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Planning panel recommends rezoning for 2 Little Hands Farm with conditions
Summary
The Cherokee County Planning Commission recommended approval of a request to rezone 4.526 acres for a small family farm in Ball Ground's growth area, subject to 10 conditions including limits on hooved animals and bans on certain birds and pigs.
The Cherokee County Planning Commission on a joint public hearing night recommended approval of a request by Josh and Jennifer Bridal to rezone 4.526 acres at 711 Old Dawsonville Road from R‑40 to the City of Ball Ground's agricultural zoning, subject to 10 conditions proposed by the City of Ball Ground.
Planning staff said the property includes one existing residence, a bordering stream with associated flood‑plain, and sits inside Ball Ground's growth boundary. Thomas Trawick, Cherokee County planning staff, summarized staff findings and city comments, including that public water would be available from the City of Ball Ground and sewage would be served by on‑site septic systems handled through the county Department of Environmental Health.
The city‑proposed conditions include limits on animals and uses: the raising and keeping of hooved animals is limited to two animals per acre and not to exceed 10 at any time; no peacocks or roosters are allowed on the site; no pigs or swine are allowed; no intentional breeding of livestock for commercial purposes; and no on‑site slaughter for commercial purposes. The conditions also require that driveway improvements on Old Dawsonville Road be reviewed by Cherokee County Department of Transportation and that the county fire marshal review and approve any commercial building plans before building permits are issued. Trawick said the condition on hooved animals was revised during the meeting to clarify that the limit applies to hooved animals such as cattle, horses, sheep and goats.
Jennifer Bridal, one of the applicants, described the proposal as a small, family‑oriented farm intended to sell produce and provide educational gardening opportunities. "We really do have the vision of kind of promoting the small town family farm," she said.
Commissioner Belotte moved to recommend approval with the ten city conditions as revised; Commissioner Barnes seconded. The commission voted in favor by voice vote and the motion passed.
The rezoning request is tied to Annexation Case 2024A‑3, which Trawick said the City of Ball Ground will review; Ball Ground's council was scheduled to consider the annexation on May 8, 2025, according to staff remarks. The Planning Commission noted that, if annexed, Tract 1 (the 4.526‑acre parcel) would be incorporated into Ball Ground while an adjacent tract would remain in unincorporated Cherokee County to preserve contiguity.
The commission closed the public hearing after no public speakers registered in support or opposition and forwarded a recommendation of approval to the county commission and to the city for any required annexation action.
