Hinesville has a new director in the Department of Inspections. Former director Steve Welborn retired Aug. 30. At the regular Sept. 6 meeting, the majority of council voted George Smith into the new position.
Smith has been with the city since 1994, and has served as a plans examiner and Chief Building Inspector, before his recently appointed position.
Other council business included the approval of variances, rezoning petitions, and business and beverage license applications.
John Baker of Happy Acres LLC, previously filed a variance for a side yard setback to build a carport next to his home. The carport would encroach on the required 10-feet side yard setback, leaving 4.3-feet to the property line. Baker has provided evidence that his neighbor has no issues with the construction of a carport.
At the Aug. 21 meeting, Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission approved the variance request with standard and special conditions, and with their recommendation, council approved unanimously.
The final plat for the Pineridge Subdivison received unanimous approval. All special conditions required by the LCPC were previously met. There were no outstanding concerns or questions that weren’t addressed by LCPC Executive Director Jeff Ricketson or LCPC Senior Inspector Curles Butler, Sr.
Council approved a rezoning petition for 1.36 acres of land at 501 W. General Screven Way to be zoned from C-2 (General Commercial District) to C-3 (Highway Commercial District). The owner, Steven Troha, wants to sell merchandise outside of the store, he said. A City of Hinesville ordinance requires a minimum C-3 zoning to sell merchandise outdoors. Council approved the petition unanimously.
Tatiana Reyes requested a 2018 Alcohol Beverage License for D’Corner, an established restaurant located at 552 W. Oglethorpe Highway, in the old Quizno’s building. According to LCPC Zoning Adminstrator Gabriele Hartage’s memo, the restaurant is only 23.4-feet from the closest residential property line. The ordinance requires at least 25-feet, the memo continued. The other distance of 120-feet to the next residential dwelling was met.
Tax and License Coordinator Yokesha Green said that since one of the two distances couldn’t be met, the license can still be issued with stipulations. Alcohol cannot be sold after 11 p.m. or before 8 a.m. any day of the week. Council approved the license application unanimously.
City Manager Ken Howard presented the application for a business license renewal for Carter Ink and Karma Tattoos and Piercings, operated under the same owner.
Originally, the renewal application received a recommendation of denial from Hinesville Police Department, due to the applicant’s felony arrest record, according to a memo from the police department. A Hinesville City ordinance also states that applicants applying for tattooing business licenses must be brought before the council for consideration, Howard said.
“I have spoken to him personally, and this applicant has served his time,” He said. “He has come back and re-established his business.” Owner Ray Carter participates in local events and supports local causes, according to a letter Carter submitted to Howard concerning the application.
Howard recommended approval to the council, and Nelson agreed with his decision.
“He’s paid his dues, I don’t see why we shouldn’t approve his license renewal,” Nelson said. The motion to approve the application passed unanimously.
Nelson recommended a candidate to fill the position of director for the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority. Board member Sheela Eichhorn submitted her resignation from the HDDA nearly a month ago, Nelson said. The HDDA board members serve four year terms.
“I’d like for council to consider my recommendation for Shonda Mickel to be appointed to the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority,” Nelson said. Although her businesses aren’t downtown, Nelson continued, she has lots of clients that are centered downtown. Council approved her appointment unanimously.
This week began a series of workshops to review the proposed budget. The meetings are 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept.18, Friday, Sept. 21 and Thursday, Sept 27. The workshops are open to the public, Howard said.
A budget hearing will be conducted during the Oct. 4 city council meeting and council will adopt the budget at the Oct. 18 meeting, he said.