Planning board recommends approval of Mr. Palmer’s wild-game processing home-occupation

The Troup County Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission on April 9 recommended approval of a home-occupation application submitted for 340 Abbotsford Road that proposes a wild-game processing business. Chair called the single public-hearing item, noted the applicant was present, and the board voted to approve the applicant by voice/hand raise.

Ruth, a staff member who presented the application, said the parcel consists of 41.40 acres in a Lakeside residential zoning district and that "a wild game processing business is not listed as a permitted home occupation under Lakeside residential zoning for parcels over 2 acres." She described operational limits staff will require and review: an accessory building limit for rural home occupations, a single on‑lot sign restricted to nine square feet, no outdoor storage except for trade vehicles (no more than 10,000 pounds), on-site employees limited to residents plus two, and required permits and approvals from the Troup County Health Department and the Department of Natural Resources (environmental protection division). Ruth also noted roads and engineering must approve all‑weather parking and that the item is a first reading and vote‑eligible to the board to forward a recommendation to the County Board of Commissioners.

The applicant identified in the hearing as Mr. Palmer said he would use an existing building on the property and described its size and equipment: "It's, 60 by 80 something like that," and confirmed the facility will include "a cooler and a freezer and a cutting." He told the board no new building was planned beyond use of the existing structure.

A board member moved to approve the application; another member seconded the motion and it carried. The board's action on April 9 was a recommendation; the County Board of Commissioners will receive the referral and make the final determination on permits and business licensing.