The Walton County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request Aug. 7 to allow conversion of 7 acres at 257 Highway 81 from R‑1 to B‑2 for a drywall warehouse and four self‑storage buildings, with conditions that all lighting be downlighting, no outside storage be allowed and a cross‑district access waiver be granted.

The applicant, Angel Bridal, told the commission the project would be a “local family owned business” and described site layout constraints created by a pond and setback requirements that push most buildings toward the rear of the lot. Bridal said the development would include a 100‑by‑200 foot drywall warehouse (about 20,000 square feet), four self‑storage buildings ranging from about 2,600 to 7,200 square feet, a 6‑foot black vinyl‑coated chain‑link perimeter fence and coded gate access.

The nut graf: Commissioners recommended approval with conditions after residents raised concerns about visibility, crime, traffic and 24‑hour access. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Walton County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 2, which will make the final decision.

Commission members heard neighbors describe direct adjacency to the project. William Kirkland and John Deaton, who said their properties butt up to the proposed site, asked about tree removal, visual buffering and the proposed cross‑district access. Deaton pressed staff and the applicant on access; Jason Brown of Georgia Civil, who prepared the site plans, said Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) required the driveway location and that “that is the only point they can get the site distance.” Bridal said the applicant had secured a recorded easement on adjacent property to satisfy GDOT site‑distance concerns.

Bridal acknowledged community concerns about crime and said the applicant would “implement the following security measures” including perimeter fencing, high‑resolution cameras, coded access control, motion sensors and professional monitoring and that the developer intended to coordinate with the sheriff’s office. Bridal asserted data showing no clear correlation between storage facilities and a rise in neighborhood crime, and said the project would preserve as many trees as possible and maintain a 50‑foot transitional buffer and required pond setbacks. Bridal also said the operation would be the smallest storage facility in the immediate area and that no outside storage was planned.

Neighbors cited worries about nighttime vehicle movements, lighting and noise, the impact on bee yards, and whether storage facilities increase traffic or crime. The applicant said lights would be motion‑activated and directed downward to minimize disruption and that access would be limited to code holders. A commission member made the motion to approve the rezoning and grant the cross‑district access waiver with the lighting and no‑outdoor‑storage conditions; the motion carried by voice vote and will be considered by the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 2.

The case file includes required setbacks and buffers around the pond and a recorded easement for cross‑access; applicants and neighbors were encouraged to continue communications before the county commissioners’ hearing.