Local developer asks Haralson County to permit clustered seven‑lot rural subdivision on 79 acres

Bruce Gail Smith told the board he bought a 79‑acre parcel years ago to stop a higher‑density development and that he now wants to sell seven 10‑ to 15‑acre homestead lots that would preserve roughly 35 acres of green space. Smith said the parcel previously had planning commission approval for 31 smaller lots but he prefers a clustered rural design for seven larger homesteads.

Smith asked the county to allow flexibility in the subdivision rules so he and buyers can use a private common driveway rather than separate flag‑lot access for each lot. "So those are the 2 things I'm requesting," he told commissioners—permission to market multiple lots within the county's three‑lots‑per‑year division limit and to allow shared driveway access where appropriate.

Planning and zoning staff told Smith the next step is a meeting to review the major and minor subdivision ordinances and to identify any variances that would be necessary. Commissioners said they would not decide that night and asked staff to meet with Smith and report back.

Next steps: Smith will meet with planning staff and county staff to explore access, road‑frontage and variance needs. Any formal application or variance request would follow the county’s established planning and zoning procedures and public hearings.