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Ware County to adopt zoning for unzoned pockets to pursue Plan First eligibility
Summary
Ware County planning staff proposed zoning maps to fill gaps in countywide zoning so the county can reapply for Plan First Enrollment (which affects CDBG grant frequency). Residents raised concerns about backyard livestock and potential restrictions; staff said existing livestock would be grandfathered.
County planning staff asked the Ware County Board of Commissioners to adopt zoning for scattered unzoned areas to bring the county into compliance with its Comprehensive Plan and regain eligibility for Plan First Enrollment, which would alter the county’s Community Development Block Grant application cadence.
Interim Planning Director Dustin Minchew told the board the map fills ‘‘gaps’’ in county zoning and applies types that reflect existing uses: Wahoma and Pine Island proposed as R‑75 MH; Josephine Park as A‑Agriculture/Forestry; smaller‑lot Jamestown areas as R‑75 MH; portions off Jordan Drive as R‑90; and a Corridor Development District (CDD) added along Valdosta Highway. Minchew said the zoning would set basic use requirements to prevent incompatible uses—‘‘to prevent industrial use near a residential use.’’
Why it matters: countywide zoning was a prerequisite the county lacked when Plan First Enrollment was previously denied, Minchew said; being a Plan First community would allow Ware County to apply for CDBG grants every year rather than every two years. Minchew also noted the county is working on separate ordinances (for example, driveway requirements with GDOT and future regulations such as permitting for data‑mining boxes).
At the hearing, resident Jeff Barbee of Sweat Road objected that some small‑lot homeowners keep a few chickens and said restricting livestock on smaller lots would be ‘‘overreach by the government.’’ Minchew responded that homeowners with existing livestock would be grandfathered and that staff has considered text amendments to allow penned chickens in residential areas so long as they meet standards.
The board did not adopt the zoning at the hearing; the item was added to the regular meeting agenda for formal consideration. No final action on zoning was taken at this session.
Next steps: staff will present the formal zoning ordinance language and any proposed text amendments at the regular meeting; additional ordinances related to driveways and installations such as data‑mining cabinets will come forward separately.
