Columbia County commissioners approve sign and setback variances, accept 0.04-acre easement

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on May 5 approved three routine land-use and property items, including a sign variance for a business on Bobby Jones Expressway, a reduced rear setback for a storage structure and acceptance of a donated easement for sewer repairs.

Commissioner Malyre moved to approve a variance to section 90-135 for property at Tax Map 078 D Parcel 024 to allow additional building signage, subject to conditions in the April 16 planning commission report; the motion was seconded and carried. Planning staff told the board the combined signage that would be allowed by code for front, side and rear would total about “102.5 square feet,” and that the applicant’s proposed signage totaled roughly 102 square feet. Staff said window signage must be permitted or removed within 30 days and that the sign facing Rose Lane must be permitted within 30 days if the variance is approved.

Commissioner Malyre then moved to approve a variance to section 90-53 to reduce a 25-foot rear setback to 10 feet for a proposed storage structure on Tax Map 017 Partial 068. Planning staff explained the lot’s access via an easement makes what would typically be a side line be treated as a rear lot line; the requested 10-foot placement would align the new structure with the owner’s driveway and mirror a neighbor’s placement. The motion carried by voice vote.

Later in the meeting, Commissioner Carraway moved to accept a donation of 0.04 of an acre from Highlands Townhomes HOA, Inc. (Parcel 061081 I) as a permanent easement for the Ivy Falls sewer line improvement project. Staff said county crews would begin repairs once the easement agreement is finalized; the motion carried.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of April 21 minutes: motion carried by voice vote.
- Sign variance (Tax Map 078 D Parcel 024): approved; conditions require permitting/removal of window signs and permitting of lot-facing sign within 30 days.
- Rear-setback variance (Tax Map 017 Partial 068): approved; setback reduced from 25 feet to 10 feet.
- Acceptance of 0.04-acre easement (Parcel 061081 I) for Ivy Falls sewer improvements: approved.

The board held no formal roll-call tallies in the record; the chair conducted voice votes for the motions and declared each carried. The meeting then moved to public comment and subsequently adjourned.