The Porterdale City Council approved the rezoning of .89 acre parcel on the Covington Bypass from Agricultural General (AG) to Commercial General (CG) in its first Council meeting of 2017.

The zoning change request was made by Waffle House, which plans to build the county’s eighth restaurant location at SR 81 and the Covington Bypass.  After a lengthy discussion, the zoning request was approved with stipulations including setbacks and buffers abutting all non-commercial properties, future parking lot access and aesthetic concerns, including the colors of the building’s awnings.

In other news, the council also accepted the donation of a wheelchair ramp equipped bus. The bus was donated by the Newton County School System (NCSS). The Council will research ways to customize the bus exterior to maximize its potential use and to promote the city.

In personnel matters, Councilman Lowell Chambers was appointed Mayor Pro-Tem for 2017. The mayor pro-tem assumes the mayoral duties in the event of the mayor’s absence. In another personnel move, Megan Reid was appointed City Clerk/Treasurer for this year.