Long County commissioners approve rezoning for proposed Dollar General

The Long County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved rezoning case Z-021-010 on Oct. 5 to rezone 1.867 acres from Agricultural Forestry to C-2 Commercial to permit a 10,640-square-foot retail store.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Russell Simmons told the board the county Planning and Zoning Board had recommended approval of the rezoning. Developer Chris Qualheim said the rezoning would allow construction of a 10,640-square-foot Dollar General store on the parcel.

Commissioner John Reddish asked about site access and how much of the road would be paved, and Qualheim said the entrance would be paved for 150 feet and that the Georgia Department of Transportation had approved the project. There were no other verbal or written public comments, and Chairman Robert Parker closed the public hearing at 9:05 a.m.

During the regular session that followed, Commissioner Jeremy Hall moved to approve rezoning request Z-021-010; Vice Chairman Gerald Blocker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Baggs was noted as absent earlier in the meeting.

The decision changes the property’s zoning from Agricultural Forestry to C-2 Commercial, clearing a legal prerequisite for the developer to seek building permits and move forward with site work. The Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation and the commission’s unanimous vote complete the county-level land-use approvals noted in the record.

Next steps on the project — including any required building permits, site-plan review, utility connections and construction timelines — were not detailed in the proceedings.