VALDOSTA — The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners heard much public comment Tuesday evening before unanimously approving a burn ordinance that restricts the open burning of leaves in high-density residential areas to two Saturdays a month, no less than 100 feet from any dwelling.

Residents in the following zonings are affected: single-family residential with minimum lot sizes of 10,000 and 15,000 square feet; Twin Lakes Residential with 10,000 square-foot minimum lots; manufactured home subdivisions with 10,000 square-foot minimum lots; manufactured home communities with 4,000 square-foot minimum lots and connection to public water and sewer; cluster residential areas with up to 12 units per acre; and planned development areas (P-D) per site plan.

The ordinance requires adherence to the Georgia Prescribed Burning Act and the Georgia Forest Fire Protection Act in addition to obtaining proper permit documents from the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Some county residents wanted a total ban on burning, and one resident presented a petition with 236 signatures favoring the request.

Ten-year-old LaRae Seemann marched up to the podium, a pink bow tied in her hair, and read commissioners a letter about how smoky conditions in her neighborhood prevent her from riding a bike and playing with friends.

“When I smell smoke and need to breathe it in, I get sick,” Seemann said.

Her asthmatic condition requires trips to the doctor when smoke fills her lungs, and Seemann said missing school makes her miserable because of a strict attendance policy.

Seemann’s father, Brian, said he pays countless medical bills for LaRae and her cat, who also developed asthma due to lingering smoke.

“We need to get progressive and make a total ban on burning,” he said.

Residents against a burn ordinance said limiting burning to two days a month would make the smoke worse and unfairly punish persons unable to burn those days because of rain or other preventative issues.

Tony Miller, a resident of the Loch Winn neighborhood, said implementing restrictions pitted “a small, rich, powerful group against the vast majority of working class people.”

Miller said freedoms associated with the American dream of home ownership would be affected if commissioners approved the ordinance.

County Fire Chief Jim Fielding said the ordinance resulted from many years’ deliberation and allows citizens to enjoy outside activities.

Commissioner Richard C. Lee said the ordinance balanced needs on both sides.

“The community gets to a point when it’s in a transition and growing,” Lee said. “People moving into the area come with expectations.”

During Monday’s work session, commissioners suggested posting signs in affected neighborhoods to notify residents of the new policy.

To view a copy of the ordinance, visit the county Web site at www.lowndescounty.com.



In other business:



– Residents commented about the abandonment of Franklinville Road citing reasons for and against the motion.

Tommy Stalvey Jr. asked commissioners to approve the abandonment, saying repairing the bridge, which is inoperable and closed, would be too costly a measure.

Residents against the abandonment said they needed two points of access to their properties and emergency situations and additional mileage necessitated the road remain functional.

Commissioners had to put the item on hold until their next meeting because an advertisement of the public hearing only ran once in The Valdosta Daily Times, and a mix-up prevented the item from running before the second hearing. Legal requirements necessitate the ad run before both public hearings.

– Commissioners authorized execution of a bond purchase agreement for the water and sewerage revenue bond process to be issued by the Lowndes County Public Facilities Authority.

– Commissioners approved a communications systems agreement with Motorola that improves warning systems if equipment breaks down, a budget impact of $591,365.

– The Northlake Drainage Project received authorization, and a storm drain with six structures on Mossy Oak Trail will be installed.

– The Pine Grove Collection and Recycling Center will receive repairs, including installation of a four-foot high ramp, with a budget impact of $90,000 coming from SPLOST V funds.

– Commissioners authorized a drainage project for Liska Circle to install a cross-drain.



To contact Kenna Walsh, call (229) 244-3400, ext. 237.