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    • COMMUNITY

    GAS STATION IS ON BOCC AGENDA FOR AUGUST 7

    Southwest Georgia Oil is requesting a rezoning for land at U.S. 319 and Bloxham Cutoff

    By WILLIAM SNOWDEN Staff Report

    Southwest Georgia Oil is on the county commission agenda for Monday, Aug. 7 with request for rezoning.
    The proposal has been highly controversial with the company’s plans to build a 16-pump gas station at the corner of U.S. Hwy. 319 and Bloxham Cutoff, a site that has been determined to have underground caves connecting Chip’s Hole to Wakulla Springs.
    Two weeks ago, a citizen initiative to attempt to protect Wakulla Springs died at a commission meeting for lack of a second, and more than 100 citizens who packed the meeting room erupted into boos and catcalls. Three people were removed from the meeting by a deputy.
    The problem as seen by county officials is that they cannot do a setback from a cave more than 100 feet below ground –  because there is no surveyor who can put stakes in the ground and certify that this is where the cave is.
    Two weeks ago, citizens came in with a proposed ordinance based on other governments’ setbacks – but those setbacks regulated by other governments were from aboveground features, not something far underground.
    County Planning Director Somer Pell has said she would work with developers to keep underground tanks away from underground caves.
    Divers with the Wakulla Karst Plain Project have mapped the caves under the property, and they appear to cross the tract in a part of the nothernmost section, and a bit of the southern section.
    Citizens are concerned that gas spills at the gas station would pollute drinking water and Wakulla Springs.
    Noting that the Aug. 7 meeting is likely to draw a huge crowd, County Administrator David Edwards has suggested that the location may need to be moved to the community center on Trice Lane. Currently, the meeting is still advertised to be held at the commission chambers.
    If an overflow crowd does attend, the commission may need to call a recess and then restart the meeting at the community center.