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Henry County adopts major rewrite of zoning code and official zoning map
Summary
After a three‑year process and public hearings, Henry County adopted a new Unified Land Development Code, an aligned update to the comprehensive plan, and an official zoning map; staff emphasized overlays for the Central District and airport area and stricter environmental/tree protections, while residents raised concerns about accessory structures and data‑center transparency.
The Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a comprehensive rewrite of Henry County's Unified Land Development Code (ULDC), the official zoning map and administrative updates aligning the 2023 comprehensive plan with the new code.
Planning staff and consultant Nathan Brown (TSW) summarized the effort as a three‑year rewrite that reorganizes the code, modernizes use categories, adds three overlays (Central District, North Ola/Kellytown and Airport Area), strengthens tree preservation and open‑space requirements, and establishes special‑use review processes for sensitive uses including data centers. "We took a look at the nonresidential uses... we did create a pretty solid page and a half of use standards for data centers that will allow the county to really have a thorough investigation before any of those are ever even proposed," Brown said. Staff noted 359 unique online public comments were received and said the document will continue to be refined as staff administers it.
During the public hearing, Walnut Creek Watershed Coalition representative Mark LaRue praised the tree and native‑plant changes but urged that environmental impact summaries and operations management plans for data centers be made available for public review prior to approvals. Resident Carla Owens thanked staff but raised questions about accessory structures and whether new mixed‑housing rules make it easier for developers to alter neighborhood character. Planning staff responded that data centers are not allowed by right and would require a special‑use permit and public process; they also said the code retains pathways for residents to request variances or conditional uses.
The board approved each resolution separately: adoption of the ULDC and official zoning map, updates to comp‑plan terminology to align with the ULDC, and the airport area design guidelines (the last as a non‑public‑hearing guidance document). Staff said the changes were intended to make standards clearer and more enforceable and to provide design guidance for long‑range implementation.
