City of Hinesville Mayor and Council approved a new security plan as presented by the attorney and owners of Big Apple nightclub during the City’s Feb. 4, regularly scheduled meeting. The Mayor and Council also approved renewing Big Apple’s alcohol business license.

The City held a show cause hearing on Dec. 3, 2020 where the Mayor and Council took action to revoke the alcohol business license for up to 45 days and no less than 45 to come up with a security plan. The revocation was the result of several incidents reported at the club to include a shoot out which injured two people. It was not the first time Big Apple was shutdown due to several police involved incidents.

According to Big Apple’s attorney Ivy M. Hurt, she, and the owners of Big Apple, met with Hinesville Police and the Hinesville Fire Department, on Feb. 3 so they could review the plan prior to presenting it to the Mayor and Council.

Hurt said they’ve hired Michael Randolph as their new head of security. She said Randolph has a law enforcement background and has received training. Randolph will be the liaison between his team and the City’s law enforcement officers.

Hurt said new security has been added with two individuals working the front, performing ID checks and pat downs, and using security wands. They will have one security team member assigned to the backroom and another team member will be used to float through the establishment, including outside checks to maintain security outside of the establishment. The plan also included:

·        Ongoing training will be afforded to the security team.

·        A security advisor has been added and will provide ongoing support and advice to the establishment on how to best maintain security protocols.

·        All team members will sign an agreement to cooperate fully with the police department and have been instructed to either bring individuals who are causing issues directly to a police officer on site or to call the police department. Failure to do so will result in immediate termination.

·        All team members will be wearing shirts identifying them as security team members of the Big Apple.

·        No trespassing signs are being put in place and will be strictly enforced.

·        No loitering signs are being put in place and will be strictly enforced.

·        A Ban list is being put in place and will be strictly enforced.

·        Cameras have been added to the outside perimeter of the building to aid the establishment and law enforcement in maintaining security.

·        The back of the establishment has been illuminated as proposed by the Hinesville Fire Department and Hinesville Police Department.

·        There is a signed agreement with the Hinesville Police Department for the presence of law enforcement. The Big Apple does seek an addendum listing the days of the week, Wednesday - Saturday, for the presence of off duty officers.

·        Counts will be done every 30 minutes to ensure compliance with the current COVID-19 restrictions on patrons.

There was also a lengthy discussion on whether to rezone a residential property from R-1 to office/industrial for the purpose of developing a new a child development center at 638 S Main Street.

Liberty County Planning Commission Executive Director Jeff Ricketson recommended to approve a special use permit as allowed within residential zones for the childcare center rather than rezone the property to O-I to be compliant with the future land use map of the Comprehensive Plan.

The special use permit would allow the childcare center to be developed without opening the doors for other business establishments to operate on that property in the future if the childcare center closed for whatever reason.

 Allenhurst resident Kamaria Boston is looking to purchase the property and erect two 4,000 square foot buildings for the child development center for about 80-100 children. There is also a 5,000 square foot open pavilion proposed for the future. Boston and the developers must comply with planting and fencing buffers. The existing home will also remain on the site and Boston said she plans to rent space in the existing home as offices, primarily for medical personnel who could serve any special needs children being cared for in her childcare center.

Ricketson explained that if they approved the area as O-I and the childcare center failed, any other business could then inhabit that building without a need to go through City Council for approval.

After discussing the matter, Mayor and Council went against the LCPC’s recommendation and approved the rezoning of the property to O-I, with no special conditions.

The Mayor and council also approved:

To award to J.W. Oliver Construction in the amount of $211,349.00 for the Liberty Transit Sidewalk Infrastructure and ADA Improvements.

To declare certain equipment from the Hinesville Fire Department as surplus so it could be sold.

They approved the architectural and site design for a Tropical Smoothie Café at the former Hardee’s eatery.