Planning board recommends rezoning 1.61 acres on Neese Road to AR‑2 with no‑split condition

The Effingham County Planning Board on July 8 recommended rezoning 1.61 acres of a 12.38‑acre tract at 446 Neese Road from AR‑1 to AR‑2 to allow the applicant to convey that parcel to family members. The recommendation was unanimous and will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final action at the Aug. 5 meeting.

Planning staff Chelsea said the application is complete and noted that Neese Road is a county‑maintained road and that the future land use map projects the property as agricultural/residential. Applicant Darren Dickerson told the board he is settling his mother’s estate and intends to rezone the 1.61 acres to give to his children.

Board members discussed potential for further subdivision under AR‑2 and noted that AR‑2 can allow smaller lot sizes if public water is available; one board member observed that “the code for AR 2 allows for half acre AR 2 lots,” which could increase yield if utilities and site conditions permit. The board also noted there is a wetland behind the parcel that likely constrains further subdivision. The applicant agreed to accept a condition that the 1.61‑acre rezoned portion not be split further.

The board voted to recommend approval with the no‑split condition; a second was recorded and the motion passed unanimously. The planning board reiterated that the recommendation is advisory and that the Board of Commissioners will make the final decision on Aug. 5. If commissioners approve the rezoning, development services must review and sign the plat and the plat must be recorded for the zoning to take effect.