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Commission denies Conditional Use Permit for mobile home at 105 Mustang Dr.
Summary
Cusseta–Chattahoochee County commissioners denied a Conditional Use Permit requested by the Lopez family to replace a 1990 mobile home at 105 Mustang Dr., after neighbors presented petitions and argued the lot and neighborhood are intended for stick‑built homes.
The Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County on Dec. 3 denied a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) sought by the Lopez family to replace an existing 1990 mobile home at 105 Mustang Dr.
Janet Lopez, the property owner, told the board she bought the 1‑acre lot to be near family and wants to “replace the existing mobile home with a new mobile home” because the current unit has black mold and she needs safer housing for a teenager and a newborn. Planning and zoning had recommended approval, and the property is zoned R‑1.
Neighbors who spoke in opposition said the street is primarily stick‑built houses and argued local zoning provisions limit new manufactured homes. Matt McAdams, a nearby resident, cited Appendix A.3 on conditional uses and said preowned manufactured homes “shall only be permitted in R1 and R3” when conditions apply; other neighbors presented a petition opposing the CUP. Melissa Haymond said the neighborhood had not taken in a new manufactured home in more than 20 years and that existing units were “grandfathered in.” Meeting materials recorded 44 signatures opposing the permit.
Commission discussion highlighted both the neighborhood’s concerns and the countywide scope of the CUP process. Commissioner Jason Frost and Vice‑Chairman Timothy Biddle said the conditional‑use procedure applies countywide and indicated the board should review the ordinance. Chairman Charles Coffey noted the county previously removed a five‑acre limitation and said the CUP process was established to help tax base but had created local tensions; he told the Lopez family, “we want people to be able to use their properties,” while acknowledging neighbor opposition and legal constraints.
After a motion to table failed, Biddle moved to deny the CUP; Commissioner Gerald Douglas seconded. The motion passed unanimously among commissioners present (Coffey, Biddle, Douglas and Jason Frost); Commissioner Damon Hoyte was absent.
The record shows planning and zoning’s recommendation of approval but the commission exercised its authority to deny the CUP following public comment and deliberation. Commissioners said they plan to revisit conditional‑use procedures in future meetings to clarify criteria and avoid similar neighborhood disputes.
The Lopez family was thanked for attending; the board’s denial does not itself change zoning text and any future applicants would follow the same public‑hearing process.
What happens next: The commissioners indicated a desire to review and possibly revise the county’s conditional‑use procedure; no formal ordinance change was taken Dec. 3. The commission entered executive session later that evening to discuss legal matters and reconvened with no additional votes on the CUP.
