Development News for Locust Grove, Georgia

Locus Grove Council Discusses Fee Increases, Public Safety Incidents, and Summer Events

The council received updates on various city operations. Public safety reported a decrease in Group A crimes but an increase in Group B crimes, with a notable drive-by shooting incident. Public works discussed equipment needs, including replacing aging vehicles and acquiring a new flatbed truck. The City Manager outlined proposed fee increases for trash disposal and stormwater utility, alongside plans for T SPLOST 2 road projects and pedestrian paths. Community development reported on permit and licensing activity, showing increases in new housing and occupancy certificates. The Mayor announced plans for 'Concerts on the Lawn' and a July 3rd event celebrating America's 250th birthday.

Locus Grove Proposes New Regulations and Fees for Municipal Front Lawn Event Usage

The council considered a city-initiated ordinance amendment to Title V (Special Events) and Title 14 (Locus Grove Events Committee). The amendment aims to establish formal regulations, application procedures, and fee structures for using the municipal complex's front lawn. Key provisions include a 30-day application lead time, a $150 investigation fee for events on public rights-of-way with specific supervision and safety requirements. For the municipal front lawn, permitted uses are limited to non-profit organizations, with a $1,000 user fee. A maximum of eight events per calendar year is allowed, prioritizing city-sponsored activities. Events are limited to a single day between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. The Locus Grove Events Committee will review applications and manage the schedule. The ordinance also outlines the committee's powers, including potentially hiring a part-time events coordinator if budgeted by Mayor and Council. Staff recommended approval.

Locus Grove Approves Variance for Billboard Relocation Due to GDOT Project

The council considered a variance request from Lamar Advertising to relocate and reconstruct an existing 10-foot-6-inch by 36-foot interstate billboard sign on a 9.04-acre C2-zoned property at 620 Stanley K. Tanger Boulevard. The relocation is necessitated by GDOT's I-75 northbound commercial vehicle lane project, which requires acquisition of the sign's current location. Staff recommended approval of the variance, citing that GDOT's condemnation constitutes an extraordinary condition not created by the applicant, and literal interpretation would deprive the applicant of a legally established use due to site constraints. The variance allows the sign to remain functional while accommodating state roadway improvements. The sign's size and configuration will not change, only its location, which must be within 250 feet of its current position and on property zoned industrial or commercial. The sign will be moved approximately 75 feet south and less than 30 feet back from the current position.

Staff Recommends Denial of Future Land Use Map Amendment for Brown Avenue Properties

The council discussed an ordinance to amend the city's future land use map for properties at 93, 75, and 57 Brown Avenue, and two unaddressed parcels (Parcel IDs 128-0102000 and 128-0102-0003). The applicant, Tom Cole Construction, requested changing the designation from 'mixed historic neighborhood' to 'commercial' to support a medical campus, including a freestanding emergency department, medical office building, and retail spaces. Staff recommended denial of the future land use map amendment, stating that while the 'Office Institutional' (OI) zoning aligns with the 'mixed historic neighborhood' designation, the requested 'commercial' designation does not fully align with the city's long-term vision for the corridor and is inconsistent with adjacent historic neighborhood parcels. Staff noted that the OI zoning would support the medical facility, and a change to commercial is not necessary for its development.