Commissioners Say No To Two-Acre Lot Hearing

By JACK BAGLEY
The Meriwether County Commission decided at their January 27 meeting not to move forward with a public hearing regarding a proposed ordinance regarding two-acre residential lots.
The item had been discussed at the November 25, 2025 meeting. Staff had recommended holding a public hearing on March 24, 2026, allowing time for ordinance revisions, legal review, and required public notice.
The Commissioners discussed public concerns raised about reducing minimum lot sizes, especially on dirt roads. Two-acre lots are already permitted on paved roads, and the Commissioners noted that the original intent was to address limited, family-based situations rather than broader development.
Commissioner Adam Worsley moved to not go forward with the public hearing, and Commissioner Bryan Threadgill seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and no public hearing on the two-acre lot question will be held.
The Commissioners voted to approve a lease agreement between Public Service Towers and the county, even though Public Service Towers refused to modify two provisions of the lease. The provisions that were not modified included setting venue for any legal disputes in Taylor County or a neighboring county, and accepting a mutual limit on consequential damages to tower equipment. The vote to approve the lease was 4-0, with Chairman Emmett Collins, Vice Chair Jennifer Snelson, Commissioner Gene King, and Threadgill voting in favor. Worsley abstained from voting on the issue.
A public hearing was held after James Flournoy asked the Commissioners for special use of three lots in his mobile home park to allow for recreational vehicles. Following public comment on either side of the issue, the public hearing was continued to the February 9 meeting to allow more information to be brought back to the Commissioners.
In other business, the Meriwether County Commission:
• Denied a request from John Parker to rezone a 445.29-acre parcel of land at Highway 85 and Alvaton Road from LDR to NHC. Parker had asked for the rezoning for the proposed use of small retail, a possible hardware store, a softball facility, and an RV camp. Following discussion the Board voted to deny the request unanimously;
• Tabled an appointment to the Lake Meriwether Advisory Board to the February 9 meeting;
• Approved banking and financial services and signatures for 2026;
• Tabled to February 9 considering of engineering services for the administration of the 2026 LMIG bid process after the Commissioners expressed a desire for clearer contract terms, and EMC Engineering to present a proposed contract for review;
• Approved intergovernmental agreements between the county and its cities for animal control, establishing a standard framework for such services and including a $45 fee for animals housed at the county Animal Shelter;
• Approved the Association County Commissioners of Georgia’s GCIP grant agreement for an intern at the Probate Court;
• Approved replacement of a grease trap at the Meriwether County Jail after the discovery of damaged piping;
• Approved replacement of the grinder station for the main sewer line at the Jail; and
• Approved audit-related budget amendments for the 2025 T-SPLOST and the general fund.
The next regular meeting of the Meriwether County Commission will be held Monday, February 9, at 6 p.m.