Pickens County will soon have a new ordinance. During its monthly meeting this week, the Pickens Planning Commission continued to flesh out its events ordinance. The issue came up a few months ago when the Rally in the Valley music event was held on a 193 acre property, formally used as the Arcadia Wildlife Reserve. The August event forged a few concerns regarding noise and alcohol sales, moving the county to draft a new events ordinance. As such, County Attorney Phillip Landrum III delivered an update at Monday’s meeting with several possibilities for the ordinance, which has been in the works since August.

According to Landrum’s discussion this week, one recommendation for the ordinance is establishing a director. The director would be part of the emergency management system and would primarily be in charge of events. The director would accept applications for events and make recommendations to the commissioner (or board of commissioners after the new board is sworn in January) for approval. Applicants, Landrum said, would have to give the county enough notice before the event, so the public would have ample time to make comments and the county time enough to make appropriate preparations. This would also allow the county enough time to weigh the worth of the applications. Landrum also said it should address the sale of alcohol at events.

During the discussion, one citizen asked how the county would address the noise aspect of events in the new rule. Here, he referred to the last event, asking if there was a way to address the issue of noise in the ordinance. Landrum agreed that this could also be addressed in the ordinance, but did not offer any specific recommendation on the matter.

Landrum pointed out that any changes to the ordinance will require two public hearings, saying that he doesn’t expect the new ordinance to be approved until after the New Year, when the new board of commissioners is sworn in.

In January, the Pickens County Government will move to a three member board, a move previously passed by voters. The new board will consist of a district one commissioner, district two commissioner, and a chairman. Republican Jerry Barnes won the August Primary Run-off for the district one post against Marty Callahan. Barnes faces Democrat Sally Bradley in the November Election. Current Sole Commissioner Robert Jones won over Candidate Wesley Weaver in the July Contest, along with Becky Denny for the district two post. Denny and Jones are unopposed in the November contest.

Also during the meeting, Lamar Cantrell presented a rezoning request to the board on behalf of Lenny Brown. Mr. Brown requested to rezone 6.319 acres of land (a combination of two parcels) at Cove Road from Rural Residential and Agricultural to Small Agricultural. In a recent letter to the county, Brown explained he plans to use the land for a boarding and training facility for dogs.

“I am currently working with Trinity Custom Homes on building a facility that would offer a clean, noise controlled, classy establishment that I believe will bring revenue into the city of Jasper,”

he wrote. He went on to explain the facility will offer a place for residents of Bent Tree and Big Canoe to board their dogs while they enjoy all Jasper has to offer.

In his talk during the meeting, Brown addressed the issue of noise, saying that the combination of rotating the number of dogs allowed outside and the activities for them inside will reduce the noise level. He also said the facility will likely consist of two buildings and that the property will be fenced-in.

The board approved the request unanimously.