Franklin Co. Commissioner Expresses Concern over Zoning Ordinances

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Franklin County Commissioner David Strickland is concerned about the kinds of businesses that might be coming to Franklin County.

At last week’s Board of Commission work session, Strickland asked that Franklin County staff take a look at the current zoning ordinances.

Strickland said he is concerned about Franklin County’s lack of controls should a plant similar to the Wilbros facility that located in Toccoa decide to locate in Franklin County.

“I just want us to look at and make sure that our t’s are crossed and our i’s are dotted because we don’t want what happened in Toccoa in Stephens County to happen in Franklin County,” he said. “We want to make sure if something like that were to come to Franklin County that we could manage it and place it where it would protect the other businesses and citizens.”

Strickland said he had received calls from concerned citizens in the Royston area about a plant similar to Wilbros going in at an old plant off State Route 17 in that area.

“I have had calls where a building right outside the City of Royston has been purchased and someone from Hall County is looking at coming to Franklin County and I don’t think they’re leaving Hall County voluntarily. I just want to make sure we have everything in place,” Strickland said.

Franklin County Zoning and Planning Director John Phillips said he has also had calls from people in that area about the plant.

Phillips said the callers are telling him someone wants to put a chicken litter processing plant in the old carpet factory to turn the litter into fertilizer.

However, Phillips said he has not had any confirmation on that and has not been contacted by anyone wanting to take over the old factory.

In the meantime, County Manager Beth Thomas said Franklin County is prepared should such a company decide to move here.

Thomas added that the ordinances and codes in Franklin County were updated in late 2014.

“I believe we’re covered on that and our Planning Director is on top of the issue and doing a phenomenal job of monitoring it,” Thomas told the Board.

Thomas said a link to Franklin County’s ordinances is on the Franklin County Web site at franklincountyga.com.