Planning commission denies rezoning request for High Falls Road mini-warehouse proposal

The Spalding County Planning Commission on July 28 denied application 26-11Z, a request from Blocker and Rochester LLC to rezone Parcel 22001009 (1767 High Falls Road) from R-2 to C-1C for a mini‑warehouse and outdoor storage yard. Staff had recommended denial, saying the proposed use did not meet the airport‑overlay guidelines and the submitted concept lacked required site‑plan information.

“Right now, as it stands, we recommend denial for rezoning,” Miss Morales told the commission, citing missing elements in the site submittal and concerns about compliance with the airport overlay. Applicant counsel Laura Benz argued the property was rendered unsuitable for residential use after the airport authority acquired most of the original tract and described a conceptual plan of 10 storage buildings and outdoor parking, noting structures would be kept under 10 feet to meet height restrictions. Resident Harvey Clark, who lives a few hundred feet from the site, said he feared noise and late‑night unauthorized uses, asking that hours and access be controlled: “If we can just make sure it stays quiet in there or they can't come in there after 10PM and can't come back in till, you know, 7AM, that's fine with me,” Clark said.

A motion to deny the rezoning was made by Douglas Hardwick and seconded by Mr. Harris; the chair announced the motion carried (the board signified agreement). The denial leaves the parcel in R-2; staff and applicants discussed next steps including completing a traffic study and any site‑specific conditions should a future application be filed.