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Bryan County panel denies rezoning for Laney Branch corner after residents cite safety, traffic worries
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to deny rezoning of a Laney Branch/Highway 204 corner from neighborhood commercial (B-1) to general commercial (B-2) after sustained resident opposition citing speed, crash risk and neighborhood character; the decision will go to the County Commission for final action.
The Bryan County Planning & Zoning Commission voted May 20 to deny a rezoning request for a vacant parcel at the northeast corner of Laney Branch Road and Highway 204 after residents repeatedly raised safety and traffic concerns.
Staff had presented the proposal to rezone the parcel from B-1 (neighborhood commercial) to B-2 (general commercial), saying the change would allow a liquor store and a possible restaurant and noting that the applicant’s traffic study predicted roughly 259 additional daily trips. Staff recommended approval while proposing limits on some B-2 uses and conditions on buffering and required on-site infrastructure.
Residents urged the board to reject the change. "As it sits the corner of Toney Branch, there becomes a raceway," resident Benjamin Hutchinson said, arguing the 55 mph limit on Highway 204, combined with the existing intersection geometry, made the site unsafe for a commercial entrance. Other neighbors described near-misses, a history of collisions and the corner’s limited sight lines.
The applicant, Lloyd Cunningham of Colton Company, told the commission the site is small (less than an acre), that proposed buffering, setbacks and septic systems fit UDO standards and that the submitted traffic study did not trigger GDOT-required roadway improvements. Cunningham also said the applicant would accept conditions to limit visible advertising and would pay for any required improvements should future engineering identify them.
Commissioners questioned whether the submitted traffic counts adequately reflected current conditions, noting recent growth and commuter patterns. Staff said engineering reviewed and approved the submitted traffic impact documentation but acknowledged the county and GDOT could require additional study or improvements later if warranted.
After residents’ testimony, the commission closed the public hearing and Speaker 5 moved to deny rezoning case 20250093; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Staff reminded residents the case will advance to the Bryan County Commission, which will make the final decision.
The denial preserves the site’s current B-1 designation and prevents B-2 uses such as the liquor-store concept proposed without a subsequent application and approval. The commission’s written motion cited community safety and traffic concerns.
The County Commission is scheduled to consider the recommendation next month.
