Commission approves CUP for 315 Wells; action on 110 Stagecoach deferred amid litigation and neighborhood opposition

Cusseta–Chattahoochee County commissioners voted to approve a conditional‑use permit for 315 Wells St. on May 14, 2024, imposing conditions that the parcel be at least one acre (not landlocked), that the site pass a health‑department perk test and that the county issue a written confirmation letter before placement of the manufactured home.

The public hearing on 315 Wells drew support from nearby residents. Applicant Carlos Negrón told the commission he moved to the seven‑acre parcel in November and had completed site clean‑up and fencing, but still needed a septic/perk test. Commissioner Jason Frost moved for approval at the meeting and, after discussion, the commission recorded final approval by unanimous vote.

The commission also conducted a contentious public hearing on a second conditional‑use permit application for 110 Stagecoach Rd., a lot in the Ranch subdivision. Dozens of residents representing the Ranch, Farm and Village subdivisions urged the commission to reject the permit, saying a prior application had been denied and that the neighborhood is predominantly stick‑built homes. Resident Sheila Wilson said she had collected and would provide a petition of “50 plus” signatures opposing the permit; other speakers said approximately 42 residents had signed petitions opposing the change.

Several speakers accused the applicant — Commissioner Damon Hoyte — of flouting county ordinances and of actions that drew strong objections, including postings of incorrect hearing dates and, they said, removal of a previously placed trailer. Hoyte responded that he had hired an appraiser and maintained a right to apply for a CUP, saying an appraiser’s review indicated a manufactured home would not reduce property values.

Because litigation related to a prior CUP for the same neighborhood is pending, the commission moved to table action on the 110 Stagecoach permit. The minutes record a tabling to May 28 in the May 14 hearing minutes and a later discussion at the May 28 work session where a motion was made to defer further action until June 24; the record therefore shows a tabling pending the outcome of ongoing litigation and further recommendations from Planning & Zoning.

Chairman Charles Coffey noted the absence of a Planning & Zoning recommendation but said the commission wanted to proceed with hearings so applicants would not be left waiting for the next scheduled Planning & Zoning meeting. The county attorney advised that a lack of a Planning & Zoning report does not mean approval and that the board may table a decision.

What happens next: the county will not act on 110 Stagecoach while related litigation proceeds; the 315 Wells approval is conditioned on survey, health‑department approval and county confirmation, and placement may proceed only after those conditions are met.

Reporting note: the transcript contains inconsistent spellings of some resident names and varying summaries of petition sizes; petition counts are reported in public remarks as approximately 42 and in a separate reference as “50 plus.” The minutes do not include a written Planning & Zoning recommendation for either permit.