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Heard County re-notices ELA amendment; developers discuss GDOT access changes and June permit deadline
Summary
The Board voted to re-notice an amendment to the ELA zoning ordinance and heard from developers who said GDOT denied an original access plan and approved three driveway entrances on Highway 100, with permits set to expire June 18, 2026; the County Attorney said rezoning and variance rules still apply.
The Heard County Board of Commissioners voted on May 19 to re-notice a proposed text amendment to the county’s ELA zoning ordinance and heard a detailed update from developers about access approvals from the Georgia Department of Transportation.
County Attorney Michael Hill advised the Board that the ordinance amendment should be re-noticed and considered at a future public hearing; the Board unanimously approved a motion to re-notice the amendment for the June meeting.
Developers Ryan Maddox and Shane White described GDOT’s decision-making on access for two previously approved ELA developments. According to Mr. White, GDOT denied the originally proposed access roads and instead approved three separate driveway entrances on Highway 100, each serving four lots. Mr. White presented alternative configurations, including a proposed land swap that could allow a connection to Frolona Road.
The County Attorney cautioned that any acreage newly acquired that was not included in the original rezoning would require a separate rezoning, and acreage removed from an ELA would need to be rezoned to match the receiving property. He also noted that variances to ELA easement requirements must be approved by the Planning Commission.
Commissioners discussed a single through-road concept to permit school-bus access but acknowledged that the GDOT-approved three-entrance plan may be the only viable option within the developers’ permit timeframe. The developers and commissioners noted the GDOT permits expire June 18, 2026; the Board did not take action on the access plans at the meeting and the County’s Building and Zoning Director may approve final plans consistent with the ordinance.
The Board instructed staff to publish required notices for the re-noticed ordinance and to continue coordination among county planning staff, the developers and GDOT ahead of the June meeting.
