Large Old Elberton Road parcel draws widespread opposition during future‑land‑use comment hearing

The Planning Commission held a comments‑only hearing on an application proposing to change a 233‑acre tract on Old Elberton Road from rural to employment center and signaled a potential rezone to employment industrial (EI). Staff framed the request as a future‑land‑use question that would return for full zoning consideration later if the future‑land‑use designation changed.

Applicant counsel William Deal described a long‑range, phased industrial concept and stressed buffers, canopy retention and a decades‑long buildout timeline. The presentation emphasized the parcel’s proximity to the existing Athena Industrial Park and argued the property faces changing market conditions that make agricultural uses less feasible.

Local residents and landowners voiced consistent opposition in public comments. Speakers raised concerns about traffic on narrow, rural roads (Old Elberton/Spring Valley), lack of sewer infrastructure and the difficulty of routing heavy‑truck traffic without improved roads, potential risks to the Bridal River watershed and wildlife, and the loss of greenbelt and agricultural land. Comments urged preservation of the rural corridor and recommended limiting industrial expansion to lands already designated for employment uses.

Staff noted infrastructure constraints — sewer does not presently serve the site and would likely require pumping to reach the nearest sewer — and warned that truck routing would be limited to Boyle’s Road or Spring Valley. The commission did not vote; the hearing was advisory for the future‑land‑use element only. The applicant may return for zoning consideration after the future‑land‑use process and following additional environmental and infrastructure review.