Neighbors oppose mobile homes; commission approves one CUP, tables another amid litigation

Cusseta-Chattahoochee County commissioners on May 14 and again during May work sessions faced strong neighborhood opposition to efforts to place manufactured homes in single-family subdivisions, approving one conditional‑use permit (CUP) with conditions while tabling a second application amid pending litigation.

At a public hearing on May 14, Carlos Negron sought a CUP to place a new manufactured home and septic on 315 Wells St (parcel 009-0029). Negron told the commission he had cleaned the 7-acre parcel, obtained neighborhood support and was only awaiting a health-department perk test. Neighbors James Morton and Terrell Harris spoke in favor of allowing the mobile home, saying the county should not hold the applicant to an indefinite delay.

The commission discussed ordinance requirements including minimum acreage, survey and health‑department approval. After debate and motions, the commission approved the 315 Wells St CUP with conditions: the lot must include a minimum of one acre (not landlocked), the site must pass the county health department’s perk test and the applicant must receive a county confirmation letter. The approval was made on the record by motion (moved by Commissioner Damon Hoyte; seconded by Vice‑Chairman Timothy Biddle) and recorded as approved unanimously.

A second, more contentious hearing that evening involved 110 Stagecoach (parcel 010-022), an application associated with Commissioner Damon Hoyte. Dozens of neighbors from the Ranch, Farm and Village subdivisions spoke against allowing another manufactured home in an area they described as primarily stick‑built residences. Resident Matt McAdams said, “We do not understand why this is being brought up again,” noting the same or a similar request had been denied the prior year. Multiple speakers presented a petition and said they had collected roughly 40–50 signatures opposing the application.

Speakers raised several concerns: that the subdivision’s character would be altered, that previous enforcement had resulted in court action and that litigation connected to an earlier CUP remained unresolved. Sheila Wilson alleged that a commissioner had improperly posted hearing dates and had previously removed a trailer and mailboxes; she asked the commission to pursue ethics investigations through the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG). Commissioner Hoyte defended his application and said a manufactured home would not reduce property values, arguing he had the right to apply for a CUP.

Because Planning & Zoning had not submitted a formal recommendation, and because litigation related to a prior CUP was pending, the commission tabled the 110 Stagecoach matter for further review. The item was tabled at the May 14 meeting and subsequently re‑scheduled in the May 28 work session; at the May 28 session the commission moved to table the 110 Stagecoach CUP again pending the outstanding litigation, setting the next administrative milestone for further review.

Why it matters: CUPs change how land can be used in neighborhoods and often become proxy debates about neighborhood character, property values and equitable application of zoning rules. Residents said they sought policy consistency and enforcement of existing ordinances. Commissioners said they were constrained when Planning & Zoning had not issued a recommendation and when legal proceedings were unresolved.

What’s next: The 110 Stagecoach CUP remains tabled pending the pending litigation and any subsequent Planning & Zoning recommendation. The 315 Wells St CUP was approved conditionally; the applicant must demonstrate compliance with the county health department and survey requirements before a new home is sited.