A request for industrial zoning was denied by the Locust Grove City Council at its January 3 regular meeting.

HFG Development, LLC of Stockbridge applied for rezoning of 36.436 acres, which included multiple tracts, from RA (Residential Agricultural) to M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing) so that a pair of 75,000-square-foot warehouses could be built. The property is on the northern end of the city, west of Hwy. 42 between Colvin Drive and Pine Grove Road.

City staff recommended approval of the applicant’s request with conditions, but the council struck down the request as a motion to deny passed with a 4-2 vote.

In other business, two ordinances amending the police department’s standard operating procedure were approved unanimously. A section was added pertaining to criminal investigations/missing persons, and another section was added related to social media.

Aggie Combs and Rod Shearouse were reappointed to the Downtown Development Authority for six-year terms. Rachel Devitt and Jeff Mills were reappointed to the Historic Preservation Commission to serve three-year terms.

The council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Georgia Department of Transportation for work along I-75 for the Commercial Vehicle Lanes Project, an investment of nearly $2 billion for truck lanes between Bethlehem Road and I-475. The agreement involves certain design and construction costs related to utilities, according to a city staff report.

An ordinance regarding city officer appointments for 2022 was approved unanimously. Officials noted that appointments were essentially unchanged from the previous year with the exception of mayor pro tem, which is rotated on the council every year. This year Keith Boone will assume that post.