The Pickens County Planning Commission convened on January 8, 2024, to address several zoning requests and community concerns. The meeting commenced with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the approval of previous minutes without any old business to discuss.

The first item on the agenda was a hearing for RZ190592, where applicant Brandon Kent sought to rezone 2.31 acres from Rural Residential (RR) to Suburban Residential (SR). Kent explained that the rezoning would allow him to divide the property into two separate parcels, which currently contain two residential dwellings. The Planning Commission staff recommended approval, noting that all criteria had been met. The motion to approve the rezoning was unanimously supported by the board.

Next, the commission opened a hearing for RZ190593, where the applicant, identified as Molly, requested to rezone 5.71 acres from Agriculture to Rural Residential. This change would facilitate the establishment of a future residential site. The staff again recommended approval, citing that the current agricultural zoning was nonconforming. The board approved the motion without opposition.

The final hearing addressed RZ190597, proposed by Bagwell and Spears LLC, which sought to rezone 33.61 acres from Agriculture to Suburban Residential for the development of a nine-lot estate subdivision. The developers expressed their intent to create a private gated community, with water supplied by wells. The commission discussed various aspects of the proposal, including road maintenance and community covenants. After thorough discussion, the board moved to approve the rezoning request.

Throughout the meeting, community members were encouraged to voice their opinions, and several did, expressing support for the proposed developments. The commission emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue among attendees, especially given the differing views on the zoning changes.

In conclusion, the meeting progressed efficiently through the agenda, with all proposed rezonings receiving favorable recommendations from the Planning Commission. The outcomes will now be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final decisions. The next steps for the applicants and the community will be closely monitored as these developments unfold.