Version 9 of changes to the Gilmer County land use ordinance is the one being advertised for a vote.
Gilmer County’s Board of Commissioners made the decision at the April 8 regular meeting.
“I’m glad there isn’t going to be a version 10,” said Chairman Charlie Paris. “This all started out over density. It really blossomed.”
Initially, commissioners were looking at increasing the lot sizes in residential and agricultural zoning designations to slow development in Gilmer County and keep it rural.
After some pushback from local landowners who wanted to be able to subdivide their land if they so chose, the commission took another look.
Paris said he learned development is limited by sewage line development. Right now, there are no major plans to develop sewer lines in Gilmer County. The changes to residential designations were abandoned.
Land requirements for an A-1 designation will be changed from 3 acres to 5 acres. This will take effect a year from the passage of the changes to give landowners time to adjust and divide their land if they want to under the old rule.
“We want to give them time to divide it out if they want to,” Paris said.
Other changes to the ordinance include road requirements and designations, subdivision regulation changes, guesthouse and number of parcel split changes. (See breakout.)
A new zoning designation for RV and camping lodging will be created. It will require a minimum of 25 acres and 300 foot setbacks.
A late question by Post Commissioner Hubert Parker almost led to a version 10. He asked about making a change to the high density residential designation which now allows four housing units per acre. He proposed taking it to 15.
Greater Gilmer Joint Development Authority Director Kent Sanford told the board workforce housing in Gilmer County is hard to find. The change would help.
County Attorney David Clark said he would want to delay the ordinance for another month to add standards for development of these homes, such as parking and erosion control.
Post Commissioner Karleen Ferguson proposed coming back and doing an overlay district to cover the designation.
Commissioners agreed to move forward with version 9 of the changes and look at an overlay district in the future.