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Tift County commissioners approve zoning change to allow private schools in most districts
Summary
The board approved Resolution No. 2024-02 to allow private schools in the same zoning classifications as public schools (all except CA), following a staff review and a Planning Commission recommendation; vote carried 6-0.
TIFT COUNTY — The Tift County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 8 approved a zoning text amendment to allow private schools in the same zoning districts as public schools, except for Commercial Adult (CA) zones.
Community Development Services Director Chris Davis told commissioners that staff compared the zoning classifications that permit public schools with those that permit private schools and found a discrepancy: public schools were allowed broadly while private schools were restricted to GB (General Business) and WLI (Wholesale Light Industrial). Davis said staff consulted several other counties and found those counties allow public and private schools in the same zoning classifications. The Greater Tift County Planning Commission recommended the amendment at its Dec. 14, 2023 meeting.
County Attorney Anthony Rowell opened the public hearing and, with no speakers coming forward, closed it. Commissioner Greg Wood moved to adopt Resolution No. 2024-02; Commissioner Fred "Buck" Rigdon seconded. The motion carried 6-0 with Chairman Tony McBrayer voting.
The resolution aligns private-school zoning permissions with those for public schools while keeping CA districts excluded, as presented by staff. The board did not receive public opposition during the hearing and no amendments to the proposal were offered during the meeting.
The action was recorded as Resolution No. 2024-02. Next steps are administrative: county staff will update zoning maps and permitting guidance to reflect the change and apply the new classifications in future permitting decisions.
