Planning commission approves rezoning request for recycling operation, sets operating limits

The Walton County Planning Commission voted unanimously in June to recommend rezoning 8.74 acres at 120 Highway 78 from A-1 to M-1 to allow recycling, reuse and resale of nonmetallic mineral products, with conditions on buffers, hours of operation, stormwater compliance and overnight parking.

The decision matters because proponents said the site would divert construction material from a nearby landfill and supply local construction needs, while the commission attached conditions intended to limit noise, traffic and water-quality risks before the Board of Commissioners considers final approval in July.

Drew Wilson, an engineer with ENA Engineering, told the commission, “We are here tonight to request the reclassification of 8.7 acres from A-1 to M-1 for recycling, reuse, and resale, just basic construction, nonmetallic materials.” He said Republic Services’ landfill lies to the north and that material there could be redirected for local redistribution. Owner/applicant Danny Cagle (Pinnacle Sports Academy LLC) said the narrow shape of the lot and turning-space needs were a reason for requesting a zero-foot buffer on the landfill side.

Commissioners discussed two variance requests: a zero-foot buffer on the northern edge adjacent to the landfill and a five-foot buffer on the southern edge. Staff noted the regional commission’s review referenced a 25-foot zoning buffer with a required six-foot opaque fence on the eastern edge; the applicant said the plan on file showed an older layout. County staff agreed the north side could be considered for a zero-foot buffer given the adjacent landfill, and the commission instructed staff to publicly post both variance requests ahead of the Board of Commissioners hearing.

The commission approved the recommendation with these conditions, recorded during the meeting: regular working hours with vehicle operations seven days a week but crushing limited to weekdays (crusher hours 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; applicant also referenced general hauling hours 7 a.m.–5 p.m.), no crushing on weekends, a maximum of about 10–15 vehicles parked overnight (the commission used the applicant’s stated range and required the applicant to confirm final limits for the Board of Commissioners), and inclusion of stormwater controls during plan review consistent with the Georgia Stormwater Manual. Russell Bennett, a neighboring property owner, spoke in support of the five-foot buffer arrangement he had discussed with the applicant; the applicant said Bennett had been informed and “he seemed fine with it.”

The commission noted that environmental review and stormwater requirements must be addressed before permits are issued. Wilson said, “We’ll handle that, based on the requirements set forth in the Georgia stormwater manual. So we’ll take care of that during plan review.” The commission’s vote was a voice vote; the chair said the motion passed unanimously and that the record, with the posted variance requests and the stated conditions, will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final action in July.

The commission’s approval is a recommendation only; the Board of Commissioners will make the final decision and can alter conditions, require additional studies or deny the request.

The commission minutes show staff will post both variance requests publicly between the planning commission and Board of Commissioners hearings and the applicant must provide any updated materials or clarifications about overnight parking before that hearing.