Walton County commissioners approved several planning and zoning items Tuesday, including rezonings, land-use amendments and a conditional approval that will require a 50-foot non-disturbed buffer and downward-directed lighting at one mini-storage site.

Planning staff said a previously tabled application for outdoor storage and car repair (LU250199) was withdrawn by the applicant; commissioners accepted the withdrawal. The board then considered LU25-0063 / Z250062, a request to change land use from Suburban to Highway Corridor and rezone seven acres to B-2 for a mini-warehouse and an associated warehouse tenant. Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing cited concerns about noise, lighting, visibility and safety; the applicant said the facility would be secured with fences, cameras and gated coded access.

Commissioners approved the rezone with the planning commission’s recommended conditions plus an added requirement that a 50-foot transitional buffer remain non-disturbed, that all lighting be directed downward and that no outside storage be allowed. The vote passed with one commissioner recorded as voting no.

Other approvals included:
- Z25-0249: Rezone 2.45 acres to allow retail and wholesale sale of cut flowers — approved as submitted by planning staff.
- Z25-0253: Rezone and subdivision of 84.16 acres to R-1/OSC for a proposed 70-lot residential subdivision by Reliant Homes Georgia LLC — planning commission recommended approval; the board approved the request.
- LU25-0256 / Z25-0257: Land-use change and rezoning of 121.43 acres to A-1 2400 overlay with conservation protections for a JW Residential Group LLC project. The applicant and staff discussed stream buffers, wetlands and a proposed conservation overlay to keep lots out of sensitive areas; the board approved the request but the recorded vote included one against and one abstention.

Planning staff noted that campaign disclosure materials and other recorded documents are on file in the planning office and said the department will include required disclosures in future public packets. For projects with conditions, staff will track required buffers, landscaping and lighting restrictions as part of the permitting process.