Paulding County planning panel backs multiple rezonings, tables Hickory Creek PRD revision

The Paulding County Planning Commission on May 26, 2026, recommended approval of multiple rezoning requests and a special-use permit and voted to table one PRD site-plan revision, sending all recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for final action.

The commission unanimously approved minutes from its March 24 meeting before taking up land-use items. For application 2026-03-Z, applicant Jose Raul Castillo sought to rezone about 12.30 acres from B-2 (Highway Business) to R-1 (Rural Residential) and requested a variance reducing minimum public road frontage from 100 feet to 30 feet. Planning staff indicated the item had been tabled previously to allow a revised site plan. After commissioner questions and no public comment, the panel recommended approval with two stipulations: that access on SR 61 be coordinated and approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation, and that a mandatory homeowners association is not required for the two proposed R-1 tracts; the variance was granted. The motion to recommend approval passed 7-0.

The commission also considered a proposed revision to the Hickory Creek PRD site plan (2026-02-SPSA) for a 1.63-acre amenity addition. Attorney Dani Blumenthal requested time to revise the plan; the commission voted unanimously to TABLE the application to the June 23 Planning Commission meeting to allow those revisions.

LG Hiram Property LLC requested rezoning and a special-use permit (2026-05-Z & 2026-02-SUP) to continue an existing convenience store with added retail and a proposed package store component; the property is petitioning annexation into the City of Hiram. Attorney Joel Larkin said the applicant was amenable to staff’s recommended condition. Resident Chask Holley, who lives directly behind the site, opposed the package store component and cited concerns about proximity to his home, litter and neighborhood impacts. After discussion and rebuttal, the commission recommended approval with staff stipulations and forwarded the recommendation to the City of Hiram for consideration; the recommendation vote was 4 in favor, 2 against and 1 abstention.

Applicant Jesus Rodriguez asked to rezone 1.76 acres from R-2 (Suburban Residential) to B-1 (General Business) to relocate and build a 6,000-square-foot restaurant (2026-06-Z). Multiple residents spoke in support, describing the business as family- and community-oriented and noting the business has operated locally for more than 20 years; other neighbors raised concerns about trash, loitering, noise and traffic. In response to a pronunciation question, Rodriguez said the restaurant name is pronounced “lohs mah-GEY-yehs.” The commission recommended approval with staff-recommended stipulations plus three additional right-of-way and access conditions tied to planned SR 92 widening work; the motion passed unanimously.

Finally, White Creek Builders requested rezoning of 10 acres from A-1 (Agricultural) to R-1 for a five-lot rural residential subdivision (2026-07-Z). Presenter Brian Stover said one home already exists on the site and the remaining homes would be farm- and ranch-style in the $400,000–$500,000 range. Chairman Jacob Wix shared Paulding County School District projections indicating roughly three additional students per grade in the affected area and cited current nearby school capacity percentages for context. The commission recommended approval with a staff condition; the vote was 5 in favor, 1 against and 1 abstention.

Votes at a glance: 2026-03-Z (Castillo rezoning + variance) — recommended approval (7-0); 2026-02-SPSA (Hickory Creek PRD revision) — tabled to June 23, 2026 (7-0 to table); 2026-05-Z & 2026-02-SUP (LG Hiram rezoning & SUP) — recommended approval, recommendation will be forwarded to City of Hiram (4-2-1); 2026-06-Z (Rodriguez restaurant) — recommended approval with added access/right-of-way stipulations (7-0); 2026-07-Z (White Creek Builders subdivision) — recommended approval (5-1-1).

The Planning Commission’s recommendations and the Hickory Creek deferral will be transmitted to the Paulding County Board of Commissioners; the Board’s next meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The Planning Commission adjourned at 3:58 p.m.