Lights of the South has had its business license revoked.
Columbia County leaders made the decision Thursday because they need the owner to get his permits and inspections up to date before the Christmas attraction can open.
The county has a number of issues with the popular attraction, one of them being the fact that Louisville Road, which is a two-lane road, gets really congested during the Christmas season.
After county leaders said “no” to Benjamin Bell’s proposed water park, they are now saying “no” to the business he’s been running for 10 years.
Officials have a long list of items they want to see done before “Lights of the South” opens again.
“I’m looking through the list I’m going, oh, my God. It’s the same stuff I’ve turned in how many times now? So who am I not giving it to?” Bell said.
Bell says there’s been a lack of communication between him and county leaders.
Officials say Lights of the South cannot reopen until:
– New plans are submitted.
– Documentation for ponds is provided.
– Electrical inspections are done.
– Grease traps are pumped.
– A traffic study is done on the area.
There are several other conditions the county wants met as well.
“The only thing that’s not done on that entire list is the traffic study, which I’m working on now,” Bell said.
But Jim Cox, the planning commission chairman, says that Bell hasn’t provided all of the documents yet.
“The action that triggered this was Mr. Bell asking for a rezoning of S-1 so he could have a water park and Lights of the South on the same piece of property,” Cox said.
Cox says when that happened, it forced the county to take a look at the property to make sure everything was up to code. Plans that were approved 10 years ago may not be up to code anymore.
“We don’t want to be the Grinch that stole Christmas and we want to give him every opportunity to open this winter,” Cox said.
Bell has said that he feels the county doesn’t want his Christmas attraction or his proposed water park in Columbia County, but county leaders say they want both attractions to happen, they just want them done right.
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- Scuttle’s Island Rezoning Tabled Until April, Citizens Disapprove
- County Officials Still Want Water Park to Happen
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- Water Park Developer Says Summer 2016 Opening Possible
- “Lights of the South” Owner Unveils Water Park Plans
- UPDATED ON 6: Water Park Coming To Columbia County
