Whitfield County joint meeting approves most rezonings, denies poultry‑supply commercial request after neighborhood objections

Whitfield County officials on March 23 held a joint meeting of the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners and the Dalton‑Varnell Planning Commission to hear nine rezoning requests and one special‑use permit. After public comment and staff presentations, the body approved most of the rezoning and plat requests but denied a commercial rezoning for a poultry‑equipment retail store near Old Dixie Road.

Tyler White, of the Northwest Georgia Regional Office, presented staff findings for each item and recommended approval for most requests where the proposed zoning would bring properties into conformity with the Unified Zoning Ordinance or match surrounding land uses. White said the planning process tonight was limited to recommendations; the joint meeting nevertheless recorded motions and votes on each item after deliberation.

Residents who live near the proposed poultry‑supply storefront along Old Dixie Road urged denial, saying the site lacks infrastructure and that truck movements and odors from nearby poultry farms already reduce local quality of life. Richard Holland, who…