VALDOSTA — The Greater Lowndes Planning Commission recommended denying residential zoning for Turnberry at Thompson after more than 50 residents attended the meeting to protest the proposed change.

The Turnberry at Thompson applicant wants to rezone 21.7 acres from estate agriculture to medium density residential off of Old U.S. 41 North and Thompson Road.

Estate agriculture zoning allows for five-acre lots while while medium-density residential zoning allows for half-acre lots.

Prior to the vote, the case was recommended for denial by county staff, not because of the quality or size of the houses that would be put onto the lots, but because of the increase in population density. Planning staff found it to be inconsistent with Lowndes County’s plan for the area based on the comprehensive plan.

GLPC President Franklin Bailey asked Jason Davenport, county planner, to name the lot size that staff would deem acceptable. Daveport said he could recommend 2.5-acre lots, but the applicant stated during the meeting that he would not entertain larger lot sizes.

Of the 50 residents at the meeting, Mark Barber represented the group, he was selected by his neighbors and the neighboring communities. He listed 14 reasons why the zoning request should be denied.

Barber cited density, traffic, the loss of “rural flavor,” inconsistency with the comprehensive plan for the area, making special exceptions and what he called “spot zoning.”

Barber said he and his neighbors were concerned about property value, but he wanted to speak to the Planning Commission on its terms, not the terms of a homeowner.

The vote to recommend denial was unanimous with seven of the commissioners voting against the request. Brad Folsom recused himself from the case, saying he had a conflict of interest because he does work for the applicant.

— The Branham project was approved for recommendation to rezone 18.04 acres from low-density residential, one-acre lots, to medium-density residential, half-acre lots, at 2480 Copeland Road.

The motion for approval was made by Folsom and the second for the motion was made by Chip Wildes. Celine Gladwin, G.L. McLendon, Johnny Ball III, Jody Hall, Wildes and Folsom voted for the motion. William Willis and Ted Raker voted against the request.

Before the motion was passed, Willis motioned to deny the request with Raker seconding the request. The other commissioners present voted against the request.

Prior to voting, several residents spoke against the request. Most of the residents cited issues with traffic in the area, privacy, ease of passage for emergency vehicles and an increase in litter.

A similar request was denied in 2015 due to traffic concerns and increasing population density in the area. There was also a petition with 28 names on it in 2015 from residents in the area to deny the request.

The differences between the request in 2015 and this year is that the county has delivered water and sewage to the area, and in the petition from 2015, four of the names on the petition were proven to be forged, Davenport said.

— The GLPC voted to recommend approval for the 3824 Newsome Road case with the limitations that uses for heavy manufacturing be restricted to vehicle repair and junk salvage and to give the applicant 90 days to become compliant with the new zonings.

The request was to rezone a total of 20.16 acres to heavy manufacturing and estate agriculture with 9.36 of the acres being heavy manufacturing.

Hall originally made a motion to deny the request, but no one seconded the motion. Folsom made a motion to approve the case with the above stipulations with a second from Willis. The motion carried seven to one, with Hall dissenting.

— The GLPC recommended approval for the rezoning of 24.8 acres to heavy manufacturing at Piedmont Place off of Exit 13 for a 100,000-square-foot distribution center for small packages.

A representative for the applicant from Lovell Engineering spoke in favor of the request and said the applicant will decide if it will build the distribution center in December. If the applicant builds in the location, it will try to begin construction in January or February.

— The GLPC unanimously approved recommendation for the following rezoning cases: 1.5 acres to low-density residential at 5571 Ivy lane and 2.57 acres to residential agricultural at 4678 U.S. Hwy 41 S.

The GLPC voted to recommend the site plan update for Cain’s Creekside RV Park.

The Lowndes County Commission has final say on the case and is scheduled to consider the GLPC recommendations, 5:30 p.m., Dec. 13, in the commission chambers.

— The GLPC voted to approve the conditional-use permit for the microbrewery at 109 S. Briggs St. and the rezoning requests for 7.24 acres to community commercial at 2107 Baytree Road and 1.75 acres to multi-family residential and community residential on the 1500 block of Miramar Street and the 600 block of Baytree Road.

The above cases will have their final action 5:30 p.m., Dec. 8, by Valdosta City Council at City Hall in the council chambers.

— The GLPC voted to keep Bailey as the chair and Hall as the vice-chair.

The Greater Lowndes Planning Commission is a recommending body only and meets 5:30 p.m., the fourth Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at 325 W. Savannah Ave.; however, the GLPC will not meet during the month of December and will resume its regular meetings Jan 24.

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1256.