TODAY'S HEADLINES

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Mark Berryman

[email protected]

The Elbert County Commissioners held three back-to-back-to-back meetings over an almost three-hour marathon meeting and ultimately voted 4-0 to deny a request for a conditional use permit for the Hester Hill Solar project.

The project spanned over 2,000 acres in Elbert County, 900 of which were to become a solar farm expected to generate 150MW of power to the grid.

A called meeting began the process as Hester Hill Solar had asked to postpone the vote until February. The company had previously asked and received permission to move the meeting from December 2023 to January 2024, which was granted. Commissioners voted 4-0 to deny the request to postpone the meeting.

Commissioner Casey Freeman recused himself from voting as the owner of property adjoining the proposed project.

A public hearing followed the called meeting with commissioners hearing from all parties on the project.

Representatives from Hester Hill began with a 46 minute presentation discussing the project. Representatives touted all of the benefits of the solar farm as well as the company’s efforts to reduce negative impacts on the community. The company stated they would exceed all buffer restrictions and environmental standards, would be “good neighbors” to those in the community, and the county would reap financial benefits in the form of tax dollars and capital investments from the project.

After the presentation, __ others spoke on the project, a majority of them against. A representative from Hester Hill also read several letters from landowners who had an agreement with Hester Hill for their property.

After public comment commissioners moved straight into the regular February meeting.

A motion was made to deny the request for conditional use by Hester Hill Solar. In making the motion, Commissioner Chris Alexander said he was basing his decision on two items in the recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Board. Those items state.

County Attorney Bill Daughtry read the two items, which included (1) A lack of adequate provisions made by the applicant to reduce the adverse environmental affects to acceptable levels; and (2) Granting the request would not be a logical extension of the use which would include the damaging value of agricultural or commercial use into a stable neighborhood of well-maintained single-family homes, and would likely lead to a decrease in surrounding property values, neighborhood deterioration, and requests of a similar nature which would expand the problem.

Commissioner Mike Scoggins said one of his primary concerns was the number of roads that would be affected by such a large project.

The vote was 4-0 in favor of denial with Commissioner Freeman recusing himself.

Mark Berryman

[email protected]

The Elbert County Commissioners held three back-to-back-to-back meetings over an almost three-hour marathon meeting and ultimately voted 4-0 to deny a request for a conditional use permit for the Hester Hill Solar project.

The project spanned over 2,000 acres in Elbert County, 900 of which were to become a solar farm expected to generate 150MW of power to the grid.

A called meeting began the process as Hester Hill Solar had asked to postpone the vote until March. The company had previously asked and received permission to move the meeting from December 2023 to January 2024, which was granted. Commissioners voted 4-0 to deny the request to postpone the meeting.

Commissioner Casey Freeman recused himself from voting as the owner of property adjoining the proposed project.

A public hearing followed the called meeting with commissioners hearing from all parties on the project.

Representatives from Hester Hill began with a 46 minute presentation discussing the project. Representatives touted all of the benefits of the solar farm as well as the company’s efforts to reduce negative impacts on the community. The company stated they would exceed all buffer restrictions and environmental standards, would be “good neighbors” to those in the community, and the county would reap financial benefits in the form of tax dollars and capital investments from the project.

After the presentation, __ others spoke on the project, a majority of them against. A representative from Hester Hill also read several letters from landowners who had an agreement with Hester Hill for their property.

After public comment commissioners moved straight into the regular February meeting.

A motion was made to deny the request for conditional use by Hester Hill Solar. In making the motion, Commissioner Chris Alexander said he was basing his decision on two items in the recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Board. Those items state.

County Attorney Bill Daughtry read the two items, which included (1) A lack of adequate provisions made by the applicant to reduce the adverse environmental affects to acceptable levels; and (2) Granting the request would not be a logical extension of the use which would include the damaging value of agricultural or commercial use into a stable neighborhood of well-maintained single-family homes, and would likely lead to a decrease in surrounding property values, neighborhood deterioration, and requests of a similar nature which would expand the problem.

Commissioner Mike Scoggins said one of his primary concerns was the number of roads that would be affected by such a large project.

The vote was 4-0 in favor of denial with Commissioner Freeman recusing himself.

Elberton Police Department reports two felony arrests and 14 misdemeanor arrests

[email protected] – The Elberton Police Department reported the following arrests and incidents for the week of February 5-11, 2024:

February 5

A 42-year-old Hartwell man was arrested and charged with failure to stop at a stop sign; and driving while licenses suspended/revoked as the result of a traffic stop on West Railroad Street.

A 27-year-old Hartwell man was arrested and charged with failure to obey a railroad grade crossing restriction; and driving while license suspended/revoked as the result of a traffic stop on Granite Plaza.

Animal control officers responded to a call on South Oliver Street in reference to a dog running at large.

Animal control officers responded to a call on Brookside Drive in reference to dogs chasing people.

February 6

Patrick Allen Crowe, 20, of Hartwell was arrested and charged with felony driving while license suspended/revoked (fourth or subsequent offense) as the result of a traffic stop on North Oliver Street.

February 7

A 51-year-old Elberton woman was arrested on Forest Avenue on probation violation charges.

A 17-year-old Elberton woman was arrested and charged with misdemeanor simple battery; and four counts of reckless conduct.

A 38-year-old Elberton woman was arrested on Elbert Street and charged with criminal trespass and false swearing.

A 49-year-old Washington man was arrested on Forest Avenue on probation violation charges.

A 19-year-old Elberton man was arrested and charged with simple battery (family violence).

A 61-year-old Elberton man was arrested and charged with driving while unlicensed; failure to stop at a stop sign; and child safety seat violation as the result of a traffic stop on Jones Street.

Officers took a report of disorderly conduct involving juveniles on Mattox Drive.

February 8

A 46-year-old Warrenton man was arrested on West Railroad Street and charged with misdemeanor battery (family violence) in reference to an incident on Feb. 5, 2024.

A 33-year-old Elberton man was arrested on Forest Avenue on probation violation charges.

A 30-year-old Elberton man was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana (less than an ounce); possession of drug-related objects; and speeding as the result of a traffic stop on College Avenue.

A subject came to the Elberton Police Department to report a case of entering an automobile which occurred at Hop-In on North Oliver Street.

February 9

Charly Leann Cain, 34, of Elberton was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine; DUI (drugs); and driving without a valid license.

A 22-year-old Elberton man was arrested and charged with driving while license suspended/revoked; and seat belt violation as the result of a safety checkpoint on West Tate Street.

February 10

A 28-year-old Elberton man was arrested on a failure to appear bench warrant.

February 11

A 50-year-old Elberton man was arrested and charged with DUI (multiple substances); open alcoholic beverage container; and driving without lights as required by law as the result of a traffic stop on Elbert Street.

[email protected] – Encore Productions is preparing for their first performances of the 2024 season. Pippin will be premiering March 15-17 and March 22-24 in the Elbert Theatre. 

Pippin is the story of one young man's journey to be extraordinary. Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne the Great). In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day. 

Directed and choreographed by Sam Brown, Pippin is the perfect show to kick off the new season of live theatre in Elberton. 

Performances will be onstage Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets for performances are $12 in advance, $9 for students/groups and $17 at the door.

This show is rated PG-13 for adult themes. All seating for Encore performances is reserved. Please call the Elbert Theatre Office at 706-213-3109 or email [email protected] to reserve tickets or for more information. Tickets are also available online at bigtickets.com/events/elbert-theatre/.