Newspaper Page Text
Vol. 139, No. 46 - Waynesboro, Ga. 30830
Established in 1882
Wednesday, January 1,2020 - $1.00
Solar zoning rules amended
DIANA ROYAL
jdianaroyal@gmail.com
The Burke County Planning
Commission is in the process of
updating its zoning ordinance and
preparing to present it to county
commissioners next month. The
ordinance will have a few changes
concerning solar farm construction,
the biggest of those being a
conditional use amendment. If the
county accepts the recommendation,
any company wishing to construct a
solar panel system in Burke County
will be required to go before the board
of commissioners for approval. The
zoning will remain as agricultural
land as opposed to industrial, and the
board of commissioners will decide
on a case by case basis as to whether
they want to allow the construction.
Another suggested change is
an increase in the setback; as it
is currently, an 8-foot opaque
fence is required, but the planning
commission would like to see that
set at 10 feet.
The changes come following a
public hearing on Dec. 19, in which
the planning commission heard
from a number of citizens on both
sides of the solar farm fence, several
who were in support of solar farms
and others who came with either
a petition in hand or questions of
concern regarding the future of the
county.
That hearing stemmed from a
90-day moratorium the board of
commissioners adopted on Oct.
29 which stated that neither the
board nor the planning commission
would consider a request for solar
farm construction permits until the
zoning ordinance could be reviewed
further. Just days prior, the City
of Waynesboro voted to approve
a zoning amendment to change
the municipal zoning on a 21-acre
tract located on Burke Veterans
Parkway from development to light
industrial. This move would allow
for construction of a Georgia Power
utility substation on the property,
located across the bypass from
Mr. Golf Carts, in preparation of
construction of a much larger solar
array behind the 21-acre tract. That
land, which is being leased by
Bird Dog Solar, could be home to
upwards of 650 acres of solar panels.
A spokesperson for Heelstone
Renewable Energy, the company that
owns Bird Dog Solar, was present
at that city council meeting and told
council members the size of the
farm would depend on the amount
of electricity purchased by Georgia
Power. Heelstone was also present
at the Dec. 19 hearing, anxiously
awaiting news as to whether they
would be able to go forward with
the project which was halted by
the moratorium. “We just want to
be good neighbors,” they told the
planning commission, adding that
studies show only about 10 percent
of Burke County land is suitable
for solar development. “We are
a stakeholder in this process as
well, and we’re
bringing in
millions of SOLAR ZONING,
dollars of 5
Out with the old, in with the new
We asked local folks what they’ll remember most
about 2019 as well as what exciting things are coming
their way in 2020. Here’s what they had to say.
What are you looking
forward to the most in
2020?
I’m looking forward to
Mason graduating high
school and a successful
year helping people meet
their real estate goals.
Max Boswell
Broker, Mary Yelton
Realty
What is your best memory of 2019?
My best memories of 2019 will always of course be
with my family, which consists of my husband and kids,
and another is when my
husband and I attended
the class reunions of
the Waynesboro High
and Industrial School
Class of 1959 and 1964.
They were so amazing,
had so much knowledge
to share along with
history — not just about
Waynesboro but for life
in general. Both classes
treated us with respect and dignity. It was my pleasure
to celebrate with them.
Deandra Nicole Carswell
First Lady of Waynesboro
What is the best thing about entering into a new
year?
All of the sparkle and sequins!
Haha, just kidding!
I love all of the
excitement and motivation
a new year brings for new
and even ongoing goals
and resolutions.
Lindsey Beazley
Keller Marketing &
Community Relations,
First National Bank of
Waynesboro
What was the best part
of 2019?
Celebrating my 25th
wedding anniversary with
my wife back in June!
Eric Parker
Head Coach, Burke
County Bears Football
What was a pivotal
moment in 2019 and what
role will it play in the new
year?
I think winning the region championship for the
BCHS softball team was definitely something that
changed the way all the girls (including me) trusted
each other and viewed one
another. It was something
we all had to work hard
for; I believe that that game
changed our perspective,
and it definitely brought
us closer together, not
only as a team but as a
family. This will carry on
to the next year and the
next year to showcase how
teamwork and trust can get
you glorious things.
Libby Ford
Junior, Burke County High School
True Citizen 2019
year end review
A year of openings across the county — the Family YMCA, a new
judicial center and several businesses, teens murdering teens, low voter
turnout and the groundbreaking of a long-awaited animal shelter made
up some of our major headlines of 2019.
These were some of the most impactful, interesting and important
news stories covered by The True Citizen in 2019. Readers may disagree
with the selection of some over others, and we make no claim that the
list is perfect, but it reflects our best effort to recall some of the events
we covered that affected the people of Burke County during the last
52 weeks.
JAN. 2
Ralph Dickey, who served as the Southern Bank’s president for the last
32 years, has retired from a banking career that spanned half a century.
Last week, coworkers, friends, family and a community that loves and
respects him gathered at a reception in his honor to bid him farewell.
Obituaries included William Lee “Bill” Tindal, Timothy Jerome
Chance, Pamela Ann Wright, James M. “Jimmy” Odom and Tomoka
Walker.
JAN. 9
The first winners circle has been revealed, but there are a few weeks re
maining in a longtime tradition that helped put Waynesboro on the map.
Fifty-five dogs qualified for the first stake in the 2019 Georgia Field
Trials competition, the Georgia Derby Championship, which kicked
off on Jan. 2 at Di-Lane Plantation, and the champion was crowned on
Monday afternoon.
Obituaries included Essie Lee Nevils Owens, Lillier Mae Boatwright,
Elizabeth Thompson-Faxton and Louis Melvin Ramsey.
JAN. 16
A coach and teacher for the Burke County School System has been
arrested and placed on administrative leave following allegations of
sexual misconduct.
Travis Thomas of Waynesboro was arrested Monday afternoon fol
lowing complaints made to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office. He has
been charged with one count of felony sexual battery. Additional charges
may be in the “immediate future” according to a report from the BCSO.
Obituaries included Georgia E. Broxton, Christopher Lee lacey, Larry
Earl Moore and Dennis Jenkins.
SEE
YEAR END REVIEW, 8
New year to ring in new state laws
DAVE WILLIAMS
Bureau Chief
Capitol Beat News Service
The “heartbeat” anti-abortion bill
Gov. Brian Kemp pushed through
the General Assembly this year will
not take effect Jan. 1 as intended,
blocked by a federal judge.
But more than a dozen less
controversial measures Georgia
lawmakers enacted during the 2019
legislative session will become law
with the coming of the new year.
The state’s new business court
will become operational, patients
in need of certain medications will
get an easier path to a prescription,
Georgians saving for their children’s
college tuition will get a more
generous tax break and two judicial
circuits will get additional judges.
Here is a breakdown of some of the
new laws taking effect Jan. 1:
^Technically, House Bill 239
establishing a statewide business
court in Georgia took effect last May,
the day Kemp signed it into law. But
the court doesn’t become operational
until Jan 1. In August, members of
the state House and Senate Judiciary
committees confirmed the governor’s
nominee to head the court, Walter
F. Davis, a partner in the Atlanta
office of Jones Day. The new court,
aimed at expediting the handling of
cases requiring expertise in business
law, was created by a constitutional
amendment Georgia voters ratified
in November 2018.
*Under House Bill 63, doctors
can seek exceptions from insurance
companies to “step therapy,” which
requires patients to try certain
preferred medications and wait for
them to fail before they can receive
a prescription for the medication
they want. The law will apply to
any health insurance plan that takes
effect or is renewed on or after Jan. 1.
*House Bill 266 doubles the
state income tax deduction awarded
through Georgia’s 529 Plan for
college savings from $2,000 per
year to $4,000 for single taxpayers
and from $4,000 per year to $8,000
for married couples filing jointly.
The legislation takes effect with the
2020 tax year.
*Under House Bill 166, all genetic
counselors in the state must be
licensed, making Georgia the 28th
state with such a
requirement. The SEE
law is intended to NEW LAWS,
provide consumers 5
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