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Cusseta–Chattahoochee commissioners deny Conditional Use Permit for Lopez family after neighborhood opposition
Summary
Commissioners voted to deny a Conditional Use Permit for 105 Mustang Dr. after neighbors presented a 44-signature petition and argued the street is principally stick-built; commissioners said the CUP process needs review but upheld zoning rules.
The Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County voted Dec. 3 to deny a Conditional Use Permit sought by Janet Lopez to replace a deteriorating 1990 mobile home with a new manufactured home at 105 Mustang Dr.
At a public hearing and later during the regular meeting, multiple neighbors said Mustang Drive is predominantly stick-built homes and that adding a manufactured home would harm property values. Chairman Charles Coffey said, “Just for the record we have 44 signatures against this,” and commissioners noted the petition and ordinance language in their deliberations. Resident Matt McAdams cited Appendix A.3, section 11 of the county ordinance and argued the request did not meet the ordinance conditions for preowned/manufactured homes in R‑1 zones.
Janet Lopez, the applicant, told the commission she purchased the 1‑acre lot to be near family and to provide a stable home for a teenager and a newborn, saying the current 1990 unit has black mold. “No matter what the decision is, I still enjoy the people around me,” Lopez said during public comment.
Commissioner Jason Frost moved to table the matter to the December work session but the motion failed for lack of a second. Commissioner Timothy Biddle then moved to deny the CUP; Commissioner Gerald Douglas seconded and the motion passed. Chairman Coffey expressed sympathy to the Lopez family and said the CUP process has been intended to help property owners but has sometimes been “abused,” while also pointing to the neighborhood’s majority stick‑built character.
The denial does not by itself change county zoning law; several commissioners and staff said they would revisit the county’s conditional‑use procedures and the prior 5‑acre rule cited by neighbors. The commission’s action was recorded at the Dec. 3 meeting and the minutes were certified in the Jan. 7, 2025 meeting.
