Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Rezones topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves three land-use changes including equestrian event venue with conditions
Summary
The board approved a downzone, two rezones and a conditional-use modification, including limits on amplified sound and an explicit exclusion of weddings for a new equestrian event venue.
The Pickens County Board of Commissioners approved three land-use actions March 17, 2025: a downzone for a 7.86-acre parcel on Coke Road, a conditional-use approval to expand an equestrian operation into an events venue, and a 1.5-acre rezone at 345 Davis Road.
At the start of the meeting planning staff presented RZ190902, a request by Sherry Copeland on behalf of Gary Copeland to change Parcel 045074 on Coke Road from rural residential to agriculture for approximately 7.86 acres. Staff recommended approval based on compatibility with surrounding properties, alignment with agricultural land-use objectives and minimal infrastructure impact. No members of the public spoke for or against during the public hearing. The board approved the downzone by voice vote.
The board also approved a conditional-use modification (application 190879) for a 14.3-acre parcel at 131 Road (Parcel 067D090002) to expand an existing equestrian facility into an event venue for activities such as 4-H events, partnership rodeos with Pickens High School, family reunions and similar gatherings. The planning commission had recommended approval with conditions. The commissioners approved the conditional use with the following conditions read into the record: compliance with zoning and building permits; coordination with the fire marshal to confirm access and safety requirements; working with planning staff to ensure parking will not exceed the property’s capacity threshold; amplified sound must end by 8 p.m.; and weddings are explicitly excluded from permitted events.
Another rezone (RZ190890) at 345 Davis Road — a 1.5-acre portion of a 13.47-acre tract (parcel 036047) — was approved to move that portion from agricultural to rural residential to allow sale of an existing home and construction of a new home.
These items came to the board following planning commission hearings. For the matters that required public hearing notice, the record shows staff presentations, the public hearing opening and no speakers opposing the requests. The board voted to approve each item; voice votes were recorded as “Aye” with no oppositions noted.
Permits and inspections required by county building and fire codes remain conditions of ongoing compliance.
