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Planning commission approves rezoning and variances for proposed Harris Trail commercial site; will proceed to county commissioners
Summary
The commission recommended rezoning a 4.5-acre parcel on Harris Trail from RR‑1 to B‑2 for a multi-tenant shopping center and approved related variances; the recommendation, with conditions including a finalized traffic-impact analysis, will move to the county commission for final action.
The Bryan County Planning and Zoning Commission on April 15, 2025 recommended approval of a rezoning of a 4.5‑acre parcel on Harris Trail from RR‑1 (rural residential) to B‑2 (general business) to allow a multi‑tenant shopping center, and separately recommended approval of two accompanying variances tied to proposed access and street-yard requirements. Both recommendations will move to the Bryan County Board of Commissioners for final action.
Planning staff described a revised concept plan submitted after an earlier hearing that reduced requested variances. Staff recommended rezoning with conditions: finalize and approve a traffic‑impact analysis (TIA) prior to land‑development/building permits; comply with TIA conditions and engineering frontage requirements; and incorporate future traffic improvements (whether a roundabout or a traffic signal) in final design. Staff recommended approval of two variances: a street‑yard reduction (from 25 feet to 2 feet for roughly 176.5 linear feet to accommodate an internal drive) and a front‑setback reduction (from 75 feet to 25 feet) as shown on the revised concept plan.
Applicant representative Randy Dykes of MESAC Engineering said the project was appropriate given adjacent commercial parcels and highway intersection context; proponents, including local business owners and community members, spoke in favor. Several residents, including members of the Harris family and adjacent homeowners, opposed rezoning to commercial use, citing concerns about traffic, safety and preserving rural character. Commissioners discussed traffic timelines; county engineering has approved a task order to design intersection improvements and staff said engineering estimated a 9–12 month engineering and design timeline once started.
The commission voted to recommend approval of the rezoning with staff conditions and separately approved the variances. The items will be forwarded to the Bryan County Board of Commissioners with the staff conditions noted in the record.
