Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Industrial Park Expansion topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission clears multiple rezones to expand High Falls Industrial Park, with buffer and covenant questions
Summary
The commission recommended approval of several rezoning applications by Highfall 16 LLC that would add roughly 44 acres to the High Falls Industrial Park and allow distribution/warehouse buildings; staff conditions require AKB overlay compliance and potential future scrutiny if a data center is proposed.
Spalding County’s Planning Commission recommended approval of multiple rezoning applications by Highfall 16 LLC to add several parcels to the expanding High Falls Industrial Park and allow light‑industrial/distribution uses.
The three triangular parcels (applications 2508Z, 2509Z, 2510Z) and a fourth triangular portion (2518Z) will be merged with the existing industrial park if approved by the Board of Commissioners. Applicant representatives framed the rezoning as a continuation of the already‑approved industrial park and provided concept plans showing a distribution‑style warehouse building and associated internal roads. The parcels front Arthur K. Bolton Boulevard (AKB) and are within the AKB employment corridor cited in the county’s comprehensive plan.
Staff recommended three conditions: compliance with the AKB overlay development standards (sections 2206 and 2209), final civil and structural plans subject to departmental review, and a requirement that any future data center use return for further zoning approval and comply with county data‑center standards including decommissioning. The applicant proposed one wording change: require consistency with the architecture of buildings already built in the High Falls Industrial Park rather than the Lakes Of Green Valley covenants; the applicant also asked for a clarified buffer standard (10‑foot undisturbed + 15‑foot replanted) to provide a better visual screen. Staff said the quality of existing undisturbed buffers varies and would be evaluated on site.
At least one nearby resident spoke in opposition citing school‑bus safety, increased truck traffic and road wear; commissioners discussed traffic and the AKB overlay’s restrictions (including limits on new curb cuts) and enforcement of covenants. Commissioners approved each rezoning application with the staff’s conditions; the commission noted the Board of Commissioners has in past cases shown it expects consistency with Lakes Of Green Valley covenants along AKB and that the final deed covenants and Board decisions will determine the precise architectural and buffering standards.
The rezoning approvals are recommendations; the Board of Commissioners will take final action at its May 22 meeting.
