Commissioners approve one rezoning, hear asphalt-plant proposal and a request for a temporary poultry-house moratorium

The Coffee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a rezoning by Carlton Dorminey that will change 10 acres at 3662 Highway 32 West from R1 (Residential) to C (Commercial) after a public hearing that produced no public comments.

Code Enforcement Director Jason Whiddon introduced the rezoning item and said the applicant plans to build a commercial building. The board opened and closed the public hearing at 9:40 a.m.; County Attorney Tony Rowell polled the commission for conflicts of interest and none were reported. Commissioner Jimmy Kitchens moved to approve the rezoning; Commissioner Ted O’Steen seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously.

Whiddon also presented first readings — not final actions — on several other land-use items. A first reading was held for Jeremy Dorminey’s request to rezone 14.29 acres at 271 Thompson Drive from AG to Commercial; the Planning Commission recommended approval and staff agreed. The Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning request by CT Realty Investment Group for 50 acres at 450 Chaney Road from AG to W-HI (Warehouse/Heavy Industrial); county staff, however, did not recommend approval. Matt Seale of the Coffee County Economic Development Authority told commissioners that CT Realty plans to build an asphalt plant, said prior water issues have been resolved, and noted the current application is for 50 acres rather than a previously proposed 140 acres; citizens were invited to visit a similar plant in Lowndes County. No final vote on CT Realty was recorded — the item remains at first reading.

Whiddon reviewed additional first readings for rezoning at 1187 Squire Road (Charles Griffis, 1.82 acres AG to C for a mechanic shop) and 361 Quincey Batten Loop (Bobby Guthrie, 5.05 acres R2 to AG to place a double-wide mobile home). Whiddon also reviewed two subdivision applications: Thomas E. Butts (435 Deer Run Road) for a 7-acre subdivision (applicant will correct plats to show 1-acre lots before the next meeting) and Memphis Enterprises, LLC (Timberwolf Trail) for a 25-acre subdivision; county staff will evaluate Timberwolf Trail’s road adequacy with the Road Department.

During public comments, Rod Freeman (390 Gillis Road) read a prepared statement and submitted a draft resolution asking the board to adopt a temporary moratorium on new poultry houses unless they were already approved or replacing houses destroyed by Hurricane Helene. Freeman’s statement and the draft resolution were attached to the meeting record. The board adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

Why it matters: the Carlton Dorminey rezoning moves a parcel to commercial use; the CT Realty application raises local land‑use, industrial-compatibility and infrastructure questions and drew a split between the Planning Commission and county staff. The poultry-house moratorium request signals local concern about concentrated animal feeding operations and their local effects.

What’s next: Carlton Dorminey’s rezoning is effective per local process; CT Realty’s item will return for further hearings and staff analysis; the poultry moratorium request was presented as a citizen petition and would require formal introduction as a resolution if the board chooses to act.