Cusseta–Chattahoochee commissioners deny permit for manufactured home at 105 Mustang Dr.

Cusseta—On Dec. 3, 2024, the Board of Commissioners of the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County unanimously denied a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) that would have allowed the Lopez family to replace a 1990 mobile home at 105 Mustang Dr. with a new manufactured home.

The decision followed a public hearing in which neighbors presented a petition of 44 signatures opposing the permit and argued the street is a predominately stick-built residential neighborhood. "I purchased the property because my son lives at the end of the street and he is in the military," applicant Janet Lopez said, explaining she bought the lot to support her family. Several neighbors urged denial, saying the lot is suitable for a stick-built home and that the presence of a new manufactured dwelling would harm property values and neighborhood character. "The majority is stick built homes," resident Matt McAdams told commissioners.

The hearing included remarks from Planning & Zoning Chairman Brent Ingersoll, who was in the audience; the record shows Planning & Zoning had recommended approval. Commissioner Timothy Biddle said the CUP process applies countywide and "we do need to go back and visit the conditional use permit and change or tweak the permit." Chairman Charles Coffey noted prior changes to county rules that removed a five-acre requirement and recorded the petition opposing the permit, saying the CUP process has at times "driven a wedge in our county, neighbor against neighbor."

After discussion, Commissioner Biddle moved to deny the CUP for 105 Mustang Dr.; Commissioner Gerald Douglas seconded. The board voted unanimously to deny the request. Present commissioners were Chairman Charles Coffey, Vice-Chairman Timothy Biddle, Commissioner Gerald Douglas and Commissioner Jason Frost; Commissioner Damon Hoyte was absent.

The minutes show the denial was based on neighborhood character, the petition from adjoining residents, and current county zoning standards; the record also notes Planning & Zoning had earlier recommended approval. The County Attorney, Bin Minter, told the board that changing the CUP process itself would require formal action by the Commission.

Janet Lopez thanked the neighbors and the board for hearing her case and said she will remain a part of the community regardless of the decision. The Commission did not adopt an alternative permit or defer the matter to staff; the minutes state the CUP was denied and the public hearing was closed. The board entered executive session later that evening for unrelated legal matters and reconvened before adjourning.