Pickens County planning panel recommends rezoning of 13.3-acre Tompkins Rock parcel to highway business

The Pickens County Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning request for a 13.32-acre parcel (Parcel 018019) at 86 Highway 136 Connector, moving the land’s designation from agricultural to Highway Business.

Planning staff presented the case and recommended approval, saying the property’s location at a newly constructed roundabout and surrounding mix of commercial and residential uses make a commercial designation compatible. “In summary, the staff recommends approval of the Rezoning request to enhance the property's economic potential,” planning staff member Charles said during the hearing.

The applicant’s representative, Mike Ray, argued the parcel is appropriate for commercial uses and noted that recent roadway improvements and the roundabout improve access. Ray said the site was “highly suitable for a Highway Business District” and asked the commission to recommend approval so the property could be marketed for commercial uses such as storage, mechanical services or convenience-oriented businesses.

Commissioners pressed the applicant about traffic impacts, access control by the Georgia Department of Transportation and proposed vegetative buffers to protect adjacent residences. Ray and staff said DOT driveway rules and standard development buffering would apply; staff confirmed buffering requirements are included in the recommendation.

Chair read an email from resident Mary Bell opposing commercial rezoning and urging that the land remain agricultural, explicitly saying she did not want a Dollar General or gas station at the site. Commissioners discussed that specific tenants cannot be excluded purely by zoning but noted community concerns and encouraged vegetative buffering and prudent site design.

A motion to approve the application as submitted was moved by Charles and seconded; the commission closed the hearing and forwarded a recommendation of approval to the Pickens County Board of Commissioners. Staff noted the planning commission issues a recommendation and that final action rests with the Board of Commissioners.

Next steps: the commission’s recommendation will be included in the record sent to the Board of Commissioners for final consideration; no final decision on development form or tenants was made by the planning commission.