Upson planning panel recommends denying ATVs at private event venue on 10.25-acre property

The Upson County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend denial of a request to add ATV activities to an existing indoor-outdoor special-event venue at 536 Gordon School Road.

The applicant, property owner Willard “Willie” Fuller, asked the commission to modify a previously approved special exception (SPX202503) to allow ATVs on a 10.25-acre parcel zoned AR (agriculture/residential). Bill Seram Asama, an Auburn University graduate student interning with the county building and zoning department, presented the staff analysis and recommended conditions that would apply if the commission approved the change.

Staff told the commission that, under the State of Georgia special-exception criteria, ATV use could be compatible only if carefully limited and enforced; otherwise it could be “contrary to the purpose of the zoning ordinance” because ATVs can produce elevated levels of noise, dust and traffic that conflict with nearby residential and agricultural uses. Seram Asama also reported that staff found a small cemetery on the property during the field inspection.

Seram Asama outlined the staff-recommended conditions that would be required if ATVs were allowed: limiting ATV use to guided recreational riding only (no racing, competitions or exhibitions); a written safety guide requiring helmets and protective gear, age restrictions and basic training; clearly marked riding areas set away from adjacent residential property lines and designed to minimize noise and dust; coordination with the Lincoln Park Volunteer Fire Department and local emergency medical services; and restricted hours of operation (recommended 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.). The staff memo also noted that approval could trigger occupational tax, building and land-disturbance permits.

At the public hearing, Fuller described typical users as neighbors’ children who ride on his land and said he does not intend to operate a commercial ATV park. “Most people come down there just the neighbor’s kid,” Fuller said, adding that he usually stops riders when it gets dark and that he would not charge for casual use. Neighbors and commissioners raised concerns about the potential for open, unscheduled riding versus restricted use during hosted events.

Commissioners questioned whether allowing weekend, open riding would effectively create an ATV park and emphasized the difficulty of enforcing restrictions if the site were open to general public riding. One commissioner said the property is predominantly residential and that the added activity could negatively affect nearby residents. After discussion the commission moved to deny the requested modification; the motion to deny carried 5-0.

The planning commission’s denial is a recommendation to the Upson County Board of Commissioners. Planning staff and the applicant noted the item will appear before the board at a future meeting; the applicant was told the next step is the Board of Commissioners hearing (the applicant was instructed to appear before the board on the scheduled date). The planning commission record states the denial was based on the special-exception criteria and the perceived off-site impacts described by staff and public comment.