Commission recommends denial of 5‑acre subdivision request over septic, density and rural character concerns

On March 10, 2026, the Effingham County Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of a request to rezone a 5‑acre parcel at Longbridge Road from AR1 to AR2 that an applicant said was intended to be subdivided into up to five 1‑acre family lots.

Staff noted the property is currently served by private well and septic and that the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) requires soil suitability and easement arrangements; staff also recommended approval subject to conditions if the technical concerns were addressed. The applicant’s translator, Juan Sanchez, said the applicant planned lots for family members.

Neighbors expressed strong opposition. Kim Callahan and other adjacent landowners said the parcel has limited frontage and easement access and that the rural character and long‑held expectations for larger lots would be undermined by denser subdivision. Brighton Rosenis, who lives nearby, said additional septic systems and wells in a tight area could create health and water‑availability concerns and argued the change would be inconsistent with surrounding land uses.

Planning staff and staff with DPH explained that the parcel may not support five individual lots because DPH requires one acre of usable soil per lot and a 60‑foot access easement; the board was told a soil‑suitability survey had not been submitted. Commissioners concluded the hearing without sufficient evidence that the proposed five‑lot plan was technically feasible and voted to recommend denial; the item will be forwarded to the Effingham County Board of Commissioners on April 7.

What happens next: The applicant may pursue soil testing, revise the application (for example to AR3 with larger minimum lots) or present additional survey data to the county commission.