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Stephens County planning commission approves four rezones and a conditional-use permit for small private school
Summary
At its June 2 meeting the Stephens County Planning Commission approved rezoning requests for four parcels (changing small acreages from Agricultural Intensive to Agricultural Residential) and granted a conditional-use permit to allow a small private school at Grace Covenant Fellowship that would serve grades 4–8 with a capacity up to 50 students.
Stephens County — The Stephens County Planning Commission on June 2 approved four rezoning requests and a conditional-use permit that would allow a small private school to operate at Grace Covenant Fellowship.
Staff presented rezoning requests to change small portions of several larger parcels from Agricultural Intensive (AI) to Agricultural Residential (AR). The approved rezonings were: (1) approximately 3 acres at 677 Shady Lane (Terry Douly); (2) 3.23 acres at Oakbrook Trail (Elijah Webb); (3) 1.484 acres of a 33.36-acre parcel at 1200 Shady Lane (Matthew Mudge); and (4) 3.24 acres of an 18.10-acre parcel on D4 Road (Brent Haddock). For each item staff recommended approval, commissioners called for public comment (none was offered for the rezoning items), and each request passed on a voice vote.
On the conditional-use item, Erin Santo applied on behalf of Grace Covenant Fellowship to operate a small private school at 2011 Aloine Drive within an existing church property. Christian (planning staff) said the request is eligible as a conditional use in the Commercial General zoning district and staff recommended approval.
Amy Leair, who identified herself as an educator and member of Grace Fellowship, said the proposed school would serve grades 4–8, operate Monday–Friday from about 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., and would use existing church space and low-impact outdoor cabins behind the church. “My heart and vision is to start a ministry of the church…we hope to serve Takcoa and surrounding counties,” Leair said, adding the school would support experiential outdoor learning aligned to Georgia standards and would enroll up to about 50 students.
Tim Orard, associate pastor at Grace Fellowship, told the commission the program would use roughly 1.382 acres of the church property and that the congregation supports the proposal; he said senior pastor Aaron Santor submitted the request on the church’s behalf but was unable to attend.
The planning commission approved the conditional-use permit by voice vote. Staff said the commission’s approvals are recommendations and final action will be taken by the Stephens County Board of Commissioners at its next meeting (staff cited Tuesday the 23rd).
What this means: If the Board of Commissioners confirms the planning commission’s recommendations, the rezoned parcels will be allowed limited residential home-site development under the AR district, and Grace Covenant Fellowship may proceed with local permitting steps to establish the proposed small private school.
