Commissioners voted Tuesday to institute a six month moratorium on some zoning applications in the southeastern portion of the county.
What Commissioners Were Asked to Consider
County officials believe time is needed to review and revise zoning, subdivision, and development ordinances and regulations in anticipation of the “significant impact that the new Hyundai plant in Bryan County will have on residential growth in Southeastern Bulloch County.” County staff asked commissioners to approve a six-month moratorium on certain zoning applications.
Specifically:
- R-40, R-25, and R-15 single-family residential
- R-3 multi-family residential.
- R-2 two-family residential
- PUD-1 is Planned Residential Development
- MHP – Manufactured Home Park
Six months from Tuesday’s commission meeting is February 10, 2023, but the resolution, as currently written, allows for one extension of up to 180 additional days.
The moratorium will not impact applications that go before Planning & Zoning, but are based on zoning ‘at the time the moratorium takes effect’ and do not require a change.
Presentation by County Manager
Couch told Commissioners Tuesday morning that the county is trying to make plans for utilities in the long term – particularly water and sewer infrastructure – and an amendment to the county’s long-term comprehensive plan.
“We don’t want to do anything because it sounds politically sexy,” Couch told commissioners. “This is going to take a lot of time. But we are going to outline everything that can be streamlined, what comes before us routinely, and we are going to look at much needed changes to the zoning and subdivision codes.”
There was no discussion by Commissioners, so Chairman Roy Thompson called for a vote. Commissioner Walter Gibson made a motion and the measure passed unanimously.
Bryan and Effingham counties have been grappling with growth at an astronomical rate of growth which has put significant pressure on their infrastructure, public safety, and educational resources. Citizens routinely fill commission meetings to express dissatisfaction with the continued approval of expansive subdivisions while infrastructure continues to lag. The job growth from the Hyundai plant is expected to exacerbate that problem.
https://thegeorgiavirtue.com/wordpress/1/2022/08/Attachment-2615.pdf
