Lee officials floating ideas for possible 100-acre recreational complex

LEESBURG — The Lee County Commission on Tuesday conducted public hearings on three separate projects, while the green light was given on various public safety and public works needs.

Meanwhile, a public hearing has been set concerning the possible expansion of recreational opportunities in Leesburg.

Leesburg City Manager Bob Alexander addressed the commission concerning the construction of a road and land acquisition for a park. He invited county officials to the table regarding the potential development of a 100-acre recreational complex on Highway 19 as a way to offer more opportunities beyond the current facilities, which he said were overcrowded and in need of improvements.

“We are in the beginning stages to see if they would be interested in developing a recreational complex,” he said. “I think everyone would like to see recreational development. The city would like to see it.”

Alexander said there were funds remaining from SPLOST VI to support such a project, which likely would be located near water and provide canoeing and kayaking opportunities, along with an amphitheatre, trails and horseback riding. Architect and engineering teams are expected to come on board to iron out specifics, the city manager said.

A public hearing, meant to add to the brainstorming effort, has been set for 9 a.m. on May 20 at the Lee County Public Library at 245 Walnut Ave. South.

“I think it would be a tremendous boost, to have a central recreational facility for Lee County and Leesburg,” Alexander said.

Christi Dockery, co-county manger, said the first public hearing on Tuesday concerned the potential placement of a Infinity Health System personal care home at 115 Lumpkin Road on a 2.383 acre tract.

The second was in regard to a variance application from Kenneth Bartow Cannon that would allow a deed dedicated driveway access less than the required 10 feet from an existing structure on a parent track, thereby encroaching side setback for the existing building, at 163 Mayhew Road.

The third was for R&S Farms, which was seeking to split an eight-acre tract from a parent tract on Lumpkin Road and provide 568.71 feet of road frontage.

The Lee County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of all three projects. The hearings on Tuesday preceded the County Commission vote, which is set to take place at its meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 23.

Dockery said the commission approved 10 sets of firefighter turnout protective gear for a total of $15,000, an item earmarked in the current budget year that serves as an annual replacement of the gear.

Bo Johnson spoke in support of a light at the intersection of Old Leesburg Road and Cedric Street, and the county will be sending a letter to the Georgia Department of Transportation so that a study can be conducted. The county also will host an open house of its Public Works office at 759 Highway 32 East on May 24 from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., where the equipment the department uses will be on display.

The roof of the Lee County Courthouse, which was damaged by inclement weather, will be repaired at a cost of $80,000 by S & S Roofing and Construction, while a used ambulance is being purchased as part of the Federal Surplus Program for use by the coroner for $2,500, Dockery said.

Dockery also said there was a bid out for painting the courthouse’s annex building, while a request for proposal was put out for an information technology network upgrade.