Planning commission approves Fitzpatrick rezoning to allow livestock on homestead

The Paulding County Planning Commission voted to approve a rezoning that will allow a property owner to keep livestock on a nearly 9-acre homestead.

Staff introduced Application 2026-01-Z as a request to rezone 8.89 acres from R-2 suburban residential to A-1 agricultural at an address listed in staff remarks as 92 Whippoorwill Path. Staff recommended approval. The application text in the agenda indicated livestock would be allowed with pigs excluded.

Janet Fitzpatrick, who identified herself as the applicant, told the commission she and her husband moved to Paulding County in 2007 and want a homestead for chickens, possibly horses, goats and a donkey. "We're gonna eat the eggs," Fitzpatrick said, describing primarily personal use rather than commercial farming.

Staff reminded the commission that an A-1 district requires shelters or stalls for animals and standard setback spacing for structures (staff cited 50 feet from side property lines and 100 feet from the front). Fitzpatrick said the intent was a homestead rather than a commercial farm.

A motion to approve the rezoning was made by Mister Steele and seconded by Mister Wilkes; the chair called the vote and the commission moved to approve the application. The transcript records the chair's call of the vote as "All in favor, 8 5 0 and 1," language that is unclear in the record; the article notes the application was approved but the transcript does not provide a clear, unambiguous tally.

Next steps: The rezoning approval will be reflected in staff records; any required building setbacks and animal-structure rules must be met under A-1 zoning and applicable county regulations.