Gilmer County commissioners took another run at proposed land use ordinance changes.
Commissioners met jointly with the Planning Commission in a two and a half hour special meeting Feb. 8.
Residential designations R-1 and R-2, which were under scrutiny for increase lot size, will not be changed following the meeting.
“We essentially have some built-in safeguards,” said Chairman Charlie Paris.
At the beginning of the meeting, Paris said he had gotten calls and emails about the proposed changes both for and against.
Paris said he contacted representatives from the regional commission and department of community affairs. The representative told Paris he was surprised the board was worried about population density because density follows sewer lines. Gilmer County does not have an abundance of sewer lines.
Developers like building where there are sewer lines because it is cheaper than building with each home having its own septic system.
In other words, density can be controlled by the placement of sewer lines, Paris said.
“His response to me was, ‘Just don’t expand your sewer system’,” he said.
Due to this, Paris said he was fine not making changes to the R-1 and R-2 land requirements since it was not economically feasible to extend water and sewer lines throughout the county.
In addition, the county already has a comprehensive plan which details growth in the county. If the county follows the plan, there will not be the growth the board was trying to protect against, Paris said.
Commissioners did agree to change the Agricultural minimum acreage from 3 acres to 5 acres.
They also are looking at changing the hobby livestock designation in R-1 to just allow a small number of caged hens.
Post Commissioner Karleen Ferguson said she would like to look at the hobby livestock designation some more.
Commissioners decided to keep a new designation for campgrounds and RV parks which will require a minimum of 25 acres and a 300-foot buffer around the property.
The board also decided to limit RVs from being permanent residences in the future. Those in current use would be grandfathered in and would not be affected.
Discussion turned to roads.
“I think the biggest thing we are addressing here is the road situation,” said Post Commissioner Hubert Parker.
Following discussion, commissioners turned over the proposed road changes to County Attorney David Clark to put in writing.
Changes will deal with road size, shoulder sizes, right of ways, allowable grades and the requirements for roads depending on the size of developments. The goal is to require roads which will handle the traffic from the proposed development.
One change proposed for developments is a master plan which details the whole plan for the development before approval.
Clark was tasked with building a new draft of changes and sending it to the planning commission for approval. Commissioners will review the draft following the planning board.