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Planning commission backs rezoning and special-use permit with strict limits for used-car/restoration business in Hickory Flat
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended rezoning two parcels at 8572 Hickory Flat Highway—one to R40 residential and one to General Commercial—and approved a special-use permit allowing limited, appointment-only used-car sales tied to the owner’s business license.
The Cherokee County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a two-part rezoning and a special-use permit for a small vehicle-restoration business at 8572 Hickory Flat Highway, but added conditions intended to limit visibility and parking impacts.
Staff presented the application for Jamie Lee Scott on behalf of property owner Christopher (Chris) Gowen, describing two requested changes: rezoning roughly 0.92 acres to R40 for a residence and rezoning about 1.12 acres to General Commercial (GC) to allow a small vehicle-restoration/used-car sales operation. The applicant also sought two variances related to internal buffers and existing pavement encroachment into a 35-foot buffer.
Lee Scott, the applicant’s representative, said the business primarily restores older vehicles and operates mostly by appointment. Chris Allen (representing the owner) told the commission, “We restore older cars,” and explained the operation is not a conventional open used-car lot.
After discussion about vehicle counts and visibility, commissioners adopted conditions to limit potential impacts. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the rezoning to R40 and GC and approved the special-use permit with three conditions: the special-use permit would be issued to Christopher Gowen doing business as North Georgia Corvette and Muscle LLC and would not be transferable; no more than five vehicles may be offered for sale on the property at any one time; and any sales must occur by appointment only. The applicant agreed to plant additional screening and work with staff on buffers and lot lines.
The commission also recommended approval of the two variance requests permitting elimination of the internal GC/R40 buffer and allowing existing pavement that encroaches into the buffer to remain. Staff noted any required land‑development or stormwater approvals would still apply before construction or expansion.
Next steps: the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Cherokee County Commission for final action at a later meeting. The approved special‑use permit will run with the applicant’s business license and will expire if the license is not renewed.
