Jackson commission acts on new liquor store, landfill and more

A new liquor store is on tap for Jackson County, with the development approved Tuesday by the Jackson County Commissioners in a 4-1 vote, with board member Milton Pittman casting the lone opposing vote.

The development order will allow the package store to be built adjacent to Darbee’s Kwik Stop in Cypress.

The building will include 2,000 sq.ft, with another 7,715 sq. ft. devoted to parking.

In another development decision, commissioners approved the submission of a comprehensive plan amendment for consideration by the Department of Community Affairs.

If subsequently approved by DCA, the amendment would allow Waste Management of Leon County to change the land use on 285 acres of land it bought adjacent to its Springhill Landfill near Campbellton. The land is in five parcels, with the locations separated by State Road 273.

Although, according to the landfill manager, there are not immediate plans to expand the landfill or other WM operations in the area, the change of use from Ag 2 to Industrial status would set the stage for expansion or other industrial uses in the future.

In other action related to development, Jackson County Commissioners went against the recommendations of both the planning staff and the planning commission Tuesday by approving a sign variance that will allow a business to put a 3.6 sq. ft. sign in the Oak Station Shopping Plaza. That’s a larger sign than allowed by code in the area. 

The planning commission itself had departed from staff recommendations in recommending that the business, Hibbett Sports, be allowed to go above code somewhat, to three feet,  but only to that level. Jackson County Commissioners took it a few inches further.

That action came after board chairman Chuck Lockey wondered aloud why the variance should be denied. “If three feet, why not 3.6 feet?,” he asked.

Despite being told that the company had expressed a willingness to keep the sign to 3 feet in keeping with the planning board’s compromise,  county commissioners voted to grant the larger variance anyway.

In comments after the vote, Lockey made reference to the difficulties that the business community at large is going through in these tough economic times.

In other news regarding development, Jackson County Commissioners approved the final plat for the Enclave at Spring Creek, a major private subdivision. The subdivision is to be located on Turner Loop off Highway 90 east of Marianna.