Commission approves zoning, planning pursuit
Lowndes County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to seek state authorization for planning and zoning. This decision was driven by residents' concerns about preventing unwanted developments, specifically citing a hyperscale data center project in Burkville. Residents, led by Marie Barnes, had conducted a petition drive advocating for zoning to protect residential communities.
Lowndes County commissioners have unanimously approved a resolution to pursue state authorization for establishing planning and zoning in the county. This action follows a petition drive and public debate initiated by residents concerned about preventing large-scale industrial projects from encroaching on residential areas.
Marie Barnes, a Lowndes County resident, presented nearly 100 petition signatures to the commissioners during their August 24 meeting, arguing that zoning is one of the most viable options to protect communities. Barnes specifically highlighted a hyperscale data center project currently developing in Burkville, amidst over 250 homesteads, as an example of an unwanted development that zoning could prevent.
Commissioner Robert Harris put forward the motion to pass the resolution, requesting the creation of planning and zoning for Lowndes County and its enactment by the state legislature in the upcoming legislative year. The resolution also calls for the appointment of one person per district to serve on a new planning and zoning board. While the measure passed unanimously at the county level, it still requires approval from state legislators to move forward.