Mainland Planning Commission backs Washington Street rezone for small-home project, 4-3

The Mainland Planning Commission voted 4-3 on Feb. 4 to recommend approval of ZM-24-25, a rezoning request that would change six Washington Street lots from general residential to a planned development district to allow up to 12 small-home units.

Commissioners and staff framed the decision around parking, drainage and long-term ownership. Stephanie Leaf, Glynn County planning and zoning director, told commissioners that county ordinance requires two parking spaces per unit and that, if the PD is approved, subdivision and construction-plan review would address drainage and engineering details. "The county regulations are actually two parking spaces per unit," Leaf said during the discussion.

The applicant's agent, Ginny Kittles of the Ligon Firm, and the project owner, Marshall Bruce Garrett of Paddock Menders Incorporated, described a proposal aimed at people who cannot afford conventional housing. Garrett said the developer plans property management, day-to-day support and restrictions intended to keep investor ownership out of initial occupancy. "The only person who own that property is myself or a person who lives there," Garrett said, describing plans to limit who may purchase the homes in the project's first generation.

Commissioners and staff discussed multiple options for providing parking because the PD text did not include on-site parking. Staff and the applicant reported internal discussions with county public works about allowing paved parking improvements within the public right-of-way, and Leaf said any right-of-way improvements would require a right-of-way permit from public works as part of civil review. Commissioners noted enforcement challenges if parking in the right-of-way was limited to residents.

Several commissioners raised concerns about scale and neighborhood fit; one described the request as spot rezoning and said the project is ‘‘so different than the rest of the neighborhood.’’ Supporters and the applicant emphasized local need for affordable housing and management plans the developer said would limit investor control over the units.

Commissioner New moved to recommend approval with a condition that the rezoning be contingent on reaching an acceptable right-of-way agreement for off-site parking; a second followed, and the motion carried 4-3. The planning commission's vote sends ZM-24-25 to the Glynn County Board of Commissioners for a final decision.

The commission’s action is a recommendation only; final subdivision approval, construction permits and any right-of-way improvements remain subject to later engineering review and county permitting.