Pickens County hearing tables Holly Family Trust rezoning after residents cite erosion, water-quality harms
May 13, 2024 | Pickens County, Georgia
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The Pickens County Board of Commissioners on an evening hearing tabled a request by the Holly Family Trust to rezone 2 acres at 5545 Cove Road from agricultural to rural residential after extended public testimony about erosion and water-quality problems.
Jerry Corey, who identified himself as representing the family trust, told the board the 2-acre parcel is part of a larger 21.72-acre holding and that the family plans to sell the small tract to allow a relative to build a home. Corey said the parcel is located near Cory Camp Road and that the family’s intent is residential use rather than broader commercial development.
Multiple neighbors urged the board to reconsider. Don Cloud said his family has documented landscape change and water impacts upstream: “We estimate that we have lost 50 to 60 acres of mostly hardwoods upstream,” he told the hearing, describing increased runoff and sediment delivery to downstream creeks. Dana Daniel, speaking for the Daniel family, said she had water tests and specialist reports and urged denial, saying, “Our water is not clear anymore. It’s been destroyed.”
Citizens described repeated erosion, bank loss and a culvert installed decades ago that now functions differently because of higher runoff. Several speakers said past clear‑cutting and land‑disturbing activity since about 2016 changed channel velocity and increased sediment and turbidity in springs used for household water. One speaker said the family had pursued legal action in the past to address water‑quality harms.
County planning staff said the 2-acre lot is above the stream area and not in the mapped floodplain for the property, and they noted that state and county permitting — including erosion‑and‑sediment (E&S) plans and set buffers required when more than one acre is disturbed — would apply during permitting. Staff recommended the board not act immediately so outstanding title and technical issues could be verified.
After discussion and multiple requests for a field review, the board moved to table the rezoning to the June meeting to allow staff follow‑up and for commissioners who wish to do a site visit to coordinate with residents.
The action stops short of approval; the matter is scheduled for return to the board in June with additional information and the opportunity for commissioners to view the property.
What’s next: The rezoning request remains pending; staff will verify title and mapping details, and the board expects additional materials and, likely, a site visit before taking a final vote.
Jerry Corey, who identified himself as representing the family trust, told the board the 2-acre parcel is part of a larger 21.72-acre holding and that the family plans to sell the small tract to allow a relative to build a home. Corey said the parcel is located near Cory Camp Road and that the family’s intent is residential use rather than broader commercial development.
Multiple neighbors urged the board to reconsider. Don Cloud said his family has documented landscape change and water impacts upstream: “We estimate that we have lost 50 to 60 acres of mostly hardwoods upstream,” he told the hearing, describing increased runoff and sediment delivery to downstream creeks. Dana Daniel, speaking for the Daniel family, said she had water tests and specialist reports and urged denial, saying, “Our water is not clear anymore. It’s been destroyed.”
Citizens described repeated erosion, bank loss and a culvert installed decades ago that now functions differently because of higher runoff. Several speakers said past clear‑cutting and land‑disturbing activity since about 2016 changed channel velocity and increased sediment and turbidity in springs used for household water. One speaker said the family had pursued legal action in the past to address water‑quality harms.
County planning staff said the 2-acre lot is above the stream area and not in the mapped floodplain for the property, and they noted that state and county permitting — including erosion‑and‑sediment (E&S) plans and set buffers required when more than one acre is disturbed — would apply during permitting. Staff recommended the board not act immediately so outstanding title and technical issues could be verified.
After discussion and multiple requests for a field review, the board moved to table the rezoning to the June meeting to allow staff follow‑up and for commissioners who wish to do a site visit to coordinate with residents.
The action stops short of approval; the matter is scheduled for return to the board in June with additional information and the opportunity for commissioners to view the property.
What’s next: The rezoning request remains pending; staff will verify title and mapping details, and the board expects additional materials and, likely, a site visit before taking a final vote.
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