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Planning commission approves rezoning at 39 Goose Pond Road over residents' objections
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Summary
Residents of Goose Pond urged the Coffee County Planning Commission to reject a developer's request to rezone 39 Goose Pond Road from A-1 to C-1, citing traffic, safety and loss of farmland; the commission approved the rezoning by voice vote and the measure will go to the full county commission on June 9.
Coffee County Planning Commission — April 28, 2026 — The Coffee County Planning Commission heard emotional public comment before approving a developer’s request to rezone 39 Goose Pond Road from A-1 (agriculture) to C-1 (commercial).
Residents living near the parcel told commissioners the change would permanently erase farmland and bring commercial traffic to a narrow rural road. “I’ve lived there for 70 years … I just don’t think it’s a good idea to rezone it,” said Ernest West, a Goose Pond resident. Donna West Fletcher, who identified herself as living two doors from the parcel, told the commission she represents the majority of nearby Goose Pond residents and urged them to reject the change, saying it would increase congestion and safety risks for school buses, farm equipment and families: “Rezoning to C-1 would result in high volume commercial type traffic leading to congestion, noise, and higher accident risk.”
Justin Keune, representing Shady Grove Homes, said the applicant had explored alternatives but was advised that rezoning was the appropriate path and that the site’s location on State Highway 53 made it a reasonable candidate for commercial use. Keune said the developer could locate a primary entrance on Highway 53 to reduce traffic impacts on Goose Pond Road.
Chair of the commission summarized the discussion and called for a motion; commissioners approved the rezoning by voice vote. The transcript records a motion and a second and multiple “ayes,” but does not include a roll-call tally. The chair said the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the full county commission, which is scheduled to consider the item on June 9.
Why it matters: The decision changes the allowable future uses for a 3.3‑acre parcel in a largely agricultural neighborhood and, if approved by the county commission, would permit commercial development where neighbors and petition signers had urged preservation of rural character. Opponents said a nearby fatal crash and routine farm traffic make the stretch of Goose Pond Road unsuitable for heavier commercial use.
What happens next: The planning commission’s recommendation is advisory; the full county commission will review the rezoning application on June 9. The planning record shows public opposition at the local level but also a developer representative arguing the parcel fronts a state highway and has infrastructure to support limited commercial use.
