Hinesville City Council met Thursday for more than two hours, including an executive session that resulted in no action taken in open session.
Dog training facility
For 45 minutes, the council debated about whether a business that wanted to sell dog nutrition products as well as conduct training for future service dogs violates a city ordinance on keeping animals at certain locations.
The Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission recommended disapproval for a special permit based on a city ordinance that says dog kennels cannot be within 300 feet of any house or building where people live or work, which the business currently is. The discussion focused mostly on whether the ordinance, and Georgia’s definition of a kennel, accurately applied to the business that was being proposed for that location.
The dogs housed on the property that would eventually be donated to veterans did not seem to apply to the “for a fee or compensation” mentioned in the state’s definition of kenneling, according to Councilman Jason Floyd.
The council decided to table the matter until more information could be provided.
Tank, well project
Matthew Barrow with P.C. Simonton and Associates requested authorization to apply for funding from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority for the city’s tank raising and well improvement project.
The project will raise three existing elevated water tanks, according to the agenda, in order to improve water pressure throughout the system. Other improvements to buildings and equipment will also be done.
By submitting the application, a five month-long environmental review process can start. This is a criterion used for evaluating projects for the loan, according to the agenda.
Road restriping
Barrow also presented a list of streets that are the priority for restriping. According to the agenda item, the city was awarded $80,000 in May from the Georgia Department of Transportation for the restriping project. Funding from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax of $34,286 will also go to pay for the project.
Priority areas include South Main Street, Pineland Avenue, West Hendry Street, North Main Street, M.L. King Jr. Drive, East Hendry Street, Sandy Run Drive, Bacon Road and Kelly Drive, for a total of 42,917 feet, according to the agenda.
Other business
A special permit for Carpathia Paws animal shelter and rescue to continue operation was approved by the council. Because it is a shelter, the kennel ordinance does not apply.