Pickens County adopts 90‑day moratorium on new industrial designations and approves multiple rezonings, winery conditional use

Pickens County commissioners on the evening’s agenda adopted a 90‑day moratorium on new industrial land‑use designations and approved a slate of rezoning requests and a conditional use for a winery venue.

The board voted to impose the moratorium to give county staff time to update land‑use ordinances to cover emerging industrial activities, including “crypto mining,” and authorized the chairman to sign the resolution declaring the 90‑day pause. “This is a moratorium on new industrial land use designations,” the chair said when introducing the item, noting the need for ordinance updates.

The board also approved multiple rezoning requests. RZ190631 (Donna Sue Jackson, Hidden Cove Road) changed a 5‑acre parcel from Agricultural to Small Ag to facilitate a proposed sale and parcel combination; planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval and the board followed that recommendation. RZ190659 (Kenny and Kathy Spears, Carlin Road) moved a 13.225‑acre tract from Suburban Residential to Agriculture to enable a single‑family dwelling and a lot split; that request also followed the planning commission’s 5–0 recommendation.

On RZ190662 (Christopher Joiner, Bridal Road), the board faced split recommendations (staff recommended approval; the planning commission recommended denial). Commissioners approved a compromise to reclassify 6 acres to Small Ag and 3 acres to Rural Residential based on an exhibit presented at the hearing. RZ190663 (Elizabeth, Salem Church Road) was approved to rezone 10 acres from Agricultural to Rural Residential; staff had recommended approval and the planning commission voted 5–0 in favor.

The board also approved a conditional use for Lakeside Valley Vineyards (applicant: Susan Anthony) to operate a winery venue with multiple conditions recommended by planning staff and the commission: the winery may be closed to the public during some private events; weddings are limited to 12 annually; attendance caps will be set by the fire marshal; shuttle service must be provided for events of 50 or more; and amplified music is restricted, with music required to end by 9:30 p.m. except on New Year’s Eve. The planning commission recommended approval 4–1 with conditions; the board adopted that recommendation. When a commissioner asked, “Who’s gonna be the one that enforces the number of weddings?” planning staff replied that the development office would be notified and that applicants would coordinate logistics with staff.

The board’s votes were procedural and followed planning recommendations in most cases; no appeals or litigation were announced at the meeting. Next procedural steps for the moratorium and ordinance changes will be for staff to draft ordinance modifications and return them to the board for consideration within the moratorium period.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting: the moratorium period is 90 days from the date of the resolution; Lakeside Valley Vineyards’ wedding cap is 12 events annually; shuttle requirements apply to gatherings of 50 or more; the fire marshal determines maximum occupancy for events.

The board recessed for an executive session later in the meeting and did not take additional public votes on land‑use items that evening.