Effingham Planning Board recommends rezoning of 4.77 acres at 1246 McCall Road to AR‑3

Chairman Ryan Thompson called to public hearing a request from Charles Richard Nettles Sr. to rezone approximately 4.772 acres of a 9.8‑acre parcel at 1246 McCall Road from AR‑1 to AR‑3, a move the planning board voted to recommend to the Board of Commissioners.

The request would split the existing 9.8‑acre tract into two parcels (a roughly 5.1‑acre parcel to remain AR‑1 and the 4.772‑acre parcel proposed for AR‑3) so the applicant may transfer the smaller parcel to his son, the applicant said. Chelsea, planning staff, told the board the application was complete and recommended approval with conditions.

The staff recommendation included that Development Services must review and sign the recorded plat before the zoning change takes effect and that any new encroachments onto McCall Road require an encroachment permit from Effingham County. Chelsea also noted the parcel’s future land‑use designation as agricultural residential.

Charles Richard Nettles Sr., the applicant, described the family background of the property and said, "I'm just requesting to change that 4.7 to anything other than AR 1, 2, or 3, would be sufficient. I'm giving the property to them." He confirmed there is one house currently on the parcel.

With no public opposition, a board member moved to recommend approval subject to the staff conditions and the motion was seconded. Voting was by voice; the chair announced the recommendation carried. The board noted this is the first AR‑3 rezoning the planning board has recommended.

The planning board’s action is a recommendation; the Board of Commissioners will hold the final public hearing and decision on Oct. 7 in the same room at 6 p.m., the chair said.

Approval was contingent only on the staff conditions described to the board; no additional conditions were recorded at the planning board level.