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Planning commission approves broad changes to Stephens County land use ordinance
Summary
The commission approved amendments to Chapter 59 that add definitions (flag lot, panhandle lot) and raise minimum tract/frontage widths across multiple zoning districts (many to 150–200 feet); staff said the changes aim to prepare for growth and will go to the Board of Commissioners for readings on Jan. 28 and later.
Stephens County planning staff presented proposed amendments to the county Land Use Ordinance (Chapter 59) on Jan. 7 and the planning commission voted to recommend approval after a public hearing. Key changes include new definitions for flag lots and panhandle lots and increases to minimum tract/right‑of‑way frontage widths in multiple zoning categories — with several districts raised to 150 or 200 feet depending on the use.
Staff said the amendments were developed following direction from the commission and board in August 2024 and revised after a mid‑October planning commission review. Staff advised the commission that the amendments would take effect after the Board of Commissioners hearing scheduled Jan. 28; staff also noted that previously approved plats would be grandfathered and not retroactively subject to the new standards. During the public hearing commissioners asked for clarity about cul‑de‑sac panhandle lots and alignment with subdivision language; staff agreed some clarifying language could be added to reconcile differences between Chapter 59 and the subdivision ordinance.
