Bulloch County delays five rezoning hearings after legal‑notice error; residents raise water, road and school‑capacity concerns

Bulloch County commissioners heard public comment on five separate rezoning applications on a packed agenda but determined they could not take votes because county staff said the required legal notice for the zoning hearings did not meet the statutory window. County staff apologized and said the board would hear comments now and take formal votes at a reconvened hearing on Aug. 5.

Chairman David Bennett explained the county could not legally vote after staff advised the public‑notice deadline was missed. "We can legally not hold a vote on these zoning issues tonight," the chairman said. The board then allowed applicants and opponents to present and routinely moved each item to the Aug. 5 meeting.

Turtle Landing Investments LLC (Sinkhole Road at Ephesus Church Road): The applicant described an R‑80 (minimum 80,000 sq. ft. lots) subdivision of roughly 71 acres proposing 22–25 lots accessed primarily from an internal road off Ephesus Church Road and three lots fronting Sinkhole Road; the planning staff recommended denial after a unanimous Planning & Zoning vote to deny, and…