County Planning Commission resolves to maintain open spaces

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The Coffee County Planning Commission stated during the September meeting a continuing effort to address growth while maintaining open spaces while updating some of the language of the county’s zoning resolutions over the coming months.

“I would also like you to notice the purpose of this (document),” Planning Chairman Steve Cunningham said, referring to the county’s zoning resolutions that were written in the late 90s to early 2000s.

“They really put an emphasis on providing open space, protecting agriculture and protecting our natural resources,” Cunningham said. “We need to keep those purposes in mind when we make decisions.”

The Planning Commission can only recommend amendments to the zoning resolutions for the full legislative body to approve. The Planning Commission will during the next few meetings continue to read and suggest amendments dealing with discrepancies in the resolutions.

During the meeting, members recommended striking a portion that addressed cluster residential developments. The section allows certain developments to have homes clustered in one section and permanent open spaces in another similar to urban multi-zone developments that could include food, drug stores, hair salons or similar commercial facilities.

County Mayor Dennis Hunt said the whole section was impractical and was more applicable to a municipal area.

The committee unanimously approved a motion to recommend the removal of the section from the codes.

The Planning Commission will address the Article IV concerning zoning districts during the October meeting.