The Hinesville City Council approved amending the city's zoning ordinance relating to nonconforming uses and structures.

Properties that have a certain zoning status before the city implemented its zoning ordinace are allowed to keep its original status. This is known as a nonconforming use or grandfather status.

The city's ordinance did not allow for the grandfather status to stay with the property when it is sold and the property is used for the same purpose.

The amendment now allows for the grandfather status to be transferred to the new owner if the property is used for the same purpose.

J.C. Lewis III requested a special permit use for the continued operation of an automobile dealership at 305 W. Oglethorpe Hwy, originally Hinesville Ford. The request also included expanding to an adjoining parcel behind the Hinesville Fire Department.

City council approved the special permit and expansion.

The fire department willl purchase two 2017 Ford F-150 supercrew trucks from J.C. Lewis Ford. The city opened bids for the trucks with a budget of $56,000 Jan. 20. J.C. Lewis Ford came under budget, with the lowest bid of $51,077.12.

Check back with the Coastal Courier to read the full article.