Board of Commissioners, October 20, 2026
Approved: $5 million GEFA grant for Cornish Creek plant expansion, 5-0
What happened
On October 20, 2026, Newton County approved $5 million GEFA grant for Cornish Creek plant expansion (5-0).
Newton County Board of Commissioners approved, 3-2, a settlement with T-Mobile South and GST Capital Partners allowing a 175-foot cell tower (reduced from 195 feet) at Highway 81 and Cowan Road in exchange for dismissal of attorney fee and damage claims.
- Jurisdiction
- Newton County, GA
- Governing body
- Final authority
- Date
- October 20, 2026
- Decisions
- 12 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Approved, 5-0
Projects in this meeting (1)
A project bundles every related decision, across hearingsZoning, FLU and overlay map ordinance tabled
Awaiting final voteFree sample: decision 1 of 12
Settlement with T-Mobile/GST for cell tower at Highway 81 and Cowan Road
The board approved a settlement of T-Mobile South et al. v. Newton County. The case arose after the board denied, in April, a conditional use permit for a 195-foot cell tower on R-2 zoned property at Highway 81 and Cowan Road. The settlement allows a 175-foot tower, and all claims for attorney fees and damages will be withdrawn. Vote 3-2; Commissioner Henderson and one other member opposed.
- tower height reduced to 175 feet
- claims for attorney fees and damages withdrawn
The other decisions are listed below. Available full write-ups and conditions are included with Pro.
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Key Decisions (12)
Settlement with T-Mobile/GST for cell tower at Highway 81 and Cowan Road
No objection to Covington annexation of R5 Holdings property at Highway 36 and Piper Road
Rezoning for multi-tenant retail at Highway 81 and Cowan Road
UDO update adoption tabled
Zoning, FLU and overlay map ordinance tabled
10-foot trail easement to Square and Neely Farms LLC
$5 million GEFA grant for Cornish Creek plant expansion
Crack sealing contract for Dixie Road and SR 213
GDOT traffic monitoring pilot
Fund juvenile court position through December 31
Fisher and Phillips invoice not paid
Break the Cycle grant
Full write-ups and conditions for all 12 decisions in Pro.
Zoning Changes (1)
Development Activity (3)
175-foot cell tower at Highway 81 and Cowan Road
Infrastructure
Multi-tenant retail building at Highway 81 and Cowan Road
Commercial
R5 Holdings commercial expansion at Highway 36 and Piper Road
Commercial
Market Signals (3)
Infrastructure
Residents report that the Highway 36 corridor near Piper Road…
Sentiment
The rezoning moratorium pending UDO adoption has lasted about 18…
Infrastructure
A $5 million grant supports the Cornish Creek water plant…
Who spoke
14 distinct speakers; 8 identified names.
All speaker roles: 3 Staff, 5 Commissioner, 3 Public, 2 Attorney, 1 Chair.
Identified name roles: 3 Staff, 2 Commissioner, 2 Attorney, 1 Chair.
Speaker sample: James Brown, Staff.
7 more identified names in Pro: 2 Commissioner, 2 Staff, 2 Attorney, 1 Chair.
Full speaker roster in Pro
Meeting audio
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Audio in Pro
Zoning terms (16)
63 recorded timestamps
- annexation (14 timestamps)
- public hearing (7 timestamps)
- approved (2 timestamps)
- motion to approve (1 timestamps)
- zoning (14 timestamps)
- rezoning (3 timestamps)
Decision moments (12)
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Go deeper on this meeting
12 recorded decisions, 3 conditions across 2 decisions. Available full write-ups are included with Pro for Newton County.
Full write-up and conditions in Pro
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