With a full board following the swearing in of new commissioners Carl Jones and Nathan Park, the Morgan County Board of Commissioners got to work Tuesday and approved a variance to required setbacks for .29 acres located at 2700 Fairplay Rd., paving the way for the renovation of Fairplay Grocery.
The board approved applicant Nilgovind Das’ proposal, which includes minor additions to the convenience store, the removal of outbuildings, a new fuel canopy and three gasoline pumps, the resurfacing of parking areas, the addition of defined parking and handicapped spaces, and the addition of a new sign.
For conditions, the applicant must use downlight fixtures for any lighting, provide proof that environmental issues, including groundwater and soil contamination, have been resolved, provide evidence that existing underground tanks are compliant or appropriately closed, and provide evidence that the existing well has been tested and is safe to use.
Due to concerns about light pollution affecting the nearby Hard Labor Creek Observatory and neighboring residents, the applicant must also submit a light plan with the times that lights will be in use.
“The store is going to close around 10 or 11 at night so that the light won’t be a distraction all night. It’s not a 24-hour location,” project engineer Darrell Johnson said. “We can do a photometric plan to show the light intensities at certain locations … [Nilgovind Das] is the property owner, so he has assured me he is willing to be a good neighbor, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that the light package meets the neighbors’ specs.”
In other business, the commissioners approved multiple resolutions needed for the tax commissioner’s new term and postponed votes for appointments to the Joint Development Authority Board and Farmland Advisory Board.
District 2 Commissioner Blake McCormack was also named chairman of the BOC, and District 3 Commissioner Ben Riden was named vice-chairman.