Jefferson, Georgia
Upcoming
Historic Preservation Commission - Regular Meeting
The commission will consider filling a vacant seat (previously held by Len Sturkie) and elect officers for the coming year. They will also approve minutes from April and June meetings and receive announcements about the Statewide Historic Preservation Conference and PorchTales 2026.
- Fill vacant seat; applicants include Caroline Bryson, Blake Ledbetter, Joey Blackstock, Casey Emmett, Chris Thomas
- Election of officers
- Approval of April and June meeting minutes
- 2026 Statewide Historic Preservation Conference (Nov. 4-6, Decatur, GA)
- PorchTales 2026 update (20 porches, 25 musicians signed up)
Recent meetings
City Council - Voting Session
The Jefferson Historic Preservation Commission will recommend an appointee to fill the vacant seat previously held by Len Sturkie, elect officers for the coming year, and approve minutes from April and May 2026 meetings. The board will also receive announcements about the 2026 Statewide Historic Preservation Conference and PorchTales 2026.
- Recommendation to fill vacant HPC seat (previously held by Len Sturkie)
- Election of HPC officers
- Approval of April 9, 2026 minutes
- Approval of May 14, 2026 minutes
- Announcements: 2026 Statewide Historic Preservation Conference (Nov. 4-6, Decatur) and PorchTales 2026
City Council - Work Session
The City Council will hold a work session to discuss several items, including a resolution to transmit the 2026 annual update of the Comprehensive Plan and a new pawnbroker ordinance. Other agenda items include a monthly financial report and the reappointment of Tammy Smith to the Jackson County Library Board of Trustees. The meeting is a discussion session; no final votes are expected.
- Resolution 26-08: Transmittal of the 2026 Annual Update of the Comprehensive Plan and Community Work Program
- Ordinance 26-01: New Jefferson Pawnbrokers Ordinance
- Monthly Financial Report for review
- Reappointment of Tammy Smith to Jackson County Library Board of Trustees
- Discussion of previous rezoning requests (R-26-J04, R-26-J05, V-26-J07) postponed from prior meetings
The City Council adopted Resolution 26-08 and the 2026 annual update to the comprehensive plan and community work program, both by 4-0 votes. Ordinance 26-01 regulating pawnbrokers was also adopted 4-0, and Tammy Smith was reappointed to the Jackson County Library Board of Trustees. The council received the monthly financial report as a presentation and heard public comments on traffic safety, police recruitment, and other concerns.
- Adopted Resolution 26-08 Comprehensive Plan Transmittal (4-0, Mayor abstaining)
- Adopted 2026 annual update of Community Work Program and Capital Improvements (4-0, Mayor abstaining)
- Adopted Ordinance 26-01 Jefferson Pawnbrokers Ordinance (4-0, Mayor abstaining)
- Reappointed Tammy Smith to Jackson Co. Library Board of Trustees (4-0, Mayor abstaining)
- Approved agenda as presented (unanimous)
- Amended agenda to allow Chief Bannister to respond to public comments (unanimous)
Jefferson & Talmo Planning Commission - Regular
The Planning Commission will hold public hearings and vote on three applications from Stone Mountain Industrial Park for a 157.99-acre site on Sealy Crossing and Raford Wilson Roads: a rezoning to modify conditions (buffer reduction, impervious surface increase, traffic study waiver), a conditional use permit for metal manufacturing, and a variance to increase parking. Staff recommends approval for all three. The commission will also review the City of Jefferson Comprehensive Plan.
- R-26-J03 Rezoning: modify conditions of LI zoning — reduce buffer from 200 to 50 ft on east border, increase impervious surface from 35% to 40%, waive traffic study
- CU-26-J02 Conditional Use: permit for metal manufacturing (light fabrication and assembly) in LI district
- V-26-J06 Variance: increase maximum parking from 1 to 3 spaces per 1,000 sq ft
- Review of City of Jefferson Comprehensive Plan
- Approval of May 4, 2026 minutes
Downtown Development Authority - Regular
The Jefferson Downtown Development Authority will hold a regular meeting to approve minutes and hear a presentation by Kirby Glaze. The meeting also includes staff announcements and public input. The agenda is largely procedural aside from the scheduled presentation.
- Presentation by Kirby Glaze
- Approval of April 2026 meeting minutes
Historic Preservation Commission - Regular Meeting
The Jefferson Historic Preservation Commission will vote on a minor Certificate of Appropriateness (COA 26-01) for a painted wall sign on the rear of the building at 16/18 South Public Square. Staff recommends approval. The board will also approve minutes from the April 9 meeting and hear about the 2026 Statewide Historic Preservation Conference.
- COA 26-01: Minor COA for a painted wall sign on the rear of 16/18 South Public Square (parcel J06/062) — staff recommends approval
- Approval of April 9, 2026, meeting minutes
- Announcement: 2026 Statewide Historic Preservation Conference, Nov 4-6 in Decatur, GA
City Council - Work Session
The council will discuss three related applications for a 25-acre tract south of US 129: rezoning for a 5-lot commercial subdivision (C-2) and 114 townhouses (MFR), plus a variance to reduce front setbacks. The planning commission recommended denial on all three; staff recommends conditional approval. Other items include a resolution with Southeast Corrections, budget adjustments, and DDA appointments. No votes are expected at this work session.
- R-26-J04: Rezone 10.1 acres from R-2 to C-2 for a 5-lot commercial subdivision on US 129 (staff: approval conditional; planning commission: denial)
- R-26-J05: Rezone 15 acres from R-2 to MFR for 114 townhouses (staff: approval conditional; planning commission: denial)
- V-26-J07: Variance to reduce front building setback from 30 ft to 10 ft for the townhouse project
- Resolution 26-07: Approval of agreement with Southeast Corrections
- DDA appointments: Melissa Wood and Angie Sprayberry recommended
The Jefferson City Council approved three rezoning and variance requests for E W C Commons LLC near U.S. Highway 129, allowing a commercial subdivision and 114 townhouse units that will change land use in the area. The council also passed budget adjustments, adopted a rental fee schedule, approved an agreement with Southeast Corrections, and appointed two members to the Downtown Development Authority, which oversees local business development and property maintenance.
- Approved rezoning of ~10.1 acres from R-2 to C-2 for a 5-lot commercial subdivision (4-2)
- Approved rezoning of ~15 acres from R-2 to MFR for 114 townhouse units (4-2)
- Approved variance reducing front building setback from 30 feet to 10 feet for the townhouse project (4-2)
- Adopted budget adjustments with Mayor Maddox recused (5-0)
- Approved agreement with Southeast Corrections with Mayor Maddox abstaining (5-0)
- Appointed Melissa Wood and Angie Sprayberry to the Downtown Development Authority (4-1)
- Adopted new rental fee schedule with Mayor Maddox abstaining (5-0)
Jefferson & Talmo Planning Commission - Regular
Downtown Development Authority - Regular
The Downtown Development Authority will discuss a recommendation to City Council for appointing new board members. The board will also review March financials, compare money market vs CD options, and approve February minutes. No major rezonings or contracts are on the agenda.
- Recommendation to City Council for appointment to DDA board member vacancies
- Review of March financial statements and comparison of money market vs CD interest rates
- Approval of February 2026 meeting minutes
- Public input period
City Council - Voting Session
The Jefferson City Council will hold a voting session on April 27, 2026, to decide several rezoning applications and variances. The most contentious items involve proposals for 114 townhouses and a 5-lot commercial subdivision along U.S. Highway 129, where planning staff recommends approval with conditions but the planning commission recommends denial. Also on the agenda are a rezoning for light industrial use on Dry Pond Road, a police department presentation, and reappointments to city boards.
- R-26-J02: Rezoning of 9.32 acres on Dry Pond Road/Horace Head Road from C-2 to Light Industrial (staff and planning commission both recommend approval).
- R-26-J04: Rezoning of 10.1 acres on U.S. 129 from R-2 to C-2 for a 5-lot commercial subdivision (staff recommends approval conditional; planning commission recommends denial).
- R-26-J05 & V-26-J07: Rezoning of 15 acres from R-2 to MFR for 114 townhouses and a variance to reduce front setback from 30 to 10 feet (staff recommends approval conditional; planning commission recommends denial).
- Presentation by the Police Department and a presentation on Ghost Brands.
- Reappointments of Lamar Roberts to the Downtown Development Authority and Don Kupis to the Historic Preservation Commission.
City Council - Work Session
The council will hold public hearings on three rezoning requests and a variance. The most notable are two requests from E W C Commons, LLC to rezone 10.1 acres to commercial (5 lots) and 15 acres to multiple-family residential (114 townhouses), plus a variance to reduce the front setback. A third request seeks to rezone 9.32 acres from highway commercial to light industrial. The planning commission recommended denial for the E W C Commons items, while staff recommended approval conditional.
- R-26-J02: Rezone 9.32 acres at Dry Pond Road (SR 82) and Horace Head Road from C-2 to LI (light industrial).
- R-26-J04: Rezone 10.1 acres on US Highway 129 from R-2 to C-2 (commercial subdivision, 5 lots).
- R-26-J05: Rezone 15 acres on US Highway 129 from R-2 to MFR (114 fee-simple townhouses).
- V-26-J07: Variance to reduce front building setback from 30 feet to 10 feet for the 15-acre townhouse site.
- Planning commission recommended denial on R-26-J04, R-26-J05, and V-26-J07; staff recommended approval conditional.
Historic Preservation Commission - Regular Meeting
The Jefferson City Historic Preservation Commission will hold a regular meeting to approve minutes from December 2025, address a board vacancy, and discuss PorchFest 2026 and downtown business activity. No old business is on the agenda.
- Board vacancy to be filled
- Discussion of PorchFest 2026
- Update on downtown business activity
Jefferson & Talmo Planning Commission - Regular
The Jefferson-Talmo Planning Commission will hold public hearings on three rezoning requests and one variance on April 6. Among the items is a proposal to rezone 15 acres from residential to multi-family for a 114-unit townhouse development, plus a related setback variance. Staff recommends approval with conditions for the townhouse rezoning and variance, and approval for a light industrial rezoning on Dry Pond Road and a commercial rezoning on US 129.
- R-26-J05: Rezone 15 acres from R-2 to MFR for 114 townhouses (staff recommends approval conditional)
- R-26-J02: Rezone 9.32 acres from C-2 to LI for light industrial on Dry Pond Road and Horace Head Road (staff recommends approval)
- R-26-J04: Rezone 10.1 acres from R-2 to C-2 for a 5-lot commercial subdivision on US 129 (staff recommends approval conditional)
- V-26-J07: Variance to reduce front setback from 30 to 10 feet for the 15-acre townhouse parcel on US 129 (staff recommends approval conditional)