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Polk County approves zoning, variance, abatements and property transfers to support local projects
Summary
The Board approved a set of development-related items including a variance for a mobile home, rezoning for a billboard, a Planning & Zoning appointment, an intergovernmental property conveyance with Cedartown, a Solarcycle Project abatement MOU and a temporary fix to manufactured‑home placement rules.
Polk County commissioners on July 2 approved several development and land‑use items intended to streamline local projects and economic development.
The Board granted variance V24‑06 to allow placement of a mobile home at 111 Bennett Road (Tax Parcel 048‑002A) by reducing the right‑of‑way setback to 150 feet. Commissioners also rezoned property on Piedmont Highway (Tax Parcel 008‑007) from A‑1 to C‑1 to permit a freestanding billboard; Planning Commission had recommended approval and applicants were present to answer questions.
To fill a vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Board, Jackie Casey’s resignation was accepted and Jodi Smith — an existing alternate — was appointed to complete the District 2 term through Dec. 31, 2025.
On intergovernmental matters, the Board approved an agreement conveying the county’s old Extension Office building and parking lot to the City of Cedartown (the city will transfer the asset to the Cedartown Development Authority). The Board also accepted transfer of the land under the Polk County Animal Control Facility from the City to the County.
The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the abatement schedule for the Solarcycle Project, consistent with the schedule the Board previously approved during the initial offer period; the motion included staff‑discussed clarifying amendments and was subject to County Attorney McFall’s final review.
Finally, Commissioners adopted a temporary amendment to Polk County Development Regulations (Section 3.3.3) to restrict where manufactured homes may be placed so they are not permitted in several named subdivisions until a comprehensive rezoning process can be completed; staff scheduled a meeting with the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission for July 10, 2024 to plan next steps.
Why it matters: The combined approvals clear regulatory and procedural hurdles for multiple local projects, affect property use rights and tax‑abatement incentives, and place a temporary constraint on manufactured‑home placement pending a fuller zoning review.
What’s next: County staff will finalize the intergovernmental conveyance paperwork and the Solarcycle MOU will be reviewed by County Attorney McFall before execution; the NWGRC meeting will advance the broader rezoning work.
