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Commissioners approve rezoning to allow multi‑story self‑storage on Harry McCarty Road with strict limits
Summary
After public hearing and questions about visibility and phased outdoor storage, Barrow County commissioners approved a future‑land‑use change and rezoning that permits multi‑story climate‑controlled self‑storage at 751 Harry McCarty Road, subject to architectural and operational conditions including a 50‑foot buffer and a 2‑acre cap on outside storage.
The Barrow County Board of Commissioners approved a future land‑use amendment and rezoning request for 751 Harry McCarty Road on Feb. 11, allowing the property to convert to C‑3 zoning to accommodate climate‑controlled self‑storage buildings.
Stanton Porter, the applicant, told commissioners the site re‑entered the county after a de‑annexation from Winder and that the proposal includes “just under 12,000 square foot buildings” and “a 50 foot buffer” between the development and adjacent residences. Porter said the developer aims to keep more intensive uses away from homes and place stormwater detention on the side of the property away from the neighborhood.
Commissioners amended staff conditions before approving the rezoning. The board’s motion preserved the highway corridor overlay’s architectural standards but removed the overlay’s automatic prohibition on self‑storage for this parcel; limited façade material requirements to the front and side facades of the first building facing Harry McCarty; required that self‑storage be internal‑access for the first phases; prevented automatic reduction of the 50‑foot zoning buffer; and capped outside RV/boat storage at two acres.
One commissioner summarized the package when moving the rezone, saying the board would include corridor standards but “explicitly excludes, removes the prohibition against self storage,” and applies building‑material standards only to the front building. The motion passed after a second and a voice vote.
The approval follows staff and planning commission recommendations for denial; commissioners and the applicant discussed visibility from Highway 316, building materials, phased construction, and the economic viability of brick versus metal facades. The conditions reflect those concerns by requiring a modest amount of corridor‑style façade treatment while permitting metal construction elsewhere to preserve project feasibility.
The decision does not authorize any construction drawings; the applicant must comply with site‑development standards and any required permits and special uses before building begins.
