Glynn County approves rezoning for 12-unit planned development on Washington Street with parking, drainage conditions

The Glynn County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 6 approved ZM 2425, rezoning six lots on Washington Street to a planned development district that would allow a total of 12 housing units, but conditioned final approval on the county and developer reaching an acceptable right-of-way agreement for off‑site parking.

The vote followed public testimony from nearby residents who said recent fill and construction in the area have increased flooding, and a lengthy presentation from the developer about housing affordability and services. Commissioners emphasized concerns about parking, neighborhood character and drainage before approving the rezoning.

The county’s planning and zoning director, Stephanie Leif, told commissioners the applicant’s Planned Development (PD) text proposes no on‑site parking and that the applicant has said occupants would not own vehicles. Leif said county regulations would normally require two spaces per unit (24 spaces for 12 units), and that staff and the Mainland Planning Commission concluded the PD could move forward only if the developer reached an acceptable right‑of‑way agreement for paved off‑site parking. "What the county is willing to look at is a situation where they would have some spaces on Washington Street," Leif said, adding that a paved improvement and right‑of‑way permit would be required.

Project owner Bruce Garrett told the board he built the project to provide lower‑cost housing and social supports, saying his organization houses dozens of people and provides transportation and other services. "I began 20 years ago trying to help homeless people," Garrett said. He said occupants are unlikely to have cars and that most visits would be occasional. "There aren't going to be any cars, except a visit," he said.

Neighbor Betty McKenzie, who said she has lived in the area 60 years, said the block is already flooding after recent storms and after trucks brought fill to a nearby lot. "My whole neighborhood is flooding now," McKenzie said, asking the county to inspect drainage before changing zoning.

Danny Smith, Glynn County public works director, told commissioners the county believes drainage from the site flows toward Habersham and that a work order to clean ditches in the area is on file. "We do have a work order to clean ditches in that area," Smith said, noting the department has a backlog of roughly 100 work orders but will address the location.

Fire Rescue reviewed the plan and raised no access issues; the fire representative said the lot depths (about 95 feet) allow apparatus access to rear structures.

Planning staff showed a conceptual layout indicating the county right of way in front of the lots could potentially accommodate roughly 18–20 paved spaces in about 180 feet of curb length if a design allows. Staff and the Mainland Planning Commission recommended approval conditioned on completion of a right‑of‑way agreement covering the off‑site parking improvements.

After debate about density and long‑term ownership, Commissioner Duncan moved to approve ZM 2425 conditioned on an acceptable right‑of‑way agreement for paved parking; the motion was seconded and carried. The motion text on the record required staff and the developer to finalize the right‑of‑way parking agreement before the rezoning could be implemented.

The developer said he will hire engineers (EMC) to prepare drainage plans and comply with county requirements. County staff noted that, under the approved PD, the developer must secure any necessary right‑of‑way permits and construct paved parking per the agreement; the ditch adjacent to the property would need to be piped or otherwise addressed if parking is placed there.

The board’s action allows the developer to proceed toward building permits only after the parking and related drainage conditions are resolved with staff.