Paulding County commissioners deny rezoning request for property at 725 Lara Road

Paulding County commissioners voted 3-2 in May 2025 to deny an application by James Aldridge to rezone 6.105 acres at 725 Lara Road from R-2 (suburban residential) to I-1 (light industrial) for an intended heavy equipment rental and forklift repair business.

The denial matters to residents and nearby property owners because the site is in Post 3 near the southern intersection of Lehi Road and Bill Carruth; the county Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended denial 4-0-1. The board’s vote reflected split views among commissioners about whether light industrial uses are appropriate at the location.

James Aldridge, the applicant, spoke during the public-participation period and said he planned a forklift repair business and would update the building, add lighting and fencing. “The light industrial that I'm requesting seems like ... my plan is just to do what I stated as a forklift repair business,” Aldridge said. He told commissioners he had been in the area 30 years and that signs for the rezoning were posted on July 2 of the prior year. Aldridge also said he had met with Chris Robinson of county staff several times and was willing to make site improvements.

At the public hearing, board members moved to deny the rezoning request. The clerk read the roll: the motion to deny carried with Commissioners Schneider, Galloway and Estes voting in favor of denial, and Commissioners Dunn and Caker voting against it. The Planning and Zoning Commission record on the application was noted in the board’s discussion.

No stipulations or alternate zoning conditions were adopted on the record; staff had referenced recommended stipulations if the board chose to approve, but those were not adopted because the board voted to deny.

The application was listed as 2025-O7-Z; the minutes show the property as lots 967 and 968 in District 2, Section 3. The board did not set further action on this parcel during the meeting.