County Commission to Vote on Land Use Ordinance Amendments Tuesday
The Stephens County Board of Commissioners will meet this evening, Dec. 12, when the Board will recognize the 2023 county Employee of the Year.
Topics for the meeting include consideration of adoption of amendments to two county ordinances.
First on the agenda is the public hearing and second reading for amendments to the Stephens County Manufactured Homes & Trailers Ordinance, followed by the public hearing and second reading for amendments to the Stephens County Land Use Ordinance.
Public hearings and the first readings of both amendments were held at the November 28 Board of Commissioners Meeting.
WNEG News spoke with County Administrator Christian Hamilton about both amendments and what they will mean for county residents if adopted.
On the amendments regarding travel trailers, Hamilton explained the change from a 60-days-per-year permit to a 60 consecutive day permit.
Regarding the amendments to the land use ordinance, Hamilton talked about the county’s change from a Euclidean style land use and zoning system to a pyramid style system.
He said there are certain exceptions, but county staff can quickly advise property owners on the specifics for their desired use, and added that the purpose of the amendments are to make the process easier for taxpayers.
A copy ordinances with amendments marked, is available here.
Also on Tuesday’s agenda is consideration of setting the schedule for Board of Commissioner meetings for 2024. The proposed meeting dates for 2024 is the same as currently held, with regular meetings to continue on 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, with work sessions to begin at 6 p.m., and the regular meeting to follow; and one meeting to be held the 2nd Tuesday in December at 6:00 p.m.
Also on the agenda is the selection of the Chairman and Vice Chair for 2024, and appointment of board members to various boards, including
Airport Authority – currently Chairman Dennis Bell
Buildings & Grounds – currently Chairman Dennis Bell and Chuck Wright
Chamber of Commerce – currently Chuck Wright
Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D Council – currently Chris Rickman
E911 Advisory – currently Debbie Whitlock and Chuck Wright
Emergency Services – currently Chairman Dennis Bell and Vice-Chairman Tara Simmons
Georgia Mountains Regional Commissioner – currently Vice-Chairman Tara Simmons
Health Board – currently Debbie Whitlock
Joint Services – currently Debbie Whitlock and Chris Rickman
Keep Toccoa-Stephens County Beautiful – currently Vice-Chairman Tara Simmons and
Chuck Wright
Roads & Bridges – currently Debbie Whitlock and Chairman Dennis Bell
Stephens County Development Authority – currently Chairman Dennis Bell
Stephens County Soil & Water Conservation – currently Chris Rickman
Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter – currently Vice-Chairman Tara Simmons and
Chris Rickman
Tuesday’s Stephens County Board of Commissioners meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse, 70 N. Alexander Street in Toccoa. The public is invited to attend.