TIFTON — The Tifton City Council voted to allow rezoning to accommodate a church, tabled a proposal to change zoning in an area downtown and honored a few retiring city employees during Monday afternoon’s regular session.

Rose Cooksey, an agent for Tifton Banking Company, petitioned the city for a special exception to operate a church at 301 E. 13th St. The location, a 1.6-acre parcel, is zoned Wholesale Light Industrial.

The Greater Tift County Planning and Zoning Commission approved the request on July 18 and the city staff recommended that the Tifton City Council also approve the request, and it did with four conditions.

The proposed building housing the church will be an industrialized building meeting building codes; the development is required to meet all parking requirements of the city’s zoning ordinances; no church services or other regular events can take place outside of the church building; and a 10-foot dense landscape barrier and fence must be installed along the entire east side of the property to buffer the adjacent residential properties from church activities and vehicular traffic noise. There already exists a 6-foot chain link fence on the east side of the property that has vines growing on it. The church will also have to lay out parking spaces to meet code.

James Green, the pastor of the proposed church, said that he believed the church will be an asset to the community.

“We want to go into the neighborhood to help reach people and turn people toward the Lord,” Green said.

Councilman Johnny Terrell expressed last week that some of the people who live near the lot have expressed concern that there would not be enough parking to accommodate the need and that people might park their vehicles in their yards. He asked Green if he had talked to neighbors. Green said he hadn’t and Terrell suggested he discuss the plans with several residents in the community.

Council members unanimously approved the special exception.

Council members also heard from Terrell Haliburton, the current commander of the American Legion Post 559. Haliburton said he wanted to thank the council for supporting the Legion and for placing confidence in him. He said that he has recently completed American Legion certification and extension training and he also thanked the Tifton Police Department for its support.

Haliburton said that the Legion had contributed to the community over the year, adopting and supporting the R. L. Mack Headstart Program, sending children to boys' and girls' camps and contributing food baskets for the needy, as well as other projects.

“Thanks for not only what you have done for our community but what you have done for our country,” Mayor Jamie Cater said.

Also, the council voted to table a petition by the City of Tifton on behalf of business owners located on Commerce Way, Main Street and South Tift Avenue between Fifth and Ninth streets that the zoning in the area be changed from General Business to Commercial Downtown. Council members discussed last week that current zoning requires parking spaces proportional to a business building’s square footage and number of employees. In some cases, the number of parking spaces were unreasonable — for example, with over 30 parking spaces required for Buddy’s Rent to Own on the corner of U.S. Highway 82 and Tift Avenue. The idea is that changing the zoning will loosen the parking requirements and help spur downtown business development.

Vice Mayor Joe Lewis suggested the council study the issue more before deciding it as he had heard from Tifton Police Chief Jim Smith who had some concern with safety issues and parking in the area.

The Tifton City Council also honored several employees on the occasion of their retirements. The TPD honored Lt. Terry Zeigler and Lt. Larry Scarborough, who each have over 35 years with the department. Zeigler and Scarborough were presented the Glock Model 40 semi-automatic weapons they have used during their service with the department.

Another honoree was Tifton Fire Chief Mike Flippo, who is retiring with 36 years of service. Flippo began his career with the city in 1974. Also honored was Capt. Wendall Hall, who was hired the same year as Flippo.



To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.