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Newton County commissioners approve zoning and contracts, extend moratoria and table one permit
Summary
On March 3, 2026, the Newton County Board of Commissioners approved multiple zoning applications and county contracts, extended temporary moratoria on data‑center and convenience‑store submissions, and tabled a conditional‑use permit for a concrete‑cutting business for 30 days for further staff review.
The Newton County Board of Commissioners on March 3 approved a slate of zoning petitions and county contracts, extended two temporary moratoria and postponed one development request for further staff work.
The board voted to approve a conditional‑use permit (CUP25‑00000015) to allow an upholstery home‑occupation at 661 Dukes Road under staff conditions limiting customer contact, hours and outdoor storage; commissioners added a prohibition on signage and restrictions on customer access. Planning staff presented the petition and a neighbor spoke in support. The board also approved a conditional use and companion requests (NTL25‑0000002, V25‑0000008, OSPEC25‑0000001) to site a 250‑foot T‑Mobile self‑support tower on Brownbridge Road, with a 70x70‑foot fenced compound and landscape buffer.
A rezoning to agricultural‑residential for 495 Bates Road (25‑00000012) was approved to permit a two‑tract family conveyance, subject to minor‑plat and agency reviews. The board tabled CUP26‑0000001, a permit for Dankel Concrete Cutting (office with outside storage and fleet parking at 2765 Access Road), after public concerns about outside storage, screening and unlicensed operations; the item was continued for 30 days for additional staff review.
County business approvals included renewing probation services contracts with CSR Probation Services for the magistrate court, authorizing an EMC contract to install underground electrical distribution and a security light at the Newton Factory Bridge campground, and awarding a $750,000 renovation contract to Sunbelt Builders for Fleet and Public Works space to accommodate Emergency Management functions. The board also approved a memorandum of understanding to create a public safety cadet program.
County Attorney Stephanie Johnson asked the board to extend two previously adopted emergency moratoria — on data‑center and convenience‑store submissions — moving the expiration from March 18 to April 8 to allow time for public hearings and policy consideration; the board approved the extensions.
What’s next: The Dankel Concrete item will return in 30 days for staff follow‑up. Other approved permits and contracts proceed under the conditions recorded in staff reports and recorded motions.
