PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
4 August 2026
Chair Andy Edwards opened the meeting offering a prayer and leading the pledge. The minutes of 16 June 2026 were moved for approval by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Annelle Guthrie, and were approved unanimously. The Chair and the County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe discussed the subdivision standards and the recent proposed changes to those standards, noting that the CE would provide to the Chair the master copy which incorporates the majority of those proposed changes. The Chair said any additional changes will be incorporated for review in the next meeting. The Chair asked for public comments and there were none, with Commissioner David Adams asking for clarification on the last meeting having a quorum. It was clarified that our May meeting did not have a quorum, but our June meeting did.
Columbia Police Officer Jennifer Critcher Dalton discussed 4.53 acres purchased by her parents who will reserve 1.76 acres of those acres for their residence and the balance of the acres is planned for transfer to Ms. Dalton. Due to some earlier lack of information (family owned property and transfer to family, as well as under 5 acres) the final decision was this did not fall under the Planning Commission’s definition of a subdivision and did not require the Commission’s approval. The CE mentioned the family should get all recorded with the Registrar of Deeds, and Brian Marks mentioned ensuring there is a legal description of each lot and will also need a quit claim.
The Chair asked if there were any unfinished business with Tommy Price referring to the above-mentioned updates and wanting certainty that all are included. The CE said he had all from the May meeting (not official meeting due to lack of quorum) and the Chair said some of the updates from June are still in process. Mr. Price said we need to do soon with the CE noting the challenge will be due to the major turnover of members with the upcoming election. Members on the Commissioner who are County Commissioners may not remain with one noting would like to be replaced. Referencing the next Planning Commission meeting dates were discussed for September addressing issues such as having a quorum, holidays, needing to include the meeting date in the paper. After that discussion the Chair said 3 September 2026 will be the next meeting and 12 October 2026 will be the following meeting to allow for public posting of the updates and notice for public hearing.
In New Business Commissioner Terry Jones mentioned receiving public calls on home owners on White’s Lane who have purchased those homes without an approved county road for their access. Commissioner Roger Reedy discussed “strip subdivisions” with the CE commenting the state’s identifying those as not being a subdivision. Brian Marks discussed a bridge that had been filled with debris such as tires, and had blocked the heavy rain filled water flow causing some flood damage to the homes nearby. However, he said this was an “act of God” and everything had been done other than getting the Planning Commission’s approval which was not required at the time. The CE said the “less than 5 acres” needs to be reviewed.
The CE said since this would be his last meeting he thanked all for being here and noted how important continuity would be for the Commission.
A motion to adjourn was made by Tommy Pope, seconded by Brian Marks, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Chair Andy Edwards, Kristen Pfeiffer, Brian Marks, Tommy Price, Tommy Pope, (absent John Haislip and Malcolm Moore) Commissioners Annelle Guthrie, Terry Jones (absent Caleb Savage) Other attendees: County Executive Graham Stowe, Commissioners David Wamble, David Adams, Gayle Jones, Rickie Carpenter, Roger Reedy, and members of the public