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Planning commission recommends accessory‑dwelling permit for caregiver unit on Fire Tower Road
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit to allow an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) for a medical/caretaker purpose on a 25.5‑acre agricultural parcel across from 142 Fire Tower Road; the ADU is intended to house the applicant's mother‑in‑law who has severe visual impairment.
The Jones County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended June 24 that the county commissioners approve an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a 25.5‑acre agricultural parcel across from 142 Fire Tower Road to provide a limited-duration caretaker residence for the applicant's mother‑in‑law.
Applicant Gerald Lee Riggs said the unit would give his mother‑in‑law independence while allowing the family to provide care. Riggs said she is "so anxious to get back to Jones County" and described her medical condition: "She has 25% peripheral vision in her right eye, and she is completely blind in her left eye." He said the ADU would be a kitchenette-style unit (not a full duplex) and cited the county's ADU provisions allowing a mother‑in‑law suite for bona fide medical need; county staff summarized that ADUs are permitted where a medical justification exists and that if the approved occupant moves away the county generally requires removing or disabling the full kitchen to return the structure to single-family status.
A motion to recommend approval passed; the presiding officer reminded the applicants the recommendation goes to the county commissioners, who will make the final decision. The applicant said his mother‑in‑law plans to attend the commissioners' meeting if the item is recommended.
The transcript contains no record of public opposition. The county staff highlighted ADU rules and the medical‑need limitation and the commission's recommendation was recorded; the final permitting and any conditions (occupancy limitations, kitchen removal requirements) would be implemented by county building and zoning staff following the commissioners' decision.
