Bulloch County Commissioners voted Tuesday to object to an initiative by the City of Statesboro to annex four parcels of land for residential and commercial development.
In May, the City of Statesboro delivered noticed to the Board of Education and the county announcing intent to annex property for development on Old Register Road and US Highway 301 South with a proposed land use as PUD (Residential and Commercial). The city is seeking to annex somewhere between 90 and 115 acres of property on Old Register and US Highway 301 South.
Under OCGA 36-36-113, county commissioners have the authority to object to a proposed annexation by the City of Statesboro if the annexation will adversely impact the county.
The Board of Education voted unanimously during a work session to ask the county to object because of the burden the new development would place on the school system. The BOE does not have the authority to object on their own, but offered to provide financial assistance if arbitration were to arise.
The matter appeared on Tuesday’s county commission agenda and was presented by George Rountree who is serving as the county attorney in the absence of Jeff Akins.
Commissioner Timmy Rushing said the county’s objection is based on the infrastructure impact – specifically roads. He noted that Old Register Road could not handle the traffic and the possible need for a roundabout on Langston Chapel and Old Register “would cost millions of dollars.” Rushing, however, said that if the city agrees to absorb the responsibilities for the roads, any possible arbitration would not be successful on the county’s part.
Rushing asked the county attorney which justification for objection was best. Rountree said the roads were a legitimate reason for objection, but the BOE request was a “grey area.” The resolution before commissioners notes both reasons, Rountree said.
The resolution notes 1. The proposed changes in zoning or land use, 2. Proposed increase in density, and 3. Infrastructure demands related to the proposed change in zoning and land use as well as the Board of Education’s anticipation of an “expected increase in student population without additional and substantial increases of taxation of county citizens and businesses.”
The resolution also outlines the proposed increase in density will lead to “exceeding the current classroom and staffing capacity of the schools servicing the proposed development area.”
With no further discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Ray Davis and approved unanimously with all commissioners present.
It is unclear exactly how many acres will be impacted because the Resolutions approved by the Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners both contain errors.
