Hall County Planning Commission approves variances and rezonings, tables several items for more information

The Hall County Planning Commission on Feb. 3 approved a set of variances and rezonings and sent several items to the Hall County Board of Commissioners for final action, while tabling or allowing the withdrawal of other applications for additional survey or site-plan work.

The commission approved a variance for Michael Crowder to build an 18-foot-by-18-foot accessory structure at 146 Clarksbridge Road, reducing the front-yard setback from 30 feet to 20 feet and the right-side setback from 10 feet to 5 feet. The motion included conditions that the pre‑engineered metal structure use earth‑tone wall panels, that the county director of planning and zoning grant final sign‑off on colors and materials, that a surveyor stake the building footprint before permitting and that a six‑foot opaque fence be installed along the Clarksbridge-facing side if the magnolia tree fronting the site is removed.

"I'm wanting to build, 18 foot by 18 foot metal hobby building," applicant Michael Crowder told the commission, explaining the building would match his home's colors and be sited to avoid an on‑site septic drain field. The board approved the request with the conditions so long as the final details meet planning staff standards.

Several other items produced longer discussion and were tabled so applicants could clarify plans. A request by Patricia Oliver (represented by her daughter, Renee…