Pickens County planning staff and county attorney propose zoning code changes; commission recommends approval
March 11, 2024 | Pickens County, Georgia
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The Pickens County planning commission heard a detailed presentation from the county attorney on proposed amendments to the county zoning code aimed at complying with recent state changes and clarifying local procedures, then voted to recommend approval to the board.
"What you have before you is a series of a number of, amendments which were, in part initiated by, some comments from commissioners," the county attorney said, outlining the package. He described a key change in appeals language: "They've adopted a new, petition for review, procedure that just went into effect last summer," and said the local code language was updated to reflect that change.
Other technical edits the county attorney highlighted include allowing the board to recess rather than adjourn a public hearing so the hearing can remain open (replacing the need to call and advertise a new meeting), and standardizing published notice to a minimum of 30 days so one set of rules satisfies both "legislative" and "quasi-judicial" zoning decisions. He also said the draft removes a provision that previously allowed departures from formal procedures and adds language to require equal time for each side during public hearings and a timekeeper to enforce it.
The draft creates a streamlined process for applications that reduce residential density (for example, going from smaller to larger lots), permitting an expedited path that can move directly to the board — with implications for filing fees and process timing. The county attorney said the change is intended to reflect administrative realities and to avoid procedural loopholes.
Following discussion, a board member moved to recommend approval of the amendments as presented; the motion was seconded and carried by voice/raised hands. The transcript records the commission's recommendation; the text of the ordinance amendments will move forward for final action in accordance with the county's legislative process.
"What you have before you is a series of a number of, amendments which were, in part initiated by, some comments from commissioners," the county attorney said, outlining the package. He described a key change in appeals language: "They've adopted a new, petition for review, procedure that just went into effect last summer," and said the local code language was updated to reflect that change.
Other technical edits the county attorney highlighted include allowing the board to recess rather than adjourn a public hearing so the hearing can remain open (replacing the need to call and advertise a new meeting), and standardizing published notice to a minimum of 30 days so one set of rules satisfies both "legislative" and "quasi-judicial" zoning decisions. He also said the draft removes a provision that previously allowed departures from formal procedures and adds language to require equal time for each side during public hearings and a timekeeper to enforce it.
The draft creates a streamlined process for applications that reduce residential density (for example, going from smaller to larger lots), permitting an expedited path that can move directly to the board — with implications for filing fees and process timing. The county attorney said the change is intended to reflect administrative realities and to avoid procedural loopholes.
Following discussion, a board member moved to recommend approval of the amendments as presented; the motion was seconded and carried by voice/raised hands. The transcript records the commission's recommendation; the text of the ordinance amendments will move forward for final action in accordance with the county's legislative process.
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