Habersham Commissioners rule on three land-use requests

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Habersham County Commissioners approved a special-use permit for a diesel repair shop, rejected a residential rezoning request and approved a commercial rezoning during three public hearings Oct. 19.

The decisions addressed requests involving properties on Fairview School Road, Cody Road and Hollywood Hills Road.

Diesel repair shop approved with restrictions

Commissioners unanimously approved Austin Fox’s request for a special-use permit to operate a light-duty diesel repair shop at 551 Fairview School Road near Mount Airy.

The property covers 8.94 acres and is zoned rural residential. Fox told Commissioners he lives on the property and works primarily on diesel pickup trucks rather than semitrailers or box trucks.

Fox said he typically works on five to 10 vehicles per week. Repairs, fluids and parts are kept inside the shop, and he does not store vehicles or equipment outdoors.

The shop is located in front of Fox’s home, about 230 feet from the Fairview School Road right of way. Fox said he takes pride in keeping the shop clean and organized.

The request followed a code enforcement complaint after the business moved from a commercial property to Fox’s current location. Planning Director Mike Beecham explained that the county clerk had reissued Fox’s business license at the new address, but the license should not have been issued for the new location without the special-use permit process.

Beecham said the county subsequently directed Fox to seek the permit.

The Planning Commission recommended approval without conditions, although members discussed possible restrictions involving operating hours, screening and the number of vehicles being serviced.

No one spoke for or against the request during the county commission hearing.

Commissioners approved the permit with two conditions: The shop may operate only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and no more than 15 vehicles may be worked on at one time.

Commissioners reject Cody Road rezoning

Commissioners unanimously denied Jonathan Smith’s request to rezone 5.82 acres at 2101 Cody Road from agricultural to suburban residential.

Smith said he wanted flexibility to divide the property into smaller lots for family members while retaining about 2.8 acres for himself. He said the remaining acreage would be too small for agricultural use under the current zoning requirements.

However, Smith acknowledged he did not have a finalized development plan.

Planning Director Mike Beecham told Commissioners the existing zoning already would allow Smith to create two one-acre parcels without rezoning the property. A larger subdivision would require additional review.

The Planning Commission had recommended denial after a motion to approve failed to receive a second.

Two people spoke against the request during the county hearing.

Douglas McDonald, an 81-year-old longtime resident and landowner who said his property borders the rezoning site on two sides, urged Commissioners to preserve the area’s agricultural character. He questioned the lack of a detailed development plan and raised concerns about the property’s suitability for residential development.

Blaine Wazden also raised concerns about residential growth amid surrounding farmland and warned against development patterns he associated with urban sprawl.

Smith responded that he had been consistent about wanting options for his family and said he had not committed to a specific development.

Commissioner Kelly Woodall moved to deny the request, citing the Planning Commission’s recommendation and Smith’s lack of a defined plan to justify changing the zoning. Woodall also noted that the current zoning allows a residence on the property.

The board approved the motion unanimously.

Commercial rezoning approved on Hollywood Hills Road

Commissioners also approved Timothy Carrier’s request to rezone 1.99 acres at 123 Hollywood Hills Road from rural residential to general commercial.

Carrier recently purchased the property next to a small commercial building he already owns at the intersection of a four-lane highway and Hollywood Hills Road. He said he wanted the two properties to have matching zoning.

Carrier told commissioners the property previously contained a dilapidated manufactured home and that he removed multiple dumpsters of trash after purchasing it.

He initially considered building a home on the property but said commercial development across the road made residential use less appealing. He said he has no immediate development plans and wants the property to remain useful for the long term.

The surrounding area includes residential, agricultural and commercial uses, with commercial buildings located nearby.

The Planning Commission recommended approval.

Wazden also spoke during this hearing, initially expressing concerns about residential development. He later realized the request was for commercial zoning rather than suburban residential zoning and asked that his comments be removed from consideration.

Commissioners approved Carrier’s request, allowing the newly acquired parcel to be zoned consistently with his adjacent commercial property.