County extends moratorium until code changes are approved

Pike County commissioners heard from county manager Brandon Rogers at their Sept. 26 meeting that all the discussions from UDC (Unified Development Code) workshops are currently being compiled to update the county’s code. He said the county’s moratorium needs to be extended to allow for the first and second readings and final adoption.

“We just wrapped up all the UDC workshops and we are working on compiling all the changes,” said Rogers. “We plan to present the proposed changes to planning and zoning at their Oct. 9 meeting for the first public hearing. Their comments will be compiled into an updated copy of the code and presented to you [board of commissioners] for the second public hearing on Nov. 8. We won’t accept the UDC that night, but will make any BOC changes and consider input from others before final approval. We are looking at Dec. 17 for actual adoption.”

Commissioner Jason Proctor made a motion to extend the moratorium to the end of the year or as soon as the UDC is adopted, whichever is first and the motion passed unanimously.

“I really hate to extend it but I think it’s something needed because we are definitely not ready to approve anything yet,” said commissioner Tim Guy.

The moratorium delays zoning and land use decisions such as major subdivisions, rezonings, zoning applications, variances and special exceptions but does not stop administrative acts such as plat review or minor subdivisions. Commissioners originally voted May 10 to place a 90-day moratorium and it was extended 60 days from Aug. 9 at a subsequent meeting.

County manager Rogers also noted that the county may have to schedule a special called meeting to discuss the county’s digest and what the millage rate needs to be set at for the calculation of property taxes.
Pike commissioners extended the

The county also:

• Heard from commissioner Proctor who asked for other commissioners’ thoughts on paper ballots for the next election.

• Approved the adoption of the Mental Health Resolution which was requested by the ACCG to take to state legislators and pursue community advancement in relation to mental health.
  
• Held closed, executive sessions to discuss personnel, potential litigation and real estate acquisition. After an hour and 10 minutes, the board reconvened to adjourn the meeting.
  
• Approved chairman Briar Johnson to sign the proclamation of Sunday, Nov. 5 as Retired Educators Day in Pike County and Georgia.