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Commissioners approve multiple rezoning requests and amend zoning code to address commercial poultry, swine and U-PUD district
Summary
The board approved several rezoning requests across the county, denied one rezoning and a special-use permit, and approved two zoning-text amendments: one to regulate commercial poultry and swine (passed 3-1) and one creating an Urban Planned Unit Development (U-PUD) district (passed 4-0).
Whitfield County commissioners approved a slate of rezoning requests at their Jan. 8 meeting, placed conditions on several approvals, denied one rezoning and denied a special-use permit, and adopted two UDO text amendments affecting future land use rules.
Rezoning actions: Under motions moved by Commissioner Greg Jones and seconded by Commissioner Barry W. Robbins, the board approved requests to rezone properties to General Agricultural (GA), Medium Density Single-Family (R-3), General Commercial (C-2) and Rural Residential (R-5) across multiple parcels, each with conditions where noted. Examples recorded in the minutes include:
- Approval to rezone 77.55 acres at 3529 Hurricane Road in Rocky Face to General Agricultural (parcel 12-345-06-000). - Approval to rezone 10.67 acres on Antioch Road to R-3 (parcel 12-316-01-004). - Approval to rezone 10.0 acres at 173 Boone Way to C-2 with a buffer condition along the northern boundary. - Approval to rezone 50.84 acres at 2011 Old Whaley Road to GA with a condition prohibiting concentrated animal feeding operations.
The board denied a rezoning request for a 0.33-acre parcel at 2071 Freeport Road (parcel 12-086-08-000). The minutes record unanimous votes of approval where applicable (typically recorded as 4-0).
Special use permit: The board denied a special-use permit request by Brigido Meza Flores for a 22.31-acre tract located at 148 Livingston Way.
UDO text amendments: Commissioners voted to amend the Unified Zoning Ordinance to add definitions and new sections for "Poultry Farming, Commercial" and "Swine Farming, Commercial," add related permitted-use table entries, and move commercial poultry out of the general animal husbandry requirements. That amendment passed 3-1, with Commissioner John Thomas recorded as dissenting. The board also approved creation of an Urban Planned Unit Development (U-PUD) zoning district (adding new sections and design standards and renumbering articles); that amendment was approved 4-0.
Why it matters: The rezoning approvals and UDO amendments will change allowable uses for specified parcels and add standards for commercial poultry and swine operations and a new U-PUD option for developers and property owners.
What’s next: Planning staff will update the county zoning map and the UDO text as adopted and implement conditions specified in approvals; affected property owners and applicants will proceed under the new zoning or denial outcomes.
