Meriwether County imposes 90‑day moratorium on R‑1 lot-size applications

The Meriwether County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 25 approved a 90‑day moratorium on new R‑1 single‑family residential land‑use applications to allow staff and counsel to review the county's minimum lot‑size requirements. The motion to adopt the moratorium was made by Commissioner Adam Worsley, seconded by Vice Chairman Jennifer Snelson, and carried unanimously.

County Administrator John Gorton told the Board the draft moratorium had already been reviewed by legal counsel and included language exempting applications submitted prior to enactment; he calculated the moratorium's end date as Nov. 23, 2026. Commissioner Gene King, who has urged stricter minimums, said he preferred a two‑acre minimum now and would consider exceptions for family‑related circumstances if the Board later considers a five‑acre standard. Public commenters urged clearer zoning language and more public outreach; Dustin Owens told the Board, “We the people tell the government what to do; it does not tell us.”