Planning commission recommends seasonal cabin permit in Houston Township for BARDA Family Trust

The Houston County Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Houston County Board approve a conditional‑use permit for the BARDA Family Trust to place a small, seasonal cabin on land in Houston Township.

Applicant Paul Barta told commissioners his family has owned the parcel since the late 1990s and that the cabin would replace a seasonal camper to make management and hunting access easier. "My hope is that we'd be allowed to have a conditional‑use permit for a small cabin, so we wouldn't have to worry about maintaining a camper," Barta said.

Staff and field reviewers told the commission that the proposed cabin site sits on slightly higher ground adjacent to, but above, a wet area and that the footprint of a cabin would be minimal. Staff reiterated county restrictions on cabins: cabins may not have permanent foundations and no utilities are proposed or allowed for cabins under the applicable ordinance language reviewed at the hearing.

Because cabins cannot have permanent foundations, staff said a portable toilet will be used temporarily for septage and all septage will be disposed of off‑site. Commissioners noted an existing township access and that a short walk from parking near the township road would serve the cabin.

After reviewing required conditional‑use findings (site limitations, water quality, soils and compatibility with neighboring properties) and confirming that an erosion‑control review and soils survey support the proposal, the commission voted to accept the findings and recommend approval with two conditions, including compliance with all applicable laws and county right‑of‑entry for compliance checks. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Houston County Board of Commissioners for final action at the March 17 meeting.

What happens next: The commission's recommendation is advisory; the county board will hold a final hearing on March 17. The applicant was told he does not have to be present and staff will follow up with permit‑related requirements if the county board approves the recommendation.