Putnam County reviews draft development ordinance amendments at town hall; no votes on changes
March 01, 2026 | Putnam County, Georgia
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Putnam County Board of Commissioners officials and staff presented draft amendments to the county's development ordinances at a town hall on Jan. 22, 2026, in the Putnam County Administration Building in Eatonton. County Attorney Adam Nelson led the discussion and said the county's goal is to move the proposed amendments onto the table for adoption.
The presentation reviewed a range of proposed changes including preliminary plat expiration and bonding (Sec. 28-61, 28-66), technology uses (Sec. 53), updates to the C-C Commercial Crossroads District (Secs. 66-111–66-113), Planned Unit Development rules (Sec. 66-114), provisions for build-to-rent developments (Sec. 66-132(x)), and rezoning factors related to use/zoning (Sec. 66-165). Planning and Development Director Lisa Jackson and County Manager Paul Van Haute were present and participated in the discussion as staff representatives.
Multiple residents spoke during the public-comment portion, asking questions and raising concerns about development processes and the draft changes. The minutes list the attendees who commented or asked questions as: George Kelecheck; Charles Gray; Bill Vargo; Jennifer Ray; Sherri Johnson; Barbara Bowden; Steve Miller; Ryan Deidrichsen; Charles Ray; Kim Gentle; Ben Prew; Karen Henry-Garrett; Casey Marvitt; and Josh Sprayberry. The minutes do not attribute specific remarks to separate transcript segments or provide verbatim quotes for individual public comments.
No ordinance or formal policy actions were taken at the meeting. The only recorded formal action was a motion to adjourn: Commissioner Tom McElhenney moved to adjourn the town hall; Commissioner Richard Garrett seconded. The minutes record 'Voting Yea' by Commissioners McElhenney, Garrett, Hersey and Wooten; the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:44 p.m.
The meeting record indicates the county is continuing work on draft ordinance language and intends to pursue placing proposed amendments for future consideration and adoption; the minutes do not set a date for any formal vote or next step on those draft amendments.
The presentation reviewed a range of proposed changes including preliminary plat expiration and bonding (Sec. 28-61, 28-66), technology uses (Sec. 53), updates to the C-C Commercial Crossroads District (Secs. 66-111–66-113), Planned Unit Development rules (Sec. 66-114), provisions for build-to-rent developments (Sec. 66-132(x)), and rezoning factors related to use/zoning (Sec. 66-165). Planning and Development Director Lisa Jackson and County Manager Paul Van Haute were present and participated in the discussion as staff representatives.
Multiple residents spoke during the public-comment portion, asking questions and raising concerns about development processes and the draft changes. The minutes list the attendees who commented or asked questions as: George Kelecheck; Charles Gray; Bill Vargo; Jennifer Ray; Sherri Johnson; Barbara Bowden; Steve Miller; Ryan Deidrichsen; Charles Ray; Kim Gentle; Ben Prew; Karen Henry-Garrett; Casey Marvitt; and Josh Sprayberry. The minutes do not attribute specific remarks to separate transcript segments or provide verbatim quotes for individual public comments.
No ordinance or formal policy actions were taken at the meeting. The only recorded formal action was a motion to adjourn: Commissioner Tom McElhenney moved to adjourn the town hall; Commissioner Richard Garrett seconded. The minutes record 'Voting Yea' by Commissioners McElhenney, Garrett, Hersey and Wooten; the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:44 p.m.
The meeting record indicates the county is continuing work on draft ordinance language and intends to pursue placing proposed amendments for future consideration and adoption; the minutes do not set a date for any formal vote or next step on those draft amendments.
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