Paulding County commissioners deny Nebo Road rezoning after residents speak out

The Paulding County Board of Commissioners voted on April 14 to deny a rezoning request by Nebo Road Properties LLC to convert roughly 43 acres on Nebo Road from A-1 agricultural to R-1 rural residential for 25 single-family lots and a 3.5-acre farm lot.

At the podium, Elise Phillips told commissioners she had recently bought a home on Nebo Road and urged them to “vote no on 20 25 25 z,” saying developers who do not live in the county will not bear long-term costs for schools, roads and other infrastructure. Crystal Roberts, a 20-year resident and local business owner, warned that residential growth without a broader tax base “is not sustainable” and said approving the rezoning would set a precedent that could lead to the loss of more farmland.

Jason, a county staff member who presented the item, described the application and noted the Planning Commission had recommended denial. After public comment, a motion to deny the rezoning was made and seconded. Commissioners discussed traffic and school impacts and the timing of development relative to updated Unified Development Ordinance changes. The chair called for the vote and the denial motion was acknowledged as carried.

The denial preserves the property’s current agricultural zoning and leaves in place the staff and Planning Commission recommendation against the rezoning. No amendments or alternative zoning measures for the parcel were approved at the meeting.

The board moved on to other agenda items; the rezoning file will remain denied unless the applicant submits a new or amended application to the county.