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Newton County commissioners table Hwy 81 rezoning for 60 days after public objections
Summary
A proposal to rezone 3.63 acres on Hwy 81 from R-2 to CG for a multi-tenant retail building (REZ26-000004) drew public opposition and was tabled for 60 days by the board on a 5-0 vote.
Newton County commissioners on June 16, 2026 tabled Zoning Case REZ26-000004, a request to rezone 3.63 acres on Highway 81 from R-2 (single-family residential) to CG (General Commercial), after a public hearing in which residents raised objections.
The petition described proposed conditions if approved, including façade materials matching concept plans, landscaping along Highway 81 and Cowan Road, an eight‑foot opaque fence along the west property boundary if an entrance is permitted within the transitional buffer on Cowan Road, and a list of disallowed uses (tattoo parlor, vape shop, pawn shop, and gas station/convenience store with gas pumps). Hayley Todd (applicant representative, PEC+) presented the petition and recommended conditions.
Public testimony opened at 7:41 p.m.; Joseph Price spoke in support of the petition, while Nwaka Hughes, an unidentified citizen, Laura Brewer and Linda Gamble spoke in opposition. Following public comment, Commissioner Demond Mason moved to table the case for 60 days; Commissioner Stan Edwards seconded. The motion carried 5-0, pausing final action until the board reconsiders the item or until staff returns with additional information.
The board’s action preserves the applicant’s current zoning status for the near term and allows time for further review or negotiation on conditions if the applicant chooses to proceed.
