Planning panel backs rezoning of Highway 53 parcel for highway business; one commissioner abstains

Pickens County planning staff recommended rezoning roughly 10.58 acres along Highway 53 (Parcel 052A022) from rural residential to highway business to make the property marketable for highway-oriented commercial uses, and the planning panel voted to forward the recommendation with one abstention.

Staff said the parcel's location along a major transportation corridor and existing adjacent commercial zoning made the change consistent with the county comprehensive plan and suitable for commercial development, provided future projects meet Pickens County and Georgia Department of Transportation access and regulatory requirements.

Bobby Parrish, who identified himself as representing the property owners, told the commission the site is surrounded by commercial uses and argued rezoning would increase tax revenue and marketability. Parrish cited traffic of about 8,200 vehicles per day on the corridor and estimated current comparables at 'about $80,000 per acre,' and said initial interest has come from businesses such as landscape-material suppliers.

A nearby neighbor, Keith Brooks, said his property backs up to the site and asked whether residential uses could still be built and about visibility, tree cover and a creek along the boundary; staff said presentation materials would be made available online and offered to follow up with details.

A commissioner moved to approve the staff recommendation; the motion passed and the transcript records one abstention. The panel will forward the recommendation to the Pickens County commissioners for final action.