The Walker County Board of Commissioners held its final regular meeting of 2024. The agenda packet included ordinances addressing broadband service, chicken houses, solar energy systems, bridge replacement and other topics.
The Board adopted new setback requirements for feedlots, poultry, hog and dairy operations. The changes come after a multiyear review of land use regulations to provide for the continued success of local farms, while simultaneously providing protection for all citizens.
In addition, the Board added a new special use permit for Solar Energy Systems (SES). An SES is defined as any system structurally mounted to the ground that is designed to capture energy from the sun and convert it into electricity to be fed into an electric utility’s power grid. The adopted ordinance restricts a SES to commercial and industrial zoning and requires decommissioning no later than 12 months after a SES has stopped generating electricity.
Thrive Regional Partnership presented on the county’s Community Connectivity Plan, while the county agreed to participate in the Georgia Department of Transportation Local Bridge Replacement program to secure funding to replace bridges at Old Bethel Road over West Chickamauga Creek (FY2029) and Glass Mill Road at West Chickamauga Creek (FY2029).
This was also the final Board meeting for Chairman Shannon Whitfield and District 4 Commissioner Robert Stultz.