes County Commission meeting of the year, dozens of citizens opposed the rezoning of five acres on Loch Laurel Road.

Kevin Copeland spoke in favor of the rezoning of the land from Residential Agriculture and Low Density Residential to Crossroads Commercial to continue using the land and facility for semi-truck and diesel equipment repairs.

He said the location had been used for 35 years without complaint from neighbors.

“I have a hard time understanding what the big problem is,” said Copeland. “We’re not building a church or a liquor store; it will be the same thing we’ve always done. We haven’t had a problem in the past and we’re not looking to do anything different.”

His father, Kevin Copeland, spoke next and said he received some money each month with a disability check, but it wasn’t enough to cover his bills.

Nancy Hobby explained that Kevin Copeland lost his leg several years ago but was unable to sell his land when a business proposition fell through.

“In the city, we see businesses, homes  and offices separated with zoning, however in rural areas, with the exception of subdivisions, it is common to see a more diverse landscape,” she said. “Home businesses, big estates with expensive homes right next to a small mobile home; cattle farms thrown in; churches scattered around; soybean patches here and there are normal for the 'country'."

She said she realized the importance of rules and protection regarding zoning laws.

“When we have a system that ties a man’s hands where he’s barely getting by on a government check and can’t get income for a piece of property that he owns free and clear, but can’t sell it, can’t lease and can’t afford to tear his building down, but is expected to pay taxes every year, which he does, then our zoning guidelines and rules may need some serious changes.”

Attorney Bill Nijem represented local neighbors. He asked members of the audience to raise their hands if they were against the re-zoning.

At least two dozen did so.

Nijem said he sympathized with the man’s situation but argued that the zoning was improper because there was no crossroads, it was surrounded by residential zoning and it would have a detrimental effect on property values and nearby wetlands.

He said the zoning would allow for future commercial developments in the area.

Eventually, commissioners unanimously approved the rezoning request with a lengthy list of conditions that included a limitation to trade and repair services; hours of operation from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays; no new buildings or additions; no equipment or vehicles within 50 feet of any property line and no more than 15 motor vehicles located on the property at any time. The Crossroads Commercial zoning would also be limited to the duration of John A. Copeland’s ownership of the property, after which it would be zoned Residential Agriculture.

After the meeting, District 3 commissioner Crawford Powell said that those in opposition were in favor of conditions but had changed their minds on either Monday or Tuesday morning.

In other news, commissioners approved the following agenda items:

• The re-appointment of Pat Iverson to the Department of Family and Children Services Board.

• The appointment of Joseph Stevens, Steve Gupton and Crawford Powell to the Lowndes County Public Facilities Authority. Powell abstained from the vote.

* The re-appointment of Cindy Vickery to the South Georgia Community Service Board.

• A request for commissioners to sign and approve updates to the Georgia Department of Transportation Speed Zone Ordinance for Lowndes County. This update is necessary due to the speed limit increase of State Road 7, north of Lake Park from 55 mph to 65 mph.

• A request to abandon a portion of Brinson Drive. According to County Engineer Mike Fletcher, 597 vehicles were counted on the dirt road in one day. Fletcher said 15 of the vehicles exceeded 60 mph and one exceeded 70 mph.

• A request to renew Motorola software support at a cost of $69,022.

• A request to allow JMF Solutions, Inc., to perform a feasibility study of providing a voice and data option to an area in North Lowndes County.

• A request from the County Clerk’s Department to update existing codification and make Lowndes County ordinances available online.

• A request from the Lowndes County Fire Rescue to apply for up to $25,000  grant with Firehouse Subs. Fire Chief Richard Guyton said the cutting tool equipment would help reduce the Insurance Services Office rating.

• A request to purchase 195 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus cylinders for Lowndes County Fire Rescue at a total cost of $97,938.75. Fisher Safety of Pittsburg, Penn. provided the lowest bid for the units at a cost of $502.25 per unit.

• A request to purchase a new message switch server at a cost of $15,000 from capital funds.

At the end of the meeting, County Manager Joe Pritchard mentioned that trash service cards would be available on the first floor lobby of the Lowndes County Judicial and Administrative Complex on Friday for $50.

The cards would allow use of the county collection centers from July 1 to Jan. 7, 2013 and would allow staff and commissioners to come up with another solution to waste management.

Pritchard also reminded the public that the sale of animals in public parking lots or on the side of the road would require a business license in unincorporated Lowndes County. He also advocated that responsible pet owners should have their pets spayed or neutered to eliminate unwanted litters. He recommended interested citizens contact Lowndes County Animal Welfare or the Valdosta-Lowndes County Humane Society for additional information.

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