Pickens County, Georgia

Board of Commissioners

The Pickens County Board will consider and approve amendments to several marshal chapter ordinances, two aviation hangar lease contracts, two memoranda of understanding, and a set of FY 2027 accountability court grants. The meeting also includes public hearings on the discontinuance of the Marshal’s Office and rezoning actions for four parcels. Additional items are a resolution to appoint a county DFCS board member and a quarterly finance report.

• Amendments to Marshal Chapter 1, 13, 21, 38, 54, and 67
• Lease agreements for Aviation Hangar H18 and H19
• MOU with North Georgia Community Action Agenda (MATS)
• MOU with Mountain Education for secondary emergency evacuation site
• Rezoning of parcels at Eagle Perch Rd, Fisher Creek Rd, Hwy 136 W, and Biguns Blvd

Planning Commission

The Pickens County Planning Commission will review three rezoning requests. Each request seeks to change the current zoning to a different classification for a specific tract of land. The commission will discuss the applications and record any decisions or recommendations.

• RZ‑191163 – Dena J. Keeter: 13.32‑acre tract on Highway 136 Connector, rezoning from AG to HB
• RZ‑191179 – Landmark Property Services, LLC: 8.1‑acre tract on Hwy 53 E, rezoning from AG to RR
• RZ‑191180 – Rickey & Tammy Jarrett: 10‑acre tract at 1057 Waleska Hwy 108, rezoning from AG to RR

Board of Commissioners

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners is holding a called meeting on June 23, 2026, solely to convene an executive session. No public discussion or action items are listed; the meeting consists of call to order, executive session, and adjournment.

• Executive session (closed to public) - specific purpose not disclosed in agenda

Board of Commissioners

This is a procedural work session agenda for the Pickens County Board of Commissioners. The only listed items are reports from three department directors and an executive session. No specific decisions, ordinances, or contract actions are identified for discussion.

• Director of Internal Operations Report
• Director of Public Safety Operations Report
• Director of External Operations Report
• Executive session (no public details provided)

Board of Commissioners

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners will vote on three rezoning requests, a text amendment to the county code, and several airport-related items including a hangar lease and a bond issuance. They will also consider budget amendments, an audit presentation, and agreements for the landfill, code enforcement, and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

• Rezone RZ-191138: 17.75 acres at 1369 Fairview Rd. from AG to RR (Jackey Cantrell)
• Rezone RZ-191139: 19.6 acres at 119 Inland Drive from AG to ER (Charles Hoetink)
• Rezone RZ-191151 and Special Use SU-191159: 1.2 acres at 2297 Henderson Mountain Rd. from RR to HB (John Edward Gier)
• Consideration and Approval of Text Amendment to Section 38-620 of Article VIII of the Pickens County Code of Ordinances
• Consideration and Approval of a HOST and Landfill Operation Agreement Addendum with Whitestone Valley Landfill, LLC

Planning Commission

The Pickens County Planning Commission will consider five rezoning applications at its June 8 meeting. The proposals involve changes from agricultural (AG) to estate residential (ER), rural residential (RR), highway business (HB), or neighborhood commercial (NC) on properties across the county. The commission may vote to recommend approval or denial of each request.

• RZ-191144: 740 Eagle Perch Rd & Redtail Hawk Dr – AG to ER & RR (7.5 acres of a 19.26-acre tract, parcels 069 027 001 & 069 027 011)
• RZ-191152: Fisher Creek Rd – AG to ER (3.64 acres of a 34.46-acre tract, parcel 011 022)
• RZ-191161: 5051 Hwy 136 W – RR to HB (1.04-acre tract, parcel 020 032 009)
• RZ-191162: 254 Biguns Blvd & 0 Biguns Blvd – RR to HB (3.0 acres & 8.56 acres, parcels 011 037 002 & 011 037 008)
• RZ-191169: 3418 Refuge Rd – RR to NC (17.0-acre tract, parcel 053D 043)

The commission unanimously approved four rezoning requests for agricultural parcels to residential or business uses. It denied one rezoning request for a 17‑acre parcel on Refuge Road to Neighborhood Commercial, with a 4‑1 vote. All decisions followed staff recommendations.

• Approved rezoning of 6 acres + 1.5 acres at 740 Eagles Perch Rd & 0 Red Tail Hawk Dr (RZ-191144) – 5-0
• Approved rezoning of 3.64 acres at 0 Fisher Creek Rd (RZ-191152) – 5-0
• Approved rezoning of 1.04 acres at 5051 Highway 136 West to Highway Business (RZ-191161) – 5-0
• Approved rezoning of 11.56 acres at 254 & 0 Bigun’s Blvd to Highway Business (RZ-191162) – 5-0
• Denied rezoning of 17 acres at 3418 Refuge Rd to Neighborhood Commercial (RZ-191169) – 4-1

Board of Commissioners

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on a downzone request (DZ 191150) for two parcels in Hidden Cove, then consider several airport-related leases and hangar changes. A key item is a resolution to call a referendum election on November 3, 2026, to allow package store sales of distilled spirits in unincorporated areas. Other business includes a paramedic agreement, an equipment lease, and a change to meeting dates and times beginning in June 2026.

• Public hearing on downzone DZ 191150 (Bonnie Godwin, Hidden Cove, 6.21 and 5.26 acres, parcels 067 052 012 & 067 052 015)
• Resolution to call a referendum election on November 3, 2026, for package store distilled spirits sales
• Consideration of RFP process for future land leases at Pickens County Airport
• Approval of site/use changes for hangars H-12 and H-14 at airport
• Paramedic agreement with Faithful Guardian, LLC

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners approved several items, including a municipal finance equipment lease purchase for ten patrol vehicles costing $906,764.08. Other actions included approving airport land‑lease processes, signage and tie‑down requests, a land‑lease addendum, a referendum on distilled‑spirits sales, a paramedic training agreement, and a change to the meeting schedule. All motions passed with votes of 2 yes and 0 no unless noted otherwise.

• Approved RFP process for future land leases at Pickens County Airport (vote was 2 yes and 0 no)
• Approved sign on east face of Hangar H‑12 (vote was 2 yes and 0 no)
• Tabled future paving on leased property at Hangar H‑12 until June meeting (vote was 2 yes and 0 no)
• Approved three grass tie‑down areas at Hangar H‑14 (vote was 2 yes and 0 no)
• Approved land‑lease addendum for property adjacent to Hangar H‑13, shifting 49,900 sq ft (vote was 2 yes and 0 no)
• Approved referendum election on Nov 3 2026 for distilled‑spirits sales in unincorporated Pickens County (vote was 2 yes and 0 no)
• Approved municipal finance equipment lease purchase for 10 sheriff patrol vehicles ($906,764.08) (vote was 2 yes and 0 no)
• Approved paramedic training agreement with Faithful Guardian, LLC (vote was 2 yes and 0 no)

Planning Commission

The Pickens County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and vote on three rezoning requests and one conditional use application. Properties include 1369 Fairview Rd (17.75 acres, AG to RR), 119 Inland Dr (19.6 acres, AG to ER), and 2297 Henderson Mountain Rd (1.2 acres, RR to HB). A conditional use is also requested for the Henderson Mountain Rd property.

• RZ-191138: Jackey Cantrell – 1369 Fairview Rd, 17.75-acre tract, AG to RR (Parcel 065 084)
• RZ-191139: Charles Hoetink – 119 Inland Drive, 19.6 acres of a 29.61-acre track, AG to ER (Parcel 002 001 007)
• RZ-191151: John Edward Gier – 2297 Henderson Mountain Rd, 1.2-acre tract, RR to HB (Parcel 062A 038)
• SU-191159: John Edward Gier – 2297 Henderson Mountain Rd, 1.2-acre tract, RR to HB conditional use (Parcel 062A 038)

The commission unanimously approved two rezoning requests: 17.75 acres at 1369 Fairview Road from Agriculture to Rural Residential, and 19.6 acres at 119 Inland Drive from Agriculture to Estate Residential. It also unanimously denied a rezoning request for 1.2 acres at 2297 Henderson Mountain Road from Rural Residential to Highway Business. All motions passed with a 5 (in Favor) 0 (Opposed) vote.

• Approved rezoning of 17.75 acres at 1369 Fairview Road from Agriculture (AG) to Rural Residential (RR) – 5 (in Favor) 0 (Opposed)
• Approved rezoning of 19.6 acres at 119 Inland Drive from Agriculture (AG) to Estate Residential (ER) – 5 (in Favor) 0 (Opposed)
• Denied rezoning of 1.2 acres at 2297 Henderson Mountain Road from Rural Residential (RR) to Highway Business (HB) – 5 (in Favor) 0 (Opposed)

Board of Commissioners

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners and the City of Jasper are holding a special called joint meeting to discuss service delivery arrangements. Topics include animal control, fire protection, water supply, and sewer collection and disposal. No votes or decisions are scheduled; this is a discussion-only session.

• Discussion of animal control services between county and city
• Discussion of fire protection service delivery
• Discussion of water supply and distribution
• Discussion of sewer collection and disposal

The board and council approved their respective agendas (County 2‑0, City 5‑0). The meeting was a consensus‑based discussion of service‑delivery issues. Staff were directed to draft proposals for water service improvements and to prioritize resolving individual homes that lack water service. No formal votes were taken on policy changes.

• Approved County agenda (2 yes, 0 no)
• Approved City agenda (5 yes, 0 no)
• Directed staff to develop water service proposals for the County‑City partnership
• Directed staff to identify and resolve priority water‑service cases for completed homes
• Discussed possible intergovernmental animal‑control agreement (no decision)
• Discussed updating fire‑service agreement language (no decision)
• Discussed revising water service delivery maps (no decision)
• Agreed to provide regular updates on service‑delivery progress

Board of Commissioners

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session to receive reports from the Directors of Internal Operations, Public Safety Operations, and External Operations, and to discuss Amwaste, LLC (Whitestone Landfill). No votes are scheduled; the meeting is for discussion only.

• Discussion of Amwaste, LLC (Whitestone Landfill) operations or issues
• Director of Internal Operations Report
• Director of Public Safety Operations Report
• Director of External Operations Report

The May 4 work session consisted of departmental reports and discussions. No motions were voted on, and no actions were approved, denied, or tabled. A proposal to combine future meeting formats was noted for later consideration, and the landfill operating‑hours request was sent for further review.

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing and vote on a downzone request for a ministry in Ranger. The body will also consider airport RFP processes, hangar changes, and a bid for the 2026 SPLOST Asphalt Paving Project.

• Downzone request for For Such a Time as This Ministries of Ludville at 1649 Bryant Loop (AG to INST)
• Rezone requests for Hawthorne Hill, 339 Northside Drive, 662 Keetor Rd, and 1273 Talking Rock Rd
• Approval of RFP process and hangar changes/subleases for Pickens County Airport
• Bid for the 2026 SPLOST Asphalt Paving Project
• Approval of a Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Grant

The Board approved the lowest responsive bid from Colditz Trucking for the 2026 SPLOST asphalt paving project, valued at $3,162,715. It also approved several airport-related actions, rezoning changes, a surplus equipment auction, a criminal justice grant, and appointed Paul Tardif to the Development Authority.

• Approved SPLOST Asphalt Paving Project bid $3,162,715 (2-0)
• Approved site/use change for Hangar H-12 at Pickens County Airport (2-0)
• Approved sublease for Hangar I-02 at Pickens County Airport (2-0)
• Approved declaration of surplus equipment/vehicles and authorization to auction (2-0)
• Approved Criminal Justice Coordinating Council grant (2-0)
• Approved rezones RZ-191110, RZ-191120, and RZ-191121 (2-0)
• Denied rezoning RZ-191111 (2-0)
• Appointed Paul Tardif to the Development Authority (2-0)

Planning Commission

The Pickens County Planning Commission will consider two rezoning requests. RZ‑191131 proposes converting 2 acres of a 13.78‑acre tract at 315 Liberty Lane from agricultural (AG) to high‑density residential (HB). RZ‑191132 proposes converting 10.58 acres at 3228 Hwy 53 East from rural residential (RR) to high‑density residential (HB). The commission will decide whether to approve these changes.

• RZ‑191131 – Bill Roland, 315 Liberty Lane, AG to HB, 2 acres of a 13.78‑acre tract, Parcel #053A 095
• RZ‑191132 – Edward “Scott” McAliley, 3228 Hwy 53 East, RR to HB, 10.58 acres, Parcel #052A 022

The commission approved RZ-191131, rezoning 2 acres at 315 Liberty Lane from Agriculture to Highway Business, with a unanimous 6‑0 vote. It also approved RZ-191122, rezoning 10.58 acres at 3228 Highway 53 East from Rural Residential to Highway Business, with 6 in favor, 1 abstention, and 0 opposed. The board waived the reading of the minutes (4‑0, 1 abstention) and then adjourned the meeting (6‑0). No public comments were recorded.

• Approved rezoning of 2 acres at 315 Liberty Lane from AG to HB (6‑0)
• Approved rezoning of 10.58 acres at 3228 Highway 53 East from RR to HB (6‑1, 0 opposed)
• Waived reading of minutes and accepted them as published (4‑0, 1 abstention)
• Adjourned meeting (6‑0)

Board of Commissioners

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners will consider multiple airport contracts, a downzone for 66 acres on Ridge Trail, and a resolution authorizing approximately $31,000,000 in general obligation sales tax bonds.

• Downzone 66 acres on Ridge Trail & Sutton Rd (RR to AG)
• Consideration of approximately $31,000,000 in GO Sales Tax Bonds, Series 2026
• Consideration of Long-Term Parking Contract at Pickens County Airport
• Consideration of a Brush Truck for Station 13 (Old Grandview Station)
• Consideration of a Rural Fire Defense Cooperation Lease Agreement with Georgia Forestry Commission

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing approximately $31,000,000 of General Obligation Sales Tax Bonds to fund SPLOST projects. It also approved multiple airport lease contracts, a brush‑truck purchase for Station 13, and new building construction codes. The Board denied one rezoning recommendation and approved three others. All votes were 2‑yes, 0‑no unless otherwise noted.

• Approved $31 M SPLOST bond resolution (2 yes, 0 no)
• Approved Long‑Term Parking Contract at Pickens County Airport (2 yes, 0 no)
• Approved purchase of $55,595 brush truck for Station 13, with $40 k community donation (2 yes, 0 no)
• Approved Rural Fire Defense Cooperation lease and MOU with Georgia Forestry Commission (2 yes, 0 no)
• Adopted new building construction codes per state edition (2 yes, 0 no)
• Denied Planning Commission’s recommendation for rezoning RZ‑191082 (2 yes, 0 no)
• Approved rezoning RZ‑191083 (2 yes, 0 no)
• Approved roads and associated infrastructure at The Village at Oak Creek (2 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain)

Planning Commission

The commission will review rezoning requests submitted by several applicants. The proposals include converting agricultural land to single‑family residential on a 10.44‑acre parcel at Hawthorne Hill, changing a residential parcel to a home‑based use on 0.56 acres at 339 Northside Drive, converting agricultural land to residential on 6.21 acres at 662 Keetor Rd, and changing a residential parcel to a home‑based use on 1.93 acres at 1273 Talking Rock Rd. The commission will vote to approve, modify, or deny each rezoning.

• RZ‑191110 – Jordan Deeney (for Sean Catlett): 10.44‑acre Hawthorne Hill parcel #054 097, rezoning AG → SA.
• RZ‑191111 – Andrea Aranguren (for Alejandro Nava): 0.56‑acre 339 Northside Drive parcel #030D 002, rezoning RR → HB.
• RZ‑191120 – Daniel & Carolyn Childers: 6.21‑acre 662 Keetor Rd parcel #013 006, rezoning AG → RR.
• RZ‑191121 – Nancy Maddox (for Galloway Construction and Consulting, LLC): 1.93‑acre 1273 Talking Rock Rd parcel #JA02 036, rezoning RR → HB.

The commission unanimously approved the amendment and adoption of the previous minutes. It approved four rezoning applications: a 10.44‑acre change from Agriculture to Small Agriculture, a 0.56‑acre change from Rural Residential to Highway Business with a five‑vehicle limit (3‑2 vote), a 6.21‑acre change from Agriculture to Rural Residential, and a 1.93‑acre change from Rural Residential to Highway Business. All motions were carried and the meeting was adjourned.

• Approved amendment and adoption of previous minutes (5‑0)
• Approved rezoning of 10.44 acres from Agriculture to Small Agriculture (5‑0)
• Approved rezoning of 0.56 acres from Rural Residential to Highway Business with a five‑vehicle limit (3‑2)
• Approved rezoning of 6.21 acres from Agriculture to Rural Residential (5‑0)
• Approved rezoning of 1.93 acres from Rural Residential to Highway Business (5‑0)
• Adjourned meeting (5‑0)

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet to vote on a recycling and waste diversion grant and the appointment of attorneys as ethics officers. The session includes discussions on land use intensity district change requests and operational reports.

• 2026 Recycling and Waste Diversion Grant
• Appointment of attorneys to serve as Ethics Officer
• Family Connections Fiscal Agent approval
• Hangar H05 application for site change
• Land Use Intensity District change requests

The Board authorized Chairman Kris Stancil to execute a contract with Horizon Clinical to buy about 9 acres on East Church Street for $575,000 and to sign the necessary paperwork, both motions passing 2‑yes to 0‑no. The Board also approved a $33,980 recycling grant, continued as fiscal agent for Family Connections, appointed a panel of attorneys as ethics officers, and approved a Hangar H05 site‑change application.

• Approved purchase of ~9 acres from Horizon Clinical for $575,000 (2-0)
• Authorized Chairman to sign documentation for the Horizon Clinical purchase (2-0)
• Approved $33,980 Recycling Waste Diversion grant (2-0)
• Approved continuation as fiscal agent for Family Connections (2-0)
• Approved appointment of attorneys as ethics officer panel (2-0)
• Approved Hangar H05 site‑change application (2-0)
• Approved amendment to agenda to include Executive Session (2-0)
• Approved amendment to agenda (2-0)

Planning Commission

The Pickens County Planning Commission will discuss four land‑use proposals. Two 145.988‑acre parcels owned by LANDRoCo dba R4 Investments are seeking rezoning to single‑family, employee‑retirement, and rural residential uses. A 1.2‑acre parcel owned by John Edward Gier requests a residential‑to‑hotel change with a special use. A .75‑acre parcel owned by Sherri Taylor proposes a horse‑stable to residential conversion. No decisions are recorded in the agenda.

• RZ‑191101: LANDRoCo dba R4 Investments – 145.988 acres, rezoning to single‑family, employee‑retirement, rural residential (Parcel #055D 107)
• SU‑191103: LANDRoCo dba R4 Investments – 145.988 acres, major subdivision (Parcel #055D 107)
• RZ‑191108: John Edward Gier – 1.2 acres, residential to hotel with special use (Parcel #062A 038)
• RZ‑191067: Sherri Taylor – .75 acres, horse barn to residential (Parcel #049 040 002)

The commission approved the previous meeting minutes unanimously. It denied the rezoning request for 145.98 acres on Pettit Road but approved a special use permit for the same subdivision. The hearing on a group home application (RZ-191108) was postponed to a later date, and a small rezoning of 0.75 acres on Highway 136 West was approved. The meeting was adjourned unanimously.

• Approved minutes with amendments (5-0)
• Denied rezoning of 145.98 acres on Pettit Road (2-3)
• Approved special use for major subdivision on Pettit Road (3-2)
• Postponed RZ-191108 hearing to later date (5-0)
• Approved rezoning of 0.75 acres at Highway 136 West (5-0)
• Adjourned meeting (5-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners will consider and approve several contracts for tie‑downs, parking, and subleases at the Pickens County Airport. Two public hearings will be held on downzone requests for parcels on Hwy 136 West and Yellow Creek Road. The board will also act on rezoning applications for parcels on Worley Crossroads, Talking Rock Rd, Old Jones Mountain Rd, and Hwy 53 West, and will reappoint county clerk and elections board members.

• Public Hearing #1 – Downzone DZ-191067: 0.75‑acre HB to RR on Hwy 136 West (Parcel #013 011)
• Public Hearing #2 – Downzone DZ-191095: 11.07‑acre RR to AG at 908 Yellow Creek Rd (Parcels #068 026 & #068 027)
• Consideration and approval of Tie‑Down #34 contract at Pickens County Airport
• Consideration and approval of sublease of Hangar A-02 at Pickens County Airport
• Rezoning RZ-191059 – Easy Money Ventures, LLC: 66.55‑acre AG to ER on 187 Old Jones Mountain Rd (Parcel #010 029)

The commissioners approved several contracts for the Pickens County Airport, including tie‑down, parking, hangar and sublease agreements. They also approved a CJCC subgrant of $51,224 and a VOCA grant of $61,509. The board authorized rezoning actions for parcels on Hwy 53 West and Talking Rock Rd. Commissioner Tippens was appointed Vice Chairman for 2026.

• Approved Tie‑Down #34 contract at Pickens County Airport (2‑0)
• Approved Long‑Term Vehicle Parking contract at Pickens County Airport (2‑0)
• Approved Hangar C‑03 contract at Pickens County Airport (2‑0)
• Approved Sublease of Hangar A‑02 at Pickens County Airport (2‑0)
• Approved CJCC subgrant award of $51,224 (2‑0)
• Approved VOCA grant of $61,509 (2‑0)
• Approved rezoning of RZ‑191052 (Daniel Barrett) (2‑0)
• Appointed Josh Tippens as Vice Chairman for 2026 (2‑0)

Planning Commission

The commission approved the meeting minutes unanimously. It denied the request to rezone 8.1 acres from Agricultural to Highway Business for a truck parking facility (2‑for, 4‑against). It approved the rezoning of 6.02 acres from Rural Residential to Rural Business for a photography business (6‑for, 0‑against). The meeting was adjourned unanimously.

• Approved meeting minutes (6 in favor, 0 opposed)
• Denied rezoning of 8.1 acres for truck parking (2 in favor, 4 opposed)
• Approved rezoning of 6.02 acres for photography business (6 in favor, 0 opposed)
• Adjourned meeting (6 in favor, 0 opposed)