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Cusseta–Chattahoochee commission denies conditional‑use permit for 105 Mustang Drive mobile home
Summary
After a public hearing with strong neighborhood opposition and a 44‑signature petition, the Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Commission voted Dec. 3 to deny a conditional‑use permit that would have allowed the Lopez family to replace a mold‑damaged 1990 mobile home with a new manufactured home on a 1‑acre R‑1 lot at 105 Mustang Drive.
The Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 3 denied a conditional‑use permit request from Janet Lopez to replace a 1990 mobile home at 105 Mustang Drive with a new manufactured home.
Chairman Charles Coffey opened a public hearing on the request at 6:00 p.m., noting that the county Planning & Zoning chair, Brent Ingersoll, was present. Lopez told the board she bought the 1‑acre property to be near a son in the military and to support her family; she said the existing 1990 mobile home has black mold and needs replacement. Planning & Zoning had earlier recommended approval, according to the record.
Neighbors and nearby property owners strongly opposed the permit during the hearing. Kitara Wilson and others said the street is dominated by stick‑built houses and argued the lot is suitable for a conventional house. Multiple speakers submitted a petition and the board recorded “44 signatures against this.” Resident Matt McAdams cited the county zoning ordinance language on pre‑owned manufactured homes and questioned whether the permit met the ordinance’s conditional criteria. Sheila Wilson told the commissioners she had a local builder who could construct a stick‑built house for about $112,000 and said she worried new manufactured homes would lower property values.
Commissioners discussed the broader policy effects of conditional‑use permits and the county’s zoning history. Commissioner Jason Frost said the permitting process needs adjustment but noted the CUP applies countywide. Commissioner Timothy Biddle and others expressed sympathy for the Lopez family while emphasizing neighborhood character and the intent of the R‑1 district. Biddle moved to deny the CUP; Commissioner Gerald Douglas seconded and the motion to deny passed unanimously among commissioners present (Chairman Coffey, Biddle, Douglas and Frost; Commissioner Damon Hoyte was absent). The motion to deny was explicit: the board rejected the request to place a new manufactured home on the 1‑acre R‑1 lot at 105 Mustang Drive.
The hearing record includes arguments on both sides: Lopez said she sought a safe, habitable home for her children; neighbors cited ordinance history (the board and residents discussed a prior five‑acre rule that had been removed) and presented a petition opposing new manufactured homes in that neighborhood. Chairman Coffey confirmed the county has received litigation in other cases and said the CUP process has created tensions between neighbors.
The commission did not adopt any immediate ordinance changes at the Dec. 3 meeting; several commissioners suggested revisiting the county’s conditional‑use process in a future session. The board adjourned the meeting after an executive session on legal matters.
What happens next: The denial is a final action on the permit request unless appealed or otherwise challenged in accordance with applicable procedures; commissioners suggested administrative review of the CUP policy during a future meeting.
