Bullock County tables zoning text amendments after public comment on Savage Trails ATV park

The Bullock County Board of Commissioners on a voice vote agreed to table a proposed set of zoning text amendments after an extended presentation by planning staff and more than an hour of public comment focused on Savage Trails, a privately operated ATV/mud-park in unincorporated Bullock County.

Planning and development director James Pope presented a multipart draft amendment to Appendix C of the Bullock County Code (the county zoning ordinance) that would add or revise definitions (townhouse, multifamily), add new uses (microbreweries, brewpubs), create supplemental standards for go‑kart/ATV/motorbike tracks and trails, clarify accessory dwelling rules, and authorize conservation subdivision standards. Pope told commissioners the changes were intended to clarify administration and to allow uses common in other communities while offering parameters for potentially noisy or commercially operated outdoor recreation.

Why it matters: the package would change the county—ode in ways that affect where housing types can be built, how rural recreational uses are regulated, and whether some existing rural enterprises can continue unchanged. The item drew focused public comment from riders and supporters of Savage Trails, who urged the board to recognize the park as a lawful, preexisting use (a "grandfathered" operation) and to allow it to continue under the zoning rules that existed when it began operations in 2021.

Public commenters repeatedly asked the board to exempt Savage Trails from new commercial-use restrictions for ATV/motorbike operations. Justice Strickland, identifying himself as representing "many families, riders and supporters of Savage Trails," said the park opened in February 2021, drew more than 15,700 visitors between August 2024 and August 2025, and brought spending to local businesses. He asked the board to "grandfather in" Savage Trails under the rules in effect at the time it opened.

Several other speakers described Savage Trails as a family-oriented gathering place with community benefits. Alexis Waters said the park provides a place where her 10‑year‑old son gained confidence and friendships; Megan Snelgrove described the site as a source of social and mental-health benefits for area residents. Speakers also said Savage Trails holds an occupational tax certificate and has supported local charities and cleanups.

County attorney Jeff Akins responded to questions about grandfathering and vesting under Georgia law. He said, as described during the meeting, "if an operation was an illegal use from its inception it generally cannot be vested or grandfathered under Georgia law," and therefore Savage Trails—ould not claim a vested right if it never obtained an applicable conditional use when it began operating. He and staff directed that the facility would need to apply for a conditional use permit under the current ordinance if it wished to continue operating in the county's view.

Board action: Commissioner [motion-maker not specified in the record] moved to table the zoning text amendment for further review; the board voted to table the item to the next night meeting, November 4, 2025. The meeting record shows the motion to table carried unanimously.

What—omes next: Staff and the commission will have additional time to refine definitions and supplemental standards (Pope said some definitions may be narrowed), consult with affected parties, and consider whether and how to handle already-operating recreational uses. The board set the item for the next night meeting, where commissioners indicated it would be the only zoning matter on the agenda.

Notes on the record: The planning director repeatedly told the board there is "no rush" to adopt the changes and that many of the proposed standards (for example, conservation subdivisions and facade variety requirements for subdivisions) reflect practices used elsewhere. Commissioners also asked whether the proposed standards would apply to existing businesses; staff reiterated the county's legal position that lawfully established uses ordinarily can be vested, while uses the county believes were never lawful remain subject to current permitting requirements.

Ending: The tabled package spans multiple topics (residential design standards, accessory dwelling rules, rural recreation use standards, and conservation subdivision procedures). Commissioners directed additional review after public comment and will take the matter up at the November 4, 2025 night meeting.