The revised residential development site plan for Glen Laurel subdivision was approved after the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners heard from residents opposing the current proposal during its meeting Tuesday evening.

While all of the residents that spoke supported community growth, they were asking for a compromise with the developer.

“We are not against progress,” Coy Brightwell, Old Pine Road resident, said. “We are not against the development of Lowndes County … The part that we do have a problem with is the density of this proposal. We’re just not in agreement with the drastic changes that will take place in our community (and) we are here for a compromise.”

Many residents were concerned that the current housing property values will diminish if the current proposal is approved. However, the attorney for the development, Bill Nijem, did not think the housing market would be affected by the development.  “I don’t think these lots and these houses are going to be a detriment to the houses already out there,” he said.

Residents were also concerned about the increase in traffic and that the subdivision would only have two entrances onto one road.  Some residents said they felt misled by the developer. Initially they were told that houses in the $140-180,000 price range would be built, but later discovered that houses in the $130-140,000 price range are what are in the proposal.

Residents feel that the developer is putting too many houses in a small area and many would like to see larger houses in the higher price range be built.

“All we ask is that they make the lots a little larger (and) keep the value higher,” Glynda Zaun, Old Pine Road resident, said.

“Houses within this price range are what’s needed,” Nijem said. “There are county services that allow for smaller lot sizes.”

Residents also wanted to know who would maintain the development, in terms of the entrance, green space, park and pond.  “Growth should be constructed in a way that’s beneficial to everyone,” Zaun said.

Most residents wanted the R-10 development and felt that would be a fair compromise with the developer.

“On average, R-10 will have a more developed family atmosphere,” Brightwell said.  R-10 would provide 10,000 square feet minimum and a quarter of an acre lot of the development.

However, Barbara Herring, the site plan developer for Southeastern Surveying Inc., said if they do that then the green space would be eliminated and the number of lots would decrease significantly.

The Glen Laurel subdivision will be located on Old Pine Road. The initial proposal included 106 houses, but the amended proposal decrease the lot amount to 94. The lots are also larger, averaging 6,000 square feet.

The subdivision will serve the local schools and Moody Air Force Base community. There will be a park in the middle of the subdivision, several acres of green space, a retention pond and natural vegetation.

Once the trees and shrubbery have grown, the subdivision will be surrounded by green space, Herring said.

“I see where you are going with this and I applaud the hard work that you’ve done,” Richard Lee, district 2, said. “ … We try to work with both the neighbors and the planning (commission) to find a balance. There’s got to be some sort of middle ground … The demands for the development are going to be there. We’ve just got to get the planning done.”

Ultimately, the item was approved 2 to 1.  All other agenda items were also approved.

The Bridges/Darby property received approval for its rezoning request, which was based on the previous development’s foreclosure. The applicant wanted the 289-acre property, located near Corinth Church Road, Peat Moss Road and Twin Lakes Roads, to return to a residential and agricultural zone.

After reviewing a contract between the Lowndes County Board of Assessors and Traylor Business Services Inc., the board of commissioners approved the annual request for the contract to remain confidential. No money will be included in this year’s budget associated with the contract, Joe Pritchard, county manager, said.

The public defender’s office received approval to be awarded rollover funds from 2008 and 2009. The money will go toward conflict attorney vouchers, court reporters, interpreters and non-personnel expenses.  

Fred Hassan’s request for a license to sell beer, wine and liquor by the package was also approved. The packaging location will be at the Lake Park KOA/Office/Store located at 5274 Jewel Futch Road.  The Wellhead Protection Overlay received approval to be tabled for 30 days for readvertisement until a thorough plan is ready to be presented to the board.

Board members also approved for the extension of the 2009-2010 operating budget until a new proposed county budget is adopted.  Three members were appointed to the Keep Lowndes/Valdosta Beautiful Board – Rick Griffis for the L-12 term, Carla Gerrin for the L-12 term and Brantley Cauley for the L-13 term.

Board members also reappointed Ray Devery for a three year term to the Lowndes County Library Board and Wallace Koehler to the Library Board.

Lee recommended that Paulk be appointed as the authority member of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority, which the board approval unanimously.

“My intent will be solely for the good of Parks and Rec and separate from being chairman of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners,” Paulk said.