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Commission hears neighbor objections to proposed hunting camp at 468 Manta Road; decision deferred
Summary
At a March 3 public hearing the Commission heard testimony for and against a conditional use permit to allow a hunting camp on a 534.70-acre parcel at 468 Manta Rd. Neighbors raised trespass and sewage concerns; commissioners unanimously tabled the matter pending Planning & Zoning review.
The Commission of the Unified Government of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County opened a public hearing March 3 to consider a conditional use permit for a hunting camp on a 534.70-acre parcel at 468 Manta Road.
Applicant Jose Perez said he has used the site for 14 years and was not aware a conditional use permit was required. Perez told the commission he removed hunting stands from neighboring property after being notified and thanked the board for hearing the request. "I wasn't aware they needed a CUP and now that I know, I am getting one," he said.
Neighbor Al Robertson told commissioners hunters from the camp have trespassed on his property and that the activity could harm his plans to develop about 20 acres nearby. "They have trespassed on my property and I am not sure if they even know where they are shooting at," Robertson said, adding he worries the proximity of a hunting camp would make future housing development harder to sell.
County Attorney Bin Minter told the commission that under the county's current ordinance a hunting camp is treated as a land "use" and is handled as a short-term rental-type activity, explaining why the matter is before the board as a CUP. County Manager Thomas Weaver said code enforcement staff had issued a letter, worked with a timber company and received cooperation from Perez to clean up the site; Weaver noted there had previously been sewage on the ground that Perez addressed.
Commissioners raised a set of conditions they would like Planning & Zoning to consider: that camps not be visible from the road; a written sewage or waste-disposal plan be required and maintained; noise be controlled (staff reported quieter generators had reduced noise); no permanent structures be allowed; and that ownership be verified before permits are issued. Commissioner Jason Frost questioned why the county currently uses the CUP process for hunting camps and suggested the ordinance may need revision.
Planning & Zoning had postponed its recommendation until April; the commission said it would await that report. Commissioner Gerald Douglas moved to table action until Planning & Zoning issues its recommendation; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Damon Hoyte and passed unanimously.
The public hearing was then adjourned. The commission is expected to take up the item again after Planning & Zoning reports back.