City of Hiram staff recommends approval after applicant says parcel was rezoned in error

City of Hiram staff recommended approval Tuesday of an application from MDT Properties to rezone a roughly 1.36‑acre tract near Charles Hardy Parkway back to B‑2 Highway Business.

City staff presented the application and advised the council the planning commission for Paulding County recommended approval. Kevin Moore, representing the applicant, told the council the lot had been included in an October 2024 rezoning to R‑55 in error and that the owner is seeking to restore the property’s prior B‑2 designation so it can be developed for commercial office use. "Sometimes mistakes happen," Moore said, and he confirmed the applicant "is agreeable to the 5 conditions" listed in the staff report.

The mayor closed the public hearing after council members asked whether the applicant accepted the staff stipulations and received confirmation. Staff told the council the matter will appear as a voting item on next week’s regular session consent agenda.

Why it matters: Changing the parcel back to B‑2 will allow commercial development on a lot that the applicant says was unintentionally rezoned to residential last year. The change has litigious or procedural risk only if new opposition emerges before the council's vote.

What happens next: The annexation/resolution and rezoning items were scheduled in sequence on next week’s agenda, with staff emphasizing the annexation must precede rezoning and any special‑use permits.

Reporting note: Quotes and details above are taken from the applicant’s presentation and staff recommendation at the public hearing.