Vote: Garbage battle continues
Planning Commission appointments, variance requests and garbage hearings were heard and voted on during the Blue Ridge City Council’s Tuesday, July 15, regular meeting.
Mike Panter and Phil Barber were appointed to the Planning Commission. Councilman Dr. William Whaley made the recommendation.
The two were voted on separately with Panter receiving “no” votes from council members Angie Arp and Bill Bivins. Since Councilman Jack Taylor was absent, Mayor Rhonda Haight broke the tie, voting “yes” to Panter.
Barber’s appointment received no opposition.
A couple variance requests were heard resulting in the approval for an East Second Street build and the denial for one on McKenney Street.
Both presented similar situations and requested to build above the zoned height limit, referencing topography hardships.
The McKinney Street property received public opposition by an adjoining neighbor, Emily Dunn.
Both properties received multiple comments in favor, however.
Denny Cook spoke to the variances and mentioned the zoning height may need changed.
City Attorney Chuck Conerly added that due to the volume of variance requests the city has been receiving, there may be an issue with the ordinance and how height measurements are defined.
Arp abstained from voting due to owning property on McKinney Street, and Bivens voted no, resulting in a pass failure for that request.
Public hearings were made on two garbage services providers. With both companies, Rhode’s Garbage and Georgia Waste Systems, receiving favor and opposition.
Council members
ultimately voted to approve the two entities.
Opposition came from other garbage haulers that were already permitted in the city.
Justin Owenby with Waste South said he was not in favor due to the fact that he was made to “jump through hoops to the T” to get his permit, calling it
“unfair treatment.”
He also spoke in favor of both entities saying, “So, for the last 16 months, that’s why I’ve kind of been here fighting with y’all is good people wanting to do good, make a living.”
That issue resulted in an ordinance change that went into effect in April.
The prior ordinance limited the number of garbage haulers operating in the city while the new one opened it up to any willing to apply for a permit, among other provisions.
During an administrative update by Mandi Cody, she told of two new recurring events, Second Saturdays on Summit and Food Truck Thursdays, both to be held at the Farmer’s Market.
Cody also told the audience that she has begun working on the 2026 budget and has drafted a timeline.
Additionally, she said they have been researching embezzlement allegations raised at the last council meeting by resident and former Councilman Nathan Fitts involving a previous parking contract.