Putnam County planning board approves multiple setback variances, tables Harmony Road rezonings until December

Putnam County Planning & Development approved multiple residential setback variances and a conditional-use permit and tabled four Harmony Road rezoning requests to a Dec. 4 public hearing during its Oct. 2 meeting.

The board approved a 7-foot side-yard setback variance for Thomas and Kellie Earnest’s property at 171 North Steel Bridge Road, despite staff recommending denial. Member Harold Jones moved to approve the variance and the motion passed 3-2, with Members William Rainey Jr., Harold Jones and Shad Atkinson voting yea and Member Erickson and Chairman Charles Gray voting nay.

The board considered side-yard variances requested by Kerry and Allison Phillips for property listed in the agenda as 370 South Steel Bridge Road. Staff recommended approval of a 10-foot left-side variance and a 3-foot right-side variance for the proposed home, and recommended denial of a 5-foot variance for an enclosed carport. Member Harold Jones moved to approve the variances for the home and to deny the 5-foot variance for the carport; the motion passed 4-1 (Erickson, Jones, Atkinson and Gray yea; Rainey nay). (The minutes’ motion text repeats 171 North Steel Bridge Road for the carport; the item header and the staff recommendation identify the carport as associated with 370 South Steel Bridge Road.)

Jeremy Crosby, agent for Phillip and Donna Rogers, secured approval for two side-yard variances at 182 Riverview Road after staff recommended approval; Member Shad Atkinson moved the measure and the board voted unanimously, 5-0, to grant the variances. David Williams had signed in to speak during that agenda item.

The board also approved a 7.8-foot side-yard variance for Marius and Terry Turner at 124 Tanglewood Drive. Kristie Everette, the Turners’ agent, and Mr. West represented the request; the motion passed 5-0.

A conditional-use permit to site a single 40-by-60-foot multi-use barn with storage at 297 Anchor Pointe Drive (parcel zoned AG) was approved with conditions. The board adopted the two staff conditions: the parcel (Map 053 Parcel 033) shall not be subdivided, and accessory structures on the parcel shall be limited to one 40' x 60' multi-use barn sited in accordance with applicable development regulations. Member Atkinson moved to approve the conditional use and the motion passed 5-0.

A rezoning request by Tyler and Allie Mathis for 1.0 acre at 166 Dennis Station Road (AG to R-1) was withdrawn by the applicant and the board approved the withdrawal without prejudice; Chairman Gray moved to approve and the motion passed 4-0 with Member Atkinson abstaining.

Items 11–14, four rezoning requests for properties on Harmony Road (variously seeking R-PUD and C-1 designations from AG), were heard together. Member William Rainey moved to approve the rezonings, but Member Harold Jones rescinded his second and the motion died for lack of a second. Member Jones then moved to adopt staff’s recommendation to table the Harmony Road rezonings until the Dec. 4, 2025 public hearing; Member Atkinson seconded and the motion to table passed 4-1 (Rainey opposed).

The agenda included a new-business discussion item proposing a change to Chapter 66 development standards regarding minimum size requirements for modular homes; the minutes record the item on the agenda but do not record substantive debate or any formal action on that proposal.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:40 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Sept. 4, 2025 minutes: unanimous (5-0). - Earnest variance (171 North Steel Bridge Road): approved, 3-2 (Rainey, Jones, Atkinson yea; Erickson, Gray nay). - Phillips variances (370 South Steel Bridge Road): home variances approved and carport variance denied as moved; 4-1 (Erickson, Jones, Atkinson, Gray yea; Rainey nay). (Minutes include an address inconsistency noted above.) - Crosby/Rogers variances (182 Riverview Road): approved, 5-0. - Turner variance (124 Tanglewood Drive): approved, 5-0. - DeRoche conditional use (297 Anchor Pointe Drive): approved with conditions, 5-0. - Mathis rezoning withdrawal (166 Dennis Station Road): withdrawal approved, 4-0 (Atkinson abstained). - Harmony Road rezonings (items 11–14): initial motion to approve died for lack of a second; motion to table to Dec. 4, 2025 adopted 4-1 (Rainey opposed).

Next steps: Harmony Road rezonings are scheduled for the Dec. 4, 2025 public hearing; the modular-home minimum-size item remains on the record for future discussion.