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Commission denies rezoning for Allred Mill Road subdivision after heavy public opposition
Summary
The Pickens board denied a rezoning request to convert 19.84 acres on Allred Mill (Alfred Mill) Road to estate residential for a four-lot subdivision after neighbors and expert witnesses raised concerns about alleged clear-cutting, erosion, missing documentation and unsafe driveway configurations on steep slopes.
The Pickens County Planning Commission voted to deny a rezoning request (RZ190706) that would have changed 19.84 acres on Allred Mill Road from agricultural to estate residential to allow a four‑lot subdivision.
Staff explained the application described a four‑lot estate subdivision and recommended review; owner Abbas Osei and engineer Jim Harden presented the design and termed it a low‑impact development. Several neighbors and retained counsel urged denial, presenting photos and a packet that they said showed extensive tree removal, lack of a required approved survey and missing tax documentation. Attorney and residents argued the clearing constituted a significant land‑disturbing activity without proper permits and that the proposed three driveways clustered on a steep slope would be unsafe.
Resident Michael Lowe termed the prior clearing "hogwash," saying the site had been stripped down to the ground and that runoff and visual impacts were already evident. Counsel for neighbors documented a stop‑work order and cited stormwater and buffer violations they say remain unresolved. The opposition urged the commission to deny the rezoning because the proposed use was incompatible with the county comprehensive plan and surrounding large agricultural parcels.
Board members debated safety, road impacts and prior site disturbance. One commissioner moved to deny; after a second and discussion the motion to deny passed. Staff closed the hearing and indicated the denial will be transmitted to the Board of Commissioners.
No formal remediation or county funding for repairs to private infrastructure was promised during the hearing; staff and residents discussed enforcement of erosion and stormwater rules going forward.
