Commission approves rezoning, grants buffer variance at 2630 Old Cornelia Highway for sign shop

Hall County’s Planning Commission approved both a rezoning and a variance for a 0.91± acre property at 2630 Old Cornelia Highway on Aug. 18 to allow a sign manufacturing and printing operation. The applicant sought rezoning from Suburban Shopping (S‑S) to Light Industrial (I‑1) and a reduction of the required vegetated buffer from 30 feet to zero along an eastern property line where a shared access easement exists. The commission voted 5-0 to approve both requests with conditions (motions by Frank Sosebee and André Castleberry; votes 5-0).

Staff presented the request; James Irvin and property representative Phillip Gillespie said the building would be partially occupied by a sign shop while the remainder would be tenant space. Commissioners discussed tenant use and asked staff to add a condition acknowledging tenant space. The approval includes a granted variance to eliminate the transitional buffer for the abutting residentially zoned parcels, a condition requiring a 6‑foot opaque fence at the concrete loading dock abutting the residential property, a limit on hours of operation (Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.–12 p.m.), and a condition that no more than 50% of the building may be used as leased office space.

The commission also noted an electronic public comment in opposition to a related item earlier on the agenda and incorporated appropriate consideration of that input. The conditions and recorded statement about adjacent agricultural operations must be included on plats and construction plans moving forward.