Gordon County planning panel approves variance and series of rezonings; two duplex proposals draw objections

The Gordon County Planning Commission met May 11 and unanimously approved a variance and a slate of rezoning requests that will allow several new single‑family homes, manufactured homes and a small number of duplexes across the county.

Chairman Randy Rule opened the public hearing at 6:00 p.m. with commissioners Jerry Lovelace and Tommy Hibberts present. The commission first approved the minutes of the prior meeting by unanimous voice vote.

The panel granted variance application #VAR-26-5 for property at 636 Brooks Court in Ranger after applicant Wayne Cussin said the lot’s steep, irregular topography left insufficient buildable area for his planned retirement house. Commissioner Jerry Lovelace moved approval, Tommy Hibberts seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The commission then took up multiple rezoning requests. Thomas Revill Caldwell’s application #RZ-2026-020 to rezone about 1.42 acres at 377 Regina Forest Road SW from A‑1 (Agriculture) to R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential) was approved; Caldwell said he intends to build a home next to his parents. Laura Pesak spoke for Karen and Glenn Littell’s request #RZ-2026-021 to rezone 3.61 acres at 1138 Rome Road SW from A‑1 to RA‑1 in conjunction with a boundary‑line adjustment; the commission approved the change to allow the applicants to be closer to family.

Joey English’s #RZ-2026-022 to rezone roughly 1.25 acres at 583 South Holcomb Road from A‑1 to R‑1 ‘‘to bring each existing dwelling onto its own parcel’’ was approved. Erin Hensley’s #RZ-2026-023 to rezone a 0.39‑acre lot at 229 Hood Street from A‑1 to R‑6 (Manufactured Housing) to replace the existing dwelling with a two‑bedroom manufactured home was approved as presented.

Alvaro Cardenas’s #RZ-2026-024 (about 2.1 acres at 134 Johnson Drive SE) to rezone from A‑1 to R‑1 for possible future subdivision, Shannon Norman’s #RZ-2026-025 (two acres at 151 and 155 Mountain Loop Road) to rezone to R‑6 for subdivision, and Angela Quarrels‑Wesley’s #RZ-2026-026 (561 and 563 Greeson Rd) to rezone to R‑6 to divide property among heirs all received unanimous approval.

Two rezoning requests to R‑4 (Residential Multifamily) that would allow duplexes prompted public comment. Applicant Randy Abernathy’s #RZ-2026-027 for a 0.7‑acre parcel at 104 DeFoor Loop drew public comment from Tim Hensley, who raised concerns about potential road widening, reduced property values and increased traffic. Abernathy’s separate #RZ-2026-028 on Midway Drive also drew opposition from Gary Pettit and Tim Hensley, who said the duplexes would disrupt the neighborhood and add traffic. Commissioners voted to approve both rezoning requests despite the objections; motions carried unanimously.

All motions reported in the hearing record were moved and seconded as noted in the minutes and recorded as unanimous approvals by the three commissioners present. With no additional business, the commission adjourned at about 6:50 p.m.; the minutes bear the signatures of Randy Rule, Chairman, and Charmon VanDyke, Secretary.

The approvals change the zoning designations on multiple small parcels across Gordon County and permit a mix of single‑family, manufactured‑housing and duplex development; applicants said most rezonings are intended to bring existing residences into compliance or to allow modest new home construction. The planning staff confirmed that public notices were posted for each property as required.