Planning board backs 8.92‑acre Courthouse Road rezoning to AR‑2 with two‑lot limit

The Effingham County Planning Board on July 8 recommended rezoning approximately 8.92 acres on Courthouse Road (map 324, parcel 57) from AR‑1 to AR‑2 to permit subdivision into two lots as shown in the applicant’s sketch. The recommendation was unanimous and will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for a final decision at the Aug. 5, 2025 meeting.

Chelsea, planning staff, told the board the application is complete and that the county’s future land use map projects the parcel as agricultural/residential. The applicant, who identified himself as Brian Vandenhutten and said the property is family land that is being partially gifted, confirmed the submitted sketch shows two lots and said the plan is for it to “stay family land.”

Board members discussed the difference between the applicant’s two‑lot plan and the theoretical maximum number of lots allowed under AR‑2 if no condition were imposed. One member said the two‑lot plan “is a lot different from a standpoint of impact to the roadway,” and the board favored a condition that would limit the parcel to the two lots in the application. The board noted planned future road work in the area, including a roundabout planned at Midland and Courthouse, but said the two‑lot proposal presented less traffic impact than a larger subdivision.

The board moved to recommend approval with the condition that the parcel be limited to two lots as presented; a second was recorded and the motion passed unanimously. Chelsea reminded the board that the rezoning takes effect only after development services reviews and signs the plat and after the plat is recorded. The item will be heard by the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 5.