Putnam County commissioners review development rules, consider standards for solar farms and data centers
March 01, 2026 | Putnam County, Georgia
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Chairman Bill Sharp opened a Putnam County Board of Commissioners work session on Oct. 22, 2025, in Eatonton to review the county's development processes and possible zoning and code changes. The session, scheduled to end at noon, ran until about 12:08 p.m.
The discussion centered on growth, density and design standards, with commissioners saying they want tools to manage residential and commercial development and address housing shortages and infrastructure needs. Planning and Development Director Lisa Jackson and Assistant Director Courtney Andrews joined County Attorney Adam Nelson and commissioners to outline several possible regulatory changes, including requiring site plans for all rezonings, revising planned unit development ordinances, and raising infrastructure and water-system requirements for new projects.
Commissioners and staff also debated how to handle newer large-scale uses, such as solar farms, data centers and battery storage facilities, including whether those uses need distinct permitting standards or additional infrastructure requirements. The group discussed administrative adjustments as well, such as imposing time limits on preliminary plats and exploring ordinances for build-to-rent housing models to influence project timelines and housing supply.
County Attorney Adam Nelson agreed to prepare drafts or recommendations for some of the smaller changes discussed and present them at a later meeting for further direction. Commissioners also discussed holding a town-hall meeting with developers and residents to gather input on proposed changes before formal action.
No ordinances, resolutions or formal policy changes were adopted during the session. Chairman Sharp reminded the board the next development work session is set for Nov. 18, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Votes at a glance: A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Tom McElhenney and seconded by Commissioner Richard Garrett. Commissioners Tom McElhenney, Richard Garrett, Steve Hersey and Jeff Wooten voted yea; the minutes record the meeting adjourned at approximately 12:08 p.m. The minutes do not record Chairman Sharp's vote on the adjournment.
The discussion centered on growth, density and design standards, with commissioners saying they want tools to manage residential and commercial development and address housing shortages and infrastructure needs. Planning and Development Director Lisa Jackson and Assistant Director Courtney Andrews joined County Attorney Adam Nelson and commissioners to outline several possible regulatory changes, including requiring site plans for all rezonings, revising planned unit development ordinances, and raising infrastructure and water-system requirements for new projects.
Commissioners and staff also debated how to handle newer large-scale uses, such as solar farms, data centers and battery storage facilities, including whether those uses need distinct permitting standards or additional infrastructure requirements. The group discussed administrative adjustments as well, such as imposing time limits on preliminary plats and exploring ordinances for build-to-rent housing models to influence project timelines and housing supply.
County Attorney Adam Nelson agreed to prepare drafts or recommendations for some of the smaller changes discussed and present them at a later meeting for further direction. Commissioners also discussed holding a town-hall meeting with developers and residents to gather input on proposed changes before formal action.
No ordinances, resolutions or formal policy changes were adopted during the session. Chairman Sharp reminded the board the next development work session is set for Nov. 18, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Votes at a glance: A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Tom McElhenney and seconded by Commissioner Richard Garrett. Commissioners Tom McElhenney, Richard Garrett, Steve Hersey and Jeff Wooten voted yea; the minutes record the meeting adjourned at approximately 12:08 p.m. The minutes do not record Chairman Sharp's vote on the adjournment.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
