Planning commission backs zoning and subdivision amendments, removes half‑acre lot allowance

Upson County's Planning Commission voted to recommend a consolidated package of zoning text amendments and a revised subdivision ordinance to the county commissioners, advancing changes that include striking a half‑acre lot allowance in R‑2 districts, clarifying accessory dwelling unit (ADU) definitions, and requiring internal roads for major subdivisions.

Staff presented a memo summarizing changes compiled from prior meetings and consultant work; the draft also re‑incorporates ordinances adopted since 2022 that had not been codified. The board discussed ADU rules and retained the limitation that an ADU cannot be used as a rental unit; staff said ADU size should be measured as livable floor area (minimum 400 sq ft; maximum 50% of the heated floor area of the primary dwelling or 1,500 sq ft, whichever is less).

On subdivision rules, staff proposed clearer definitions: a 'lot division' (up to five lots, administrative review), a 'minor subdivision' (more than five lots without new infrastructure), and a 'major subdivision' (requires new infrastructure and preliminary plat review). Commissioners expressed concern about the county's outdated parcel maps and limited data to predict the impact of allowing half‑acre lots. Citing that uncertainty and public preference for a rural character, the commission voted to remove the half‑acre allowance from the recommended draft.

The board also unanimously recommended requiring internal roads for subdivisions that create more than five lots in R districts (with different handling for AR five‑acre minimum parcels). Members urged the planning staff to pursue an updated parcel/zoning map and suggested a later effort to develop a unified development code to simplify the rules.

The commission's recommendation and the draft ordinance will be forwarded to the county commissioners; staff said a first reading is scheduled for the commissioners on the 28th.