Planning commission approves two variances and one rezoning, defers major PUD to commissioners

The Stephens County Planning Commission on Dec. 3 approved three routine land-use actions and recommended the Board of Commissioners delay action on a larger Planned Unit Development (PUD).

Smaller approvals included:

- A rezoning request from Veil Garland to rezone a 4.05-acre parcel (parcel 021d005) from Agricultural Intensive to Agricultural Residential to enable residential use; staff recommended approval and the commission approved the rezoning by voice vote.

- A variance requested by Wayne and Janice Segars (parcel 018b062c) for a reduced rear-yard setback (requesting a total 4-foot rear setback for an accessory carport where 10 feet is required); staff cited utility easements and topography and recommended approval; the commission approved the variance by voice vote.

- A lot-size and setback variance for the Edith Kinsey Youngblood Estate for a proposed split resulting in parcels of 1.00 and 0.69 acres and existing accessory structures encroaching on setbacks; staff recommended approval; the public hearing closed but a formal vote was not recorded in the transcript segment.

The commission also received a development plan presentation from AK New Ventures LLC for a mixed-use PUD on county parcels (see separate coverage). After more than an hour of public comment largely opposing the PUD and asking for more detail, the commission voted to recommend the Board of Commissioners table the PUD decision to allow developers to respond to traffic, drainage and land-use questions. The Board of Commissioners will consider the PUD on Dec. 13 at 8 a.m.

The planning commission’s approvals were advisory recommendations to the Board of Commissioners where required; staff said technical reviews, state EPD permitting for land disturbance, and full site-plan reviews will follow for any approved rezoning.