The meeting commenced with the election of an interim chairperson due to the absence of both the chair and vice chair. A member named August was nominated and unanimously elected to serve as the interim chair. The first major topic was a rezoning application numbered Rez 24-000000008, presented by Georgia Pacific Paka LLC and represented by Heal Associates Incorporated. This application sought to change the zoning of a 16.512-acre portion of a 23,797-acre parcel from agricultural to industrial heavy (IH), located at the intersection of County Road 216 and US Highway 17 in Paca. The applicant aimed to establish a semi-truck parking lot along with an inspection station.

The staff recommended the approval of the zoning map amendment, asserting that it aligns with the goals and policies of the Putnam County comprehensive plan and is compatible with existing development. Notably, the site includes approximately 3,145 feet of road frontage on County Road 216 and 2,145 feet on US Highway 17, with an estimated 30 acres of wetlands present. The staff highlighted the potential visual impact.

Concerns arose among board members regarding the ownership of adjacent parcels and potential future uses of the land post-rezone. Specific issues were raised about whether the site might deteriorate into an area filled with dilapidated vehicles, citing a previous case where a similar situation occurred. Staff clarified that enforcement would largely depend on public complaints if such issues arose. Additionally, any further development would require review by the Development Review Committee (DRC).

Laura Dietrich from Heal Associates addressed the board, providing clarification on certain queries. She noted that significant wetlands within the larger parcel made parts of it unusable for industrial purposes. Dietrich emphasized that if any substantial future changes were proposed, they would need to come before the board again for consideration. She further elaborated on the need for the zoning amendment.

Another topic discussed was the reorganization of numerous parcels previously associated with Georgia Pacific, managed by Georgia Pacific Paka LLC. This process involved consolidating the land into a single entity, simplifying ownership, and ensuring all land was recognized under the appropriate title. The restructuring was necessary before submitting the rezoning application. The complexities included addressing historical easements related to a rail line and clarifying the intended use of the newly proposed tractor trailer parking lot. The current proposal involves approximately 508 designated spaces, with potential for future building expansions.

During the public input session, residents Wendy Broak and Hunter Atkins, living on North Highway 17 in Paca, expressed concerns about how the proposed changes might affect their property. They were informed that their property was across Highway 17 from the subject property and that while they were within the notification radius for the zoning case, the current application did not directly impact them.

The council unanimously voted in favor of the rezoning request. This approval meant the case would proceed to the County Commission for a public hearing scheduled for September 24th.

Before adjourning, the meeting also mentioned a forthcoming rezoning application for the Tiffany Village subdivision in Crescent City. The application deadline for additional cases had passed. The meeting concluded with the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting, which passed without opposition.