Planning board approves several rezoning and conditional-use requests, okays abattoir sketch plan

The Effingham County Planning Board on May 14 unanimously approved a set of zoning and land-use requests and granted sketch-plan approval for a proposed abattoir.

Scott Thompson (owner/operator) received conditional-use approval to store portable restrooms and small dumpsters at 550 Hwy 17 S in a B-2 district; staff said the use previously approved at a different property will move to this location and that Thompson will comply with required screening. Alan Zipperer moved to approve the conditional use with staff recommendations; Ryan Thompson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

The board also approved a rezoning request from AR-1 to AR-2 for approximately 5.55 acres on Lamons Drive (AmSon Group LLC as agent for Shirley White). No one spoke on behalf of the application; Brad Smith moved to approve with staff recommendations and the motion carried unanimously.

A third application — to rezone roughly 5.799 acres (of a 16-acre tract) from I-1 to R-1 on Midland Road to enable subdivision into single-family lots — was approved with staff recommendations. Troy Smith (agent) said the adjacent surface mine remains active but is expected to finish within six to 12 months; he said the developer has completed soils and wetlands work and will have about one acre of developable land on each of five lots, with a 20-acre lake nearby. Ryan Thompson moved for approval; Brad Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Finally, the board approved the sketch plan for "Southeast Packers, LLC Abattoir" on Stillwell Clyo Road; Samantha Easton said staff recommended approval and the board voted to approve the sketch plan.

All approved items will be presented to the Effingham County Board of Commissioners for public hearing on June 4 as part of the standard referral process.