Planners recommend denial of conditional-use permit for men’s sober living home in Circle East; commissioners to consider May 27

The Stephens County Planning Commission on May 6 voted to recommend denial of a conditional-use permit for Forever Faithful Investments LLC to operate a men's sober living home at 3023 East Silver Shoals Road in Toccoa and will forward the application to the Stephens County Board of Commissioners for final consideration on May 27.

Planning staff recommended denial, saying the property—about 1.57 acres and located in the Currhee Point subdivision on Lake Hartwell—lies within the watershed protection overlay district of the 2021 Stephens County Comprehensive Plan and that a sober living facility is not consistent with the plan’s guidance for sparse, passive uses in that district. "Staff does recommend that the conditional use application be denied," staff said, noting the area is historically dense single-family residential and that the county’s comprehensive plan reserves higher-density institutional or commercial service uses for suburban service areas.

Supporters of the facility, who identified themselves as the property operators and alumni, told commissioners the project is not a medical rehabilitation program but a faith-based, structured transitional home that provides supervision, strict rules, and counseling. "This is not a rehab facility. This is simply a place for people who are looking for a healthy home," said Ashley Bonds, who identified herself as a part owner of Forever Faithful Investments and a founder of Rim Sober Living. Facility manager Shane Adams, a retired law-enforcement investigator, said he lives on-site and told the commission: "I give my word on that."

Neighbors and other residents spoke at length in opposition. Concerns included the property’s location within a single-family subdivision and near the Spring Branch boat ramp and lake recreation areas, public-safety and crime risks, potential impacts on property values, the adequacy of police response, and the timing and noticing of the application. "To me, this was done kind of clandestinely," said Ken Camp, a nearby resident. Others cited research on relapse and recidivism and urged the commission to deny the application or require a different, more appropriate location closer to services and police protection.

During discussion, commissioners stressed their role was to rule on the location and zoning consistency rather than the program’s merits. After deliberation a commissioner moved to recommend denial; another seconded, and the chair announced the motion carried. The commission instructed the applicant that the issue will go before the Board of Commissioners on May 27, where the county commission has the final authority.

The record shows extensive public testimony both supporting and opposing the permit; planning staff’s recommendation and the commission’s vote were based on the standards for conditional uses in section 59-18-08 of the county code and the comprehensive plan’s watershed protection guidance. The Planning Commission’s action is advisory; the Board of Commissioners will make the final decision on the conditional-use permit.