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Whitfield County approves several rezoning requests; one approved with conditions amid resident concerns
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Summary
The Board approved multiple rezoning requests on Feb. 9, including several residential-to-commercial changes and one approval with construction-material and green-space conditions after a commissioner recused; residents raised concerns about growth and traffic.
Whitfield County commissioners on Feb. 9 approved a series of rezoning requests recommended by the planning commission and addressed resident concerns about rapid local development.
The board approved G. Bonner Properties, LLC to rezone 7.21 acres on Waring Road from Rural Residential (R‑5) to Zero Lot Line Residential (R‑4); Wayne Burgess’ request to rezone 2.16 acres at 104 Elrod Drive from R‑4 to R‑5; and Mitchell Hasty’s request to rezone 6.8 acres on Old Tilton Road from General Agriculture (GA) to R‑5. The board also approved Nelson Equity Investments, LLC to rezone 3.03 acres at 3966 Cleveland Highway from Low‑Density Single‑Family Residential (R‑2) to General Commercial (C‑2).
A separate request from Melody Hammontree to rezone 6.44 acres on Rauschenberg Road from GA to Medium Density Single Family Residential (R‑3) was approved with conditions: the board required stone veneers and fiber cement siding for construction materials and the dedication of 3 acres of green space. That motion passed 3‑0; Commissioner John Thomas recused himself from that vote.
A rezoning request from THB Development Group, LLC for 38.52 acres at 3270 Lake Kathy Road (Tunnel Hill) was postponed by motion of the board.
During public comment residents expressed concerns about cumulative development. Kelly Eaker told the board multiple rezoning petitions have been submitted near her 15‑acre parcel and said she was worried about neighborhood quality of life and increased traffic; Virna Kinsey said county infrastructure cannot support more growth, and Todd Harrison addressed a lack of housing in the county. The minutes record these concerns but show no formal board response or policy change at the meeting.
The planning commission’s recommendations were adopted by majority votes recorded in the minutes. Next steps are typical for rezoning approvals: record changes with county planning and, where applicable, permit and development review processes.