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Planning commission deadlocks on event‑center setback variance; forwards case to commissioners
Summary
The Spalding County Planning Commission deadlocked on a variance request to reduce the required 200‑foot perimeter setback to 100 feet for an event center on Locust Grove Road and will forward the application, with no action, to the Board of Commissioners for final consideration on Nov. 20.
The Spalding County Planning Commission deadlocked Oct. 28 on a requested variance that would reduce the county’s 200‑foot perimeter setback to 100 feet so an event center can be built at 2547 Locust Grove Road.
Staff described the parcel as roughly 31.3 acres with a long, narrow orientation and a stream and floodplain that make the full 200‑foot buffer largely unbuildable. "You're going to have to have relief in that setback," county planner David Allen said, explaining the configuration shown in the staff report.
The applicant’s attorney, Daryl Johnson of J.D. Young Consultants, told the commission the project team had revised plans to address neighbors’ concerns and had reoriented buildings so lodging and maintenance quarters sit within the requested reduced setback. "We gratefully ask for your favor in moving forward with this variance from 200 feet to 100 feet," Johnson said.
Neighbor Ann Dawson, who lives at 2656 Locust Grove Road, spoke in opposition and asked that the buffer be kept "as far as possible." Commissioners questioned where the reduced setback would affect nearby properties and whether tree stands and fencing could mitigate effects on the neighbors to the north.
During debate, the applicant agreed to keep the north side as an undisturbed buffer, to limit construction to the 100‑foot line and to install privacy fencing along the northern edge. Commissioner [Bryant] moved a compromise that would keep a 200‑foot buffer on the west, south and east as drawn and allow 100 feet on the north with an undisturbed buffer and a fence; another commissioner seconded the motion. The chair called for hands to vote, but the motion produced a deadlock and failed to produce a decision.
Parliamentary counsel told the commission the deadlock means no action by the planning commission; the case will be placed on the Board of Commissioners’ Nov. 20 agenda for final action. Staff told the applicant both the variance and the special‑exception previously granted will be heard by the county commission on that date.
What’s next: The Board of Commissioners will consider the variance and the companion special‑exception application on Nov. 20. The applicant indicated it may submit a revised site plan showing the buffer and fence commitments discussed to clarify the proposal before that hearing.
