Coffee County approves rezoning of 31.21-acre Iron Road parcel amid neighbor opposition
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The Coffee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a rezoning request Dec. 2, 2024 to reclassify 31.21 acres on Iron Road from R2/Commercial to R4 Residential; neighbors raised traffic and housing-type concerns while the county’s Economic Development Authority framed the project as workforce housing.
The Coffee County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 2 unanimously approved a rezoning request by Seven Acres Properties for a 31.21-acre parcel on Iron Road (140 Mingledorf Road), changing the property from R2/Commercial to R4 Residential. Commissioner Ted O’Steen moved to approve the rezoning; Commissioner AJ Dovers seconded and the motion passed with all present commissioners voting aye.
The rezoning to R4 allows one house per quarter-acre if properties are connected to county water and sewer, Code Enforcement Director Jason Whiddon told the board. Planning staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval.
Several nearby residents opposed the rezoning during the public hearing, citing worries about increased traffic and the character of new houses. Robert Harper (1112 Iron Road), Sandy Martin (1802 GA Highway 32 East), and Sue and Larry Hutchison (105 Mingledorf Drive) each said additional traffic and the proposed housing type would be harmful to the neighborhood.
Matt Seale of the Coffee County Economic Development Authority urged approval, saying the county has a need for more housing and that the EDA intends to apply for a $2.5 million grant to support workforce housing. Seale said the proposed development "would not be low-income housing" and characterized the infrastructure component as possibly reaching about $3 million in costs.
After the public comment period the board closed the hearing, the county attorney asked whether any commissioner had a conflict of interest (none were reported), and the commissioners voted to approve the rezoning request.
The decision changes the zoning classification and clears the way for developers and county permitting processes to proceed under R4 standards. The record does not specify a development timetable, the exact number of lots to be created, or whether any specific developer has submitted final subdivision plans.