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Planning board recommends industrial rezoning for 33.5-acre Old Augusta Road parcel, adds limits amid wetlands and residential concerns
Summary
On April 8, 2025 the Haralson County Planning Board voted 3-2 to recommend rezoning 33.5 acres on Old Augusta Road from AR‑1 to I‑1 (industrial), limiting permitted activity to the countylight‑industrial uses and allowing warehousing only if buffers and setbacks are met.
On April 8, 2025 the Haralson County Planning Board voted 3-2 to recommend that the Board of Commissioners rezone 33.5 acres on Old Augusta Road (Map 476, Parcel 4E) from agricultural‑residential (AR‑1) to the countyindustrial district (I‑1) with a condition limiting permitted activities to the light‑industrial uses enumerated in the Haralson County Code and allowing warehousing where setbacks and buffers are met.
The recommendation matters because the parcel sits on a designated freight route and the countyis planning multimillion‑dollar upgrades to Old Augusta Road; at the same time the site contains substantial wetlands and borders a residential cul‑de‑sac, raising concerns about buffers, noise, traffic and groundwater for nearby well users.
Chelsea, a Haralson County Development Services planner, told the board the application was submitted Aug. 20, 2024 and is complete. Staff noted the countyfuture‑land‑use map projects industrial uses for the site and that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Wetlands Inventory shows significant wetlands coverage on the parcel. Chelsea also told the board that, because the applicant filed before a local moratorium on rezonings, the application proceeds through the normal review and will next appear before the Board of Commissioners on May 6, 2025.
Chad Zirau of Kern and Company, representing the applicant Manning Graham, told the board his client believes industrial zoning is the best land‑use fit given surrounding industrial parcels and the freight route. Zirau said wetlands currently account for roughly 20–25 of the 33.5 acres and that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is verifying the wetland delineation; he said the likely user would be a yard‑type industrial operation rather than a heavy production facility, and that buffers will be provided along the residential edge.
During public comment, resident Amala Matthews opposed industrial rezoning, citing increased truck traffic, road damage, loss of trees and threats to well water and wildlife. Debbie Hop, the applicantrealtor, asked whether warehousing could be allowed; staff and the applicant confirmed warehousing is categorized as a heavy industrial use in the county code but said the board could add a specific allowance if it wished.
Board members debated wetlands, buffers and whether to limit the rezoning to the light‑industrial list in Haralson County Code section 5.12.0.1. A motion to recommend rezoning with the condition that permitted uses be limited to the light‑industrial uses in section 5.12.0.1 plus the warehouse use from the heavy‑industrial list (subject to meeting buffers/setbacks) passed 3–2. The vote was recorded as a recommendation; final approval rests with the Board of Commissioners at its May meeting.
The board attached the use limitation as a condition and recorded that additional approvals (site plan, stormwater, Corps wetland permitting, and any required buffer/landscape plans) will be required if the commissioners approve the rezoning.
Votes at the planning board: motion to recommend rezoning with the described condition — passed 3 yes, 2 no. The item will proceed to the Haralson County Board of Commissioners on May 6, 2025.
