Brown Approves Senior Living Facility

At today's public meeting, Bartow County Commissioner Clarence Brown approved the rezoning of 12.46 acres at Burnt Hickory Road and Cline Drive to allow a proposed senior living facility, but without the condition recommended by the Planning Commission.

According to , the commission had recommended the condition that only the senior living facility be allowed if the property were rezoned to C-1, commercial, from A-1/I-1.

Neighbors had been concerned the developer would not complete the project and place other commercial uses on the property, such as a convenience store, according to Jeff Watkins, who represents the applicant, Emile Picard.

Watkins asked Brown not to impose the condition, and Picard cited it was too limiting to a developer who has not yet secured funding.

Despite a reported packed house at the Planning Commission meeting, no one opposed to the development spoke at the commissioner's meeting.

The senior living facility near another such facility called Waldrop would include 156 assisted living units, pathways, a lake, vegetable garden and green house, Watkins said.

“This facility will be like no other,” Watkins said. “This proposed development is going to be something nice for Bartow County.”

In an unrelated move, the commissioner approved rezoning for 3.5 acres at Parkerwood Road and Highway 41 from R-2 to C-1 to allow for commercial development.

Brown also:

• Declared certain county-owned property surplus and authorized the sale of it through GovDeals Internet Auction Service.

 • Renewed an agreement with Community Health Network to deliver and manage the County Employee Health and Wellness Program.

• Re-appointing Bob Poston to the Northwest Regional Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Board.

• Re-appointed Ed Brush, Paul Battles and Eric Strickland to the Development Authority of Bartow County.

• Entered an agreement with CSX Transportation for improvements to the intersection of Euharlee Road at GA Highway 113. Brown said the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax project involves upgrading the railroad crossing with a new lighting system.

• Amended Chapter 75 of the Code of Bartow County relating to future water rate increases.

“We have had increases from the people we buy water from, so we have to account for that,” Brown said.

It will be automatic 4.5 percent hike, according to Water Department Director Gene Camp, which equates to less than $1 per month for most residences.

Also at the meeting, National Director of American Water Works Association Gary McCoy presented Camp with a national award. McCoy said the prestigious Fuller Award is given to one member once a year for his work on behalf of the AWWA.