BZA splits on A‑1 five‑acre variances: three denied, one tabled, two approved with conditions

The Coffee County Board of Zoning Appeals on July 31 considered several related variance requests that sought exceptions to a new five‑acre minimum in the A‑1 agricultural zoning district. The board denied three variance requests tied to Finney family parcels, tabled a request from John Hodge, and approved two variances with conditions for properties on Dean Shop Road and Gross Road.

The variances stem from a rezoning and moratorium process this spring: the board and county commission adopted a zoning change and an associated moratorium that, according to meeting remarks, became effective March 11. The rezoning introduced a five‑acre minimum in A‑1; the county’s zoning resolution is referred to in the record as "resolution numbered 20 25 dash o 5," and a county commission action placing a moratorium was cited as "resolution 20 25 0 3." Several applicants said they began surveying and soil testing before the moratorium and argued that work already in progress should be grandfathered.

Attorney and applicant representative Nicholas Northcott spoke for multiple landowners (the Finneys and related heirs), explaining that the owners…