Commissioners approve rezoning of 719-acre Coleman Road tract to M1 with 200-foot buffers

Lowndes County commissioners voted to rezone roughly 719 acres on Coleman Road to M1 (light industrial) with conservation overlay, approving seven staff conditions intended to limit impacts on adjacent residential neighborhoods. The approval follows a 4–3 recommendation for approval from the county Planning Commission.

The rezoning request would change parcels currently zoned CC, R1 and conservation to M1 and conservation; county staff said the tract would be served by county utilities if development requires them. Planning staff noted wetlands on the property, references to the 2008 FEMA flood maps and the 2021 FEMA proposed maps, and that the site’s size would require a development-of-regional-impact review if a large user is identified.

Why it matters: The parcel abuts the Foxborough subdivision and other residential areas. Neighbors told commissioners they feared increased flooding, loss of tree cover and noise or pollution from industrial uses. County staff…