Council approves rezoning for Garfield Street lot to allow duplex

Statesboro City Council on April 15 approved a zoning map amendment to rezone a vacant 0.32-acre lot on Garfield Street from R-15 single-family residential to R-4 high-density residential to permit construction of a duplex.

City planner Cathy told the council the property is a corner lot surrounded mostly by single-family homes and that staff recommended denial because the proposed R-4 classification is incompatible with the immediate neighborhood. The planning commission, however, recommended approval on a 5-0 vote and cited nearby development trends when voting.

Cathy described the parcel and showed a sketch plan that included two units with four parking spaces. She noted that approval of a rezoning would not itself grant building permits and that any construction would require separate review.

Council members debated whether introducing duplexes into an established single-family block would set a precedent. One council member said the site was close to other new apartments and observed that no neighbors had appeared in opposition at the public hearing. After a motion and second, the council voted in favor and the measure passed.

The council did not record a roll-call vote in the meeting transcript; the clerk noted the motion carried and the item was marked passed.