Bulloch County commissioners deny conditional‑use request for family personal care home at Pulaski Road

Bulloch County commissioners unanimously denied a conditional‑use application on Nov. 18 for a family personal care home proposed at 7433 Pulaski Road.

Applicants Raheem and Tamika Panaflet told the commission their intent was to operate a state‑licensed family personal care home for three elderly adults who need daily support, medication reminders and 24‑hour supervision. Raheem Panaflet said staff recommended approval and his application satisfied the county’s seven conditional‑use standards. “According to the county departmental review, the staff recommends approval of our conditional use request,” he said, adding the couple moved to the area to address a shortage of small personal care homes in rural Bulloch County.

Neighbors and multiple landowners sharply opposed the request during public comment. Evelyn Wilson, who said she has lived about 200 feet from the parcel since 1971, asked whether residents would come from outside the county and whether renovations or permits would be required. Marcia Skinner McMillan, who owns land adjoining the parcel, presented a petition with 126 signatures opposing the use and cited the Bulloch County 2045 comprehensive plan’s natural/open‑space designation for the area. “The community has no need for a care home,” McMillan said. Other neighbors raised concerns about storm‑proofing, backup power, fire‑sprinkler capacity and whether a front‑yard paved parking area would make the property appear commercial.

One neighbor alleged an existing personal care home on Pulaski Road, identified in testimony as Southern Comfort, had previously been closed for violations; that claim was raised from the public podium and not resolved on the record.

Planning staff explained the regulatory steps that would follow a board approval: installation and inspection of a fire sprinkler system, fencing for the required outdoor recreation area, compliance review under county section 14‑21 as part of the occupational tax certificate, and separate state licensing by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Staff also noted the Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended denial at its meeting.

After questions and a brief board discussion, a commissioner moved to deny the conditional‑use request. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously, denying the applicants’ request to operate the family personal care home at 7433 Pulaski Road.

The denial stops the local zoning approval; the applicants could seek other remedies but the county action on this conditional use was final for this meeting.