Dougherty board says no to car dealer

ALBANY — In the end, the Dougherty County Commission chose the “passionate concern of our constituents” over new business by turning down auto dealer Darrel Finnicum’s rezoning request that would have allowed him to set up a satellite lot to complement his successful Finnicum Motors dealership in Lee County.

The commission voted unanimously at its business meeting Monday to deny Finnicum’s rezoning request after Annabelle Stubbs and Alex Willson spoke against the request during a public hearing before the vote. Stubbs said “football stadium-quality lighting,” concerns over wildlife habitat and setting a precedent that would allow bigger businesses to locate near residential developments off Gillionville Road were among her concerns, and Willson said the community would be better served if Finnicum selected an already-abandoned business site to set up his satellite dealership.

“I thought Alex gave them a good big-picture presentation, and I just stuck to the facts,” Stubbs said after the meeting. “The Planning Department said the issue would be decided on facts, so I just pointed out some facts related to the questions that Planning uses to determine the merit of a request.

“I just think C-2 zoning (sought by Finnicum) would open up the possibility to drastic change in the commercial level in our neighborhood, would allow a foothold for other larger businesses. I think Mr. Finnicum understood that.”

Finnicum said that he had not looked deeply into the issues surrounding his rezoning request, but he said he will continue his search for property on which to locate the car lot.

“Things will work out the way they’re supposed to,” he said after the vote. “I’m not really familiar with all of the zoning laws, I just thought that location would be a good one for a satellite store. I do understand the people in that community’s concerns, and I have no hard feelings.

“I’ll just keep looking for the right location.”

Willson, who had mentioned a number of vacant properties in west and east Albany as possible alternative locations, said after the vote that while he’s pleased with the commission’s decision, he hoped staff would work with Finnicum to help him find a better-suited location.

“This was never about opposing Darrel,” Willson said. “His is the kind of business we need in the county. I hope he’s able to find a suitable, better location.”

The commission got some good news at the meeting from insurance consultant Spencer Allen during his report to the board. Allen called the county’s insurance plan the “best performing in our book of business,” opening his report with the notice, “It’s all good news.”

Allen noted that, with insurance costs rising at an annual rate of 8 percent, his group (Insurance Office of America) had actually reduced employees’ costs from $5,800 a year in 2010 to $5,200 last year.

“That constitutes $3 million in savings,” he said.

Also at the meeting, the board named Sharon “Nyota” Tucker to fill the unexpired term on the Hospital Authority of Dougherty County that was created with the recent death of long-time public figure Lamar Reese.

In other action, the board:

— Approved SPLOST IV funding for speed bump installations at Barnaby Drive (at a cost of $3,380) and War Eagle Drive ($8,735);

— Voted to purchase survey equipment for $36,760;

— OK’d a recommendation to pay Ameresco $60,000 for an energy audit;

— Signed off on a memorandum of understanding with Albany State University to help address issues including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking that occur on-campus.