Planning commission advances 10th UDO amendment package after narrowing change triggers

The Paulding County Planning Commission held a required public hearing on proposed text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (10th edition) covering administrative definitions, base districts, supplemental use standards, dimensional standards, off-street parking, planning commission procedures and the UDO amendment appendix. After discussion and a public-comment period with no speakers, the commission voted 5-0-1 to recommend the package with edits removing two specific change triggers in the plan-review rules.

Why it matters: The amendments adjust allowed uses, definitions and development thresholds across multiple zoning districts and clarify when plan changes must return to the commission — changes that affect future site plans, permitting and the regulatory review process countywide.

Key changes presented by planning staff included adding definitions for cannabidiol (CBD) oil retailers, flex buildings and mobile food vending as a home-occupation-type use. Staff proposed moving CBD oil retailers into the special-use-permit category in several business districts (B-1, B-2, planned shopping centers) rather than making them automatically permitted uses. The package also proposed allowing…