Special to the Herald

SPRINGFIELD – Extra sets of hands are in position to help the Effingham County Board of Commissioners maintain balanced growth that reflects the needs and best interests of its constituents.

During its meeting Dec. 3, the board approved a Stakeholder Committee that will collaborate with Development Services in the rewriting of Article IV-Zoning Districts of the Effingham County Ordinance. Development Services sought applications for the committee last month.

Committee members Kim Iler, Jake Patrick, Dee Moncrief, Ryan Thompson, Carol Stone, Lyndsay Smith, Mark Arrington, Tommy Morgan, Jeremy Zeigler, Brandt Herndon, Jacob Lang, Brad Cowan, Brittany Dasher, Gina Bass, Brian Pepe and Tony Sapp will review and provide feedback on the draft ordinance, including any proposed additions, deletions or modifications. Their expertise and perspective will help ensure that the final document is balanced and in the best interest of all parties.

“This staff and this board have put a lot of time into looking at our zoning districts and we want to try to find whatever we are missing, what we are overcomplicating, overthinking,” Board Chairman Wesley Corbitt said, “but also trying to protect the character and rural feel of our county as much as possible.”

The committee’s initial meeting is slated Dec. 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Effingham County Administration Complex, 804 S. Laurel St. The agenda includes:

·       Introduce participants and discuss expectations for collaboration

·       Outline the purpose of the zoning districts rewrite and the goals for the process

·       Provide an overview of the project timeline and key milestones

·       Discuss action items and assign specific tasks

·       Address potential issues and risks associated with the project and explore solutions, and

·       Define next steps, including scheduling follow-up meetings and setting future goals.