Coweta County may soon have an ordinance that could lead to increased safety conditions around retaining walls.

During a recent County Commission meeting, the commissioners debated the merits of who should oversee any increased safety measures around the walls.

Building department head Don Youngblood explained he would be glad to write an ordinance for the commissioners' approval, but said he needed some direction from the board.

Youngblood said the industry standard seems to be building safety rails around walls that are four feet high, but Commissioner Jim McGuffey was not so sure about the height.

“I just think some more research needs to be done,” he said.

Commissioner Charlie Jones agreed.

“I've seen people breaking bones over a one-foot wall,” he said.

The bigger debate surrounded who would oversee any rails around the retaining walls.

Commission chairman Vernon “Mutt” Hunter was adamant that it should not be the Building Department.

“It has nothing to do with the structure of the house,” he said.

Hunter favored having the fire marshal inspect the rails, but Commissioner Lawrence Nelms felt strongly that it should come under the umbrella of the Building Department.

Nelms made a motion to let the Building Department handle the issue, but it died due to a lack of a second.

After Nelms' motion died, the commissioners passed a motion to study the issue further and have Buddy Harrison, who is a registered architect and on the county's staff, to make recommendations to the board.

Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page