[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6208342,"mediaKeyId","3748604-70bd279e129e3e8c082cdbf2f31b0101","parentId",3748604,"title","Planning commission allows mechanical contractor at 3347 Crest Highway, overturns zoning administrator denial","audioSeconds",1221,"startMs",1154000,"endMs",2375000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3748604-70bd279e129e3e8c082cdbf2f31b0101&start=1154&end=2375","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3748604-70bd279e129e3e8c082cdbf2f31b0101/thumbnail_1154000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6208342/Upson-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-allows-mechanical-contractor-at-3347-Crest-Highway-overturns-zoning-administrator-denial","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208342-f9b328ecd69dc41d9c415fbe82066d92/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086865&Signature=fc~ZwLhTtAK3fyK~mtYCzLg2w9ixzAmL-FypaEWMfEBv4uf7LStdIRBYPNEakHLmdtER1nY89sov9HuvSg5Dv7uKpjo3tFxxYvNaa-shfZrtHdEkf9KQwb2r7BU9iIny8QHAfuOGBpMk9SXGQpOjR0ONf8fF3Wg69akqAuwQFpDXqrQ6PwtmQDQDeACUy1GbZmUp4avQnshR51E1RmNJCWYtrBdjOjiJSo-~30wVX9z04CEanYJrZWwOMBOhPf8hG1Yh8KiQmLzsv9ItG9Y9E0zFV2vlp3kt7YdBzlhvsnd90i-LOsC-VAqE~tsPEQjepo4F2piqaxCwVDxeB2Jp9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-11T00:07:01.087Z","article","At the Upson County Planning Commission’s June 9 meeting, commissioners sustained an appeal of a zoning administrator’s decision and cleared the way for a mechanical contracting business to occupy 3347 Crest Highway, a property historically used by Air Tech Heating and Cooling.

Thomas Pollard, the property owner, said he has operated an HVAC business at the site for 24 years and described the prospective tenant’s operations as small and non‑disruptive. \"I've used that business, that property for 24 years,\" Pollard said, recounting the site’s long history of commercial use.

Why it matters: The commission’s decision modifies how the county will interpret certain service and fabrication activities under existing C‑2 zoning and avoids an immediate rezoning application. Staff had denied the tenant an occupational tax certificate on the grounds that the proposed activity is an industrial use more appropriate to M‑1 or M‑2 zoning.

Staff member Doug told commissioners the zoning administrator denied the certificate because, based on materials submitted by the prospective tenant, the operation read as industrial. \"Based on his description and the paperwork they provided...this is an industrial use,\" Doug said, noting that machine shops are listed as permitted uses in M‑1 zoning.

The prospective tenant, Mr. Helms, described the business as a small, project‑oriented mechanical contracting and design firm that would perform in‑house fabrication of one‑off parts as needed. He said about half the work would be manufacturing one‑off parts and that the shop would run typical business hours on a five‑day schedule. \"Approximately 50% of the operations would be manufacturing some one‑off parts or just a small project‑oriented section of parts,\" Helms said.

Staff had recommended upholding the denial under C‑2, explaining that C‑2 is intended for consumer retail and services sold to the general public, while the tenant’s client base was described as industrial and commercial businesses. Commissioners weighed the difference between prior HVAC work at the site — which included fabrication of ductwork and plenums — and the machining and fabrication described by the tenant. Some commissioners concluded the proposed operation was consistent in scale and impact with the prior, long‑standing use.

After discussion a commissioner moved to sustain the appeal and allow the occupation; the motion passed. Following the vote, Pollard said he would withdraw his pending rezoning application to M‑1. \"Yes, sir. I would withdraw,\" Pollard said when asked whether he would drop the rezoning request.

Next steps: With the appeal sustained, staff may proceed with issuing the occupational tax certificate under the county’s administrative process. The property owner withdrew the rezoning application that would have sought to reclassify the parcel to light industrial zoning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Upson County Planning Commission - 06/09/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Upson County Planning Commission on June 9 sustained an appeal and reversed a zoning administrator’s denial, allowing issuance of an occupational tax certificate for a mechanical contracting operation at 3347 Crest Highway (Air Tech building). The property owner withdrew a pending rezoning request after the commission’s decision.","taxTitle","Upson County, Georgia","taxId",28667,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6208347,"Upson County planning commission tables Serenity Lake 94‑lot preliminary plat over utilities, road‑length and amenity questions",346,262000,608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3748604-70bd279e129e3e8c082cdbf2f31b0101&start=262&end=608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3748604-70bd279e129e3e8c082cdbf2f31b0101/thumbnail_262000.jpg","/articles/6208347/Upson-County/Georgia/Upson-County-planning-commission-tables-Serenity-Lake-94lot-preliminary-plat-over-utilities-roadlength-and-amenity-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208347-eed75a340d99d7a2964493272ab967aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086865&Signature=iMqaJzfDiAiW15-t-hkx4FWDOSdSvg9K8ytV4ALLvDKeTyv3BfTtNRQVDEBvmA-nf0bEHJZnlDE~QBh2W5ADZ4ajFicQMw2u-HENrU1WyTzBYuxRaXVW3njp4kaAJHlUgZr3kC32RPPw00ZEpXknI86jtLP4cSD8u9vtM7XGt6XQlEoRzChtM8LiX2p~NWeGfKBTB4b6gvOINb-qh5xlwelRVYc6pYF~W9lh6HJSn3RZdJG8Zf-HYSU2lySHhFjxKSxzry5pZmN9qmUM0xkz3IMfSr5v~HlLXNrq7wMaGlL4zdqm0QwTytyWb19G1xgqpLoa9LzMdhlB25CT3kQ79Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the June 9 meeting of the Upson County Planning Commission, commissioners postponed consideration of the Serenity Lake preliminary plat, a proposed 94‑lot subdivision, after hearing staff and developer presentations and questions about utilities, a long private road that may require a variance and ownership of recreational amenities.

The commission’s delay follows a staff report that summarized 24 review comments and described outstanding issues for the developer to address before final action. \"They were vested,\" staff member Doug said, explaining that the applicants submitted paperwork five days before the county moratorium took effect and are therefore eligible to proceed under the rules in force at the time of submittal.

Why it matters: The preliminary‑plat decision will affect whether the developer may move forward with horizontal improvements — such as roads and utility lines — before filing a final plat. Planning staff warned the commission that if it does not act within 30 days the decision window may require a specially called meeting because the next regular meeting is more than 30 days away.

Developer Dan Springhetti told the commission the current plan shows 94 lots and that the project was drawn using the county’s existing ordinances. \"We're looking at 94 lots,\" Springhetti said while presenting the latest plat. He said two roads were renamed — Serenity Trail and Pinnacle Point — and that Reeves Creek is identified on the plat. He also told commissioners the subdivision currently proposes \"bridal\" roads and that, aside from that long road segment off Alabama Road, no other variances were anticipated.

Staff outlined the principal outstanding items in its 11‑page report. There is no county water or sewer planned for the development; utilities and wastewater will be handled lot by lot, staff said. The report also flagged a possible variance because a private road segment off Alabama Road exceeds the maximum allowed dead‑end length; the developer characterized that run as about 3,000 feet and said the team was trying to avoid a variance but believed a private‑road exception might apply.

The staff report raised other topics commissioners asked about, including surety for completion of improvements (bonds or similar assurances) and consistency with the county comprehensive plan. Staff noted preliminary‑plat approval would give the developer up to two years before returning with a final plat; during that time the developer may construct horizontal improvements but may not sell lots or build homes until the final plat is approved.

Commissioners also discussed whether recreation areas allowed by the AR zoning could be held privately. Staff said playgrounds and similar amenities are permitted uses under AR zoning but that the ordinance currently contemplates public ownership; a variance could be requested to allow private ownership of a community amenity.

After questions from commissioners and the developer, a commissioner moved to table the item to allow members time for further review and to schedule a special meeting. The motion to table was adopted. Commissioners and staff said they will work with the applicant to set a special meeting so the commission can act within the statutory window or at a special called session.

Next steps: The developer will address the redline comments in staff’s report and any requested clarifications on utilities, road design and surety. The commission will reconvene at a special meeting to consider the preliminary plat once commissioners and staff have had additional time to review the outstanding materials.","The Upson County Planning Commission on June 9 postponed action on the Serenity Lake preliminary plat, a proposed 94‑lot subdivision, after staff and the developer identified open issues including lot‑by‑lot water/sewer, a potential variance for a roughly 3,000‑foot private road and whether recreational amenities could be private under AR zoning.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning commission allows mechanical contractor at 3347 Crest Highway, overturns zoning administrator denial

Upson County planning commission tables Serenity Lake 94‑lot preliminary plat over utilities, road‑length and amenity questions