Long County approves land-use element amendment; map sent for regional and state review

The Long County Board of Commissioners voted April 9 to approve the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Amendment to the Land Use Element and to hold quarterly reviews of the county's future land-use map.

County Manager Shane Richardson told the public the updated map "is a planning tool, not a zoning map and does not regulate property use," and that it reflects input gathered from stakeholder meetings and previous public comment. Richardson said, if approved, the map will be submitted to the Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for review; he estimated the review process will take about 45 days.

Members of the public raised concerns during the hearing that some agricultural areas are shown as residential and questioned whether the draft map reflects prior public input. Commenters urged the Board to preserve land-use consistency, protect opportunities for commercial and economic development, and ensure clear alignment between the future land-use map and the county's current zoning map.

Vice Chairman Gerald Blocker moved to approve the amendment; Commissioner James Craft seconded the motion with the caveat that the Board hold quarterly meetings to review and update the map as needed. The motion passed. The minutes record an adoption signature block dated May 5, 2026, signed by Chairman Jeremy Hall and County Clerk Brandi Smiley.

Next steps: the approved map and accompanying materials will be submitted for review by regional and state review bodies, after which the Board will receive the findings and may take a final adoption vote following that review.