Pickens County planning staff preview rezoning requests and introduce new director

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners reviewed several land-use applications at a work session where the county introduced Charles Reese as its new Planning and Development Director. Planning staff, led by Ashley (Assistant Director, Planning and Development), summarized five applications that will appear at the next board meeting, including rezones and a conditional-use permit for an event venue at an existing farm winery.

Ashley said staff recommended approval of Donna Jackson’s proposal to rezone 5 acres of an 8.86-acre tract on Hidnco Road from agricultural to small-ag to allow sale of a 5-acre parcel while the remaining 3 acres are combined with an adjoining tract. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to accept the staff recommendation.

A second item involved Kenny and Kathy Sears on Carlin Road, who seek to change roughly 13.5 acres from SR zoning to agricultural to accommodate a single hammerhead access and livestock; staff recommended approval and the Planning Commission likewise recommended approval. Christopher Joyner asked to rezone a 9.03-acre, nonconforming agricultural tract on Bridal Road to rural residential with a proposed split into 3- and 6-acre parcels. Ashley reported that staff had recommended approval but the Planning Commission voted to deny the staff recommendation; Joyner raised concerns about septic permitting if multiple dwellings are built, and staff clarified that environmental-health rules require a separate septic system for each house.

Ashley also described a request from Elizabeth and Etulago Marceau to rezone a 10-acre portion of a larger tract on Salem Church Road to create four ~2-acre single-family lots; staff recommended approval and the Planning Commission voted 5–0 to accept that recommendation. Staff will confirm road-widths and water-service availability on Salem Church Road before the hearing.

One conditional-use application drew extended questions: a farm winery seeking permission to operate an event venue and hold up to 12 weddings per year. Ashley said proposed conditions include a 12-wedding annual cap, attendance limited by the fire marshal, mandatory shuttle service to reduce on-road parking, and sound-mitigation measures; the Planning Commission recommended approval 4–1. Commissioners asked staff to obtain and circulate the venue’s shuttle logistics and to follow up on enforcement mechanisms for the wedding cap, which Ashley said the planning office would need to determine in consultation with the marshal’s office.

The planning items will return to the board at its next regular meeting for formal consideration; staff posted the Planning Commission meeting video for public review and said it will circulate additional logistics and utility confirmations to commissioners ahead of final votes.