Elbert County commissioners approve Stonewall bed-and-breakfast, set conditions on parking, water and inspections

The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Stonewall Bed and Breakfast and Events special use by review (case SUR-2024-77211), allowing a year-round bed-and-breakfast and up to 120 guests at special events on a 1.48-acre parcel near the community of Elbert.

County staff said the proposal would reuse the historic Sacred Heart Church and adjacent buildings for lodging and weddings and that the property is currently zoned Residential-1. The board’s approval includes several conditions recommended by the planning commission and county staff addressing parking, sanitation and permits.

Planning staff presented the application and told the board that the operation would be run by the property owners, using the main two-story residence and a cottage for lodging and the church and outbuildings for events. The application proposes primary event hours beginning in the afternoon, with weddings typically held in the evening and most guests expected to depart by 10 p.m.; staff and the applicants said events are typically expected to wind down between about 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Portable restrooms and bulk water will be used until permanent water and an on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) are installed.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they were comfortable approving the special use because staff and the planning commission found it compatible with the rural, agricultural and residential context and because several conditions try to address county health, road and public-safety concerns.

Key details and conditions - Site and use: 1.48-acre parcel outside the community of Elbert, zoned R-1; historic church building, residence and accessory buildings on site. - Events and lodging: The application sets a maximum of 120 guests for any event and estimates an average of about 75; bed-and-breakfast lodging would be operated by the owners with one to two part-time helpers for events. - Parking: Events will use a leased gravel parking area on the adjacent Harmony Landing Cattle property (36 spaces shown). No parking will be allowed on County Road 98; applicants must notify the county if the parking lease ends. - Sanitation and water: Applicants installed a cistern and will use bulk water and portable restrooms until they can either run a 1,200-foot water line to connect to Elbert Water or install a commercial-grade OWTS. The well on the property is unpermitted and will not be used; applicants stated their preferred plan is to tie into the Elbert water system. County staff required that the applicants retain receipts for bulk water purchases and for portable restroom rentals and provide those receipts to Elbert County Public Health on request. - Permits and inspections: The planning commission recommended and the board added a condition requiring the cottage to be permitted and inspected as a condition of approval. The special use will not take effect until all fees are paid, conditions are met and the special-use exhibit is recorded; recordation must occur within 180 days of board approval. The applicant must construct access and parking to Elbert County Public Works standards.

Public comment and planning commission review The planning commission recommended approval by a 6–1 vote; one commissioner opposed because the cottage was not permitted as an accessory dwelling unit. At the county hearing, a nearby resident raised safety concerns about parking on County Road 98 and urged the county to require a timeline for sanitation upgrades; commissioners discussed posting temporary “wedding” and “no parking” signs on event days and said county road staff would review any no-parking proposal for County Road 98. The applicant said they have backup parking options, including the school parking lot and football field with shuttles, if the current lease ends.

Board action and vote A commissioner moved to approve the Stonewall Bed and Breakfast and Events special use (SUR-2024-77211); another commissioner seconded. The board voted unanimously; the clerk recorded three ayes and the motion carried.

Remaining issues and next steps County staff will monitor compliance with the conditions, including receipt tracking for portable restrooms and bulk water, notice to the county if the parking lease ends or if a new water line is installed, and recordation of the special-use exhibit. The cottage must be permitted and inspected before the special use becomes effective; the applicants said they are working with engineers to install a commercial-grade OWTS and to obtain bids for a permanent water line.