Whitfield County joint planning bodies approve four rezoning requests, including Salvation Army transitional housing plan

Whitfield County planning officials and the Dalton-Varnell-Whitfield Planning Commission on Aug. 24 approved four rezoning requests after staff recommended approval for each parcel. The requests included two small family-lot splits in county agricultural areas, a parcel on Cleveland Highway reverting from neighborhood commercial to residential, and a set of city parcels the Salvation Army says it will redevelop for transitional housing.

Nathan “Ethan” Calhoun, planner with the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, told commissioners that staff saw no adverse impacts from any application and recommended approval in each case. "All of that to say, staff recommendation is to approve," Calhoun said. The planning commission took motions and seconded each item; the chair announced the ayes and each motion carried on the record.

The approved county requests include a 1‑acre split at 2771 Deep Springs Road to R‑5 to separate an existing single‑family home and a 2‑acre split at 1337 Wimpey Road so the family can retain their home. A 0.37‑acre parcel at 2319 Cleveland Highway was rezoned from C‑1 back to R‑2 so the existing house may be used as a residence. In the city, three small parcels (approx. 0.7 acres total, addresses recorded on the public record) were rezoned from R‑5 to C‑1a to allow two duplex units on the Salvation Army campus; Jake Bearden, speaking for the organization, said the change removes setback barriers that previously complicated development.

The record shows no public opposition during the hearings; commissioners moved into closed deliberation for each item and then returned to vote. The meeting also included a brief city plat discussion under R‑3 standards before the body adjourned.